Key facts
- Sweden's center-left bloc is projected to win the general election by a narrow margin.
- The left bloc has a three-seat lead over the right-wing alliance with 95% of results declared.
- Magdalena Andersson, leader of the Social Democrats, is poised to return as prime minister.
- The Swedish Election Authority projected the left bloc winning 176 seats to 173 for the right-wing bloc.
- Coalition negotiations have begun following the election.
- The far-right Sweden Democrats appear unlikely to enter government for the first time.
STOCKHOLM — Sweden's political parties have launched coalition negotiations as the center-left bloc, led by Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson, holds a narrow projected lead in the general election. With 95% of votes counted, Andersson's bloc has a three-seat advantage over the right-leaning parties led by outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The Swedish Election Authority projects the center-left bloc will win 176 seats to 173 for the right-wing bloc. This outcome could prevent the far-right Sweden Democrats from entering government for the first time, though many of their policy ideas have become mainstream.
Andersson has begun the process of trying to form a new government, while Kristersson is also exploring coalition options. The Centre party indicated it would seek a government with a "clear centre-right character" in talks with the Social Democrats, while the Liberals and Christian Democrats have stated they will not work with the Social Democrats.
Final election results are expected by the weekend, after overseas votes are counted on Wednesday. The new parliament is scheduled to convene on September 28, with the earliest date for a prime minister suggestion on September 29.