Sweden's Social Democrats poised for power as bloc leads in close election

The Swedish Election Authority is expected to confirm the preliminary outcome on Thursday. This election is one of the tightest in recent Swedish history, presenting voters with a stark choice between a new left-wing government or the inclusion of far-right ministers in power for the first time.

Swedish public broadcaster SVT declared the election for Andersson's side on Wednesday. Her Social Democrats, the largest party in Sweden, have the backing of potential coalition partners: the Greens, the Center Party, and the Left Party. Kristersson's conservative Moderates have been campaigning with the Christian Democrats, the Liberals, and the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats. Kristersson's allies anticipate he will not concede defeat until Andersson successfully proves her majority in a parliamentary vote, which is not expected before September 29 at the earliest. Coalition negotiations are set to intensify once the final results are official.