Voting under way in Sweden with far right eyeing first role in government

Key Points:

• Voting is underway in Sweden's closely contested election, with the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) potentially entering government for the first time amid a polarized campaign marked by personal attacks and controversial ads.
• The right-leaning Tidö coalition, which includes the Moderates, Christian Democrats, Liberals, and supported by SD, seeks to continue its four-year governance, while the left bloc is led by the Social Democrats alongside the Centre, Green, and Left parties.
• SD has shifted from a supporting role to demanding a prominent government position if the right bloc wins, campaigning on anti-immigration rhetoric and controversial slogans reminiscent of Donald Trump’s style.
• The campaign has been marred by accusations of sexism, misinformation, and concerns over ties to Russian propaganda involving an SD parliament member’s partner.
• Key election issues include healthcare, law and order, immigration, and the economy, with parties focusing heavily on personal finance promises in a tightly fought race where coalition talks are expected to be lengthy regardless of the outcome.