Swedish Opposition Leads Ahead of Election

Sweden’s center-left opposition holds a 10 percentage point lead over Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing coalition with less than four weeks to go before the parliamentary election. According to a poll for public broadcaster SVT, “only a miracle” could prevent a change of government.

The four left-leaning parties have a combined 53.9% support, projected to give them 196 seats. The governing coalition stands at 43.9%, equivalent to 153 seats. The Verian poll surveyed about 3,000 voters between 3 and 16 August.

The results suggest that Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson is likely to return as prime minister after four years in opposition. Her party remains the country’s largest with 30.5% support, up 0.2 percentage points from the 2022 election.

The campaign has focused primarily on the cost of living, security, immigration, crime and energy supplies. The election will take place on 13 September.

(Reuters, bak)