No Clear Winner in Sweden's Election Amid Right-Wing and Left-Wing Stalemate

Results from Sweden’s general election on Monday revealed a close contest, with no clear winner emerging, prompting the current prime minister and the center-left opposition leader to declare their readiness to take office, while the right lost some of its momentum.

With nearly 90% of votes counted, four opposition parties led by Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson retained a single-seat majority in the 349-member parliament over a center-right coalition led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, which includes the right-wing anti-immigration Sweden Democrats.

Andersson, 59, who was Sweden’s first female prime minister between 2021 and 2022, said: "We are currently leading. If this holds, Sweden will have a new government," according to AFP.

Yet her party, which has governed Scandinavia for most of the 20th century and remains the largest in Sweden, also appeared headed for its worst result in over a century, securing just 28% of the vote.

In the meantime, outgoing Prime Minister Kristersson, whose moderate conservative party received 19.9% of the vote, stated that if results remain unchanged, he would respect Andersson’s efforts to form a government in cooperation with the three other left-leaning parties.

However, he pointed to fundamental disagreements among the four parties—particularly between the Left Party and the Center Party—making it unlikely they could reach an agreement on a governing program.

Kristersson told his supporters: "So even if tonight’s result stays as is, I will explore whether there are any viable options within this non-socialist parliamentary majority to form a workable government."

He added: "Who will govern Sweden in the coming years remains an unanswered question."

In a surprising turn, the far-right Sweden Democrats party declined for the first time since entering parliament in 2010 and are no longer the country’s second-largest party.

Party member Julia Kronlid told AFP: "Of course, it’s disappointing that we’re no longer the second-largest party in the polls. But the path isn’t over yet, and circumstances can change. In the last elections, the balance ultimately shifted at the end."

"Mama Mia" meets "Magda"

Social Democratic candidate Magdalena Andersson is seeking a return to power since 2022.

Known affectionately as "Magda" by Swedes, she led the race during a campaign dominated by health and purchasing power issues, facing incumbent Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who aimed for a new term. The gap narrowed in the final days.

Kristersson (62) told AFP he wanted to stay in office for another four years to "make Sweden great again," borrowing Donald Trump’s famous slogan. He added, defending his record of strict immigration policies and crime-fighting measures: "We used to be known for daily shootings and killings. Today, we’re recognized for our highly successful entrepreneurs."

Kristersson, originally allied with the Sweden Democrats in parliament, had promised to bring the far-right party into his government if elected, sparking opposition backlash.

During her final campaign rally on Saturday, Magdalena Andersson said: "It’s now up to voters: Do you prefer a government led by me? Or one dominated by the far right?"

This issue sparked intense polarization across Swedish society, reaching even the iconic band ABBA, whose member Benny Andersson reworked the song "Mamma Mia" into "Magdalena" and performed it outside the Social Democratic Party headquarters.

Will Magda return to power?

The road ahead remains long, as unlike the right-wing bloc, the left is deeply fragmented, composed of a wide range of parties stretching from center to left, often holding divergent views.

Anders Sandström from Lund University told AFP: "It will take time, and they won’t agree immediately."

Outside the Social Democratic Party headquarters, where festive atmosphere prevailed Sunday evening, Emilie Vikström Melin acknowledged the difficulty: "The situation is tough. But I have complete trust in Magdalena—she’s a seasoned negotiator with a plan."