Key facts
- Swedish Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson is campaigning on a promise of unity and cooperation.
- Andersson previously served as Sweden's first female prime minister in 2021.
- Her previous term was cut short but she later completed a 10-month tenure.
- Andersson is campaigning on promises of increased welfare spending and a fairer tax system.
- Polls indicate her left-wing bloc's lead has diminished.
- Internal divisions exist within her bloc on energy policy and taxation.
Magdalena Andersson, leader of Sweden's Social Democrats, is campaigning on a platform of unity and cooperation as she seeks to return to the prime minister's office following Sunday's election. Despite her efforts to present a unifying force after years of center-right governance backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats, internal divisions within her own left-wing bloc on key issues like energy policy and taxation present significant challenges.
Andersson, a former national swimmer described as hardworking and demanding, first became Sweden's prime minister in 2021, making history as the country's first female leader. Her initial term was notably brief, lasting less than 12 hours due to a coalition partner's withdrawal, though she later completed a 10-month term leading a single-party minority government. During her premiership, she managed Sweden's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its application to join NATO in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Although her party was voted out of office in 2022, Andersson remains the most trusted politician among Swedes, according to polls.