Sweden election becomes tight race, as hard right eyes role in government

Key Points:

• Sweden's general election is a close contest between the left-wing bloc, led by Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson, and the right-wing bloc, led by conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who has promised cabinet positions to hard-right Sweden Democrats (SD) allies if re-elected.
• Latest polls show the left-wing bloc with a slight lead of around 3.2%, with the Social Democrats at 28.6% and the Sweden Democrats at 18.3%, indicating a tight race among Sweden's eight major parties.
• The Sweden Democrats, a party with neo-Nazi roots that has become Sweden's second-largest party, currently supports the centre-right government but has never held ministerial roles; their potential entry into government marks a significant political shift.
• Key election issues include national security, gang crime, welfare spending, and immigration policies, with the SD's anti-immigration stance influencing voter behavior and coalition dynamics.
• Controversies during the campaign include allegations against an SD official for spreading pro-Russian messages, which the party is investigating, while experts note that SD's inclusion in government could normalize the party but may also deter some centre-right voters.