The left leads in Sweden, according to exit polls; the right and far right are losing ground

The left-wing opposition is leading in Sweden’s parliamentary elections, according to exit polls published after polling stations closed. Official results are expected in the coming hours.

A poll conducted by public broadcaster SVT at 20:00 GMT indicated 51.3% for left-wing parties and 46.8% for the right-wing bloc, backed by the far right. The Sweden Democrats (SD) are expected to see a decline in electoral support for the first time since entering Parliament in 2010.

A separate poll conducted on election day by broadcaster TV4 also indicated an advance for centre-left parties.

Exit polls are usually a relevant indicator of the final result, but they have not always been accurate in Sweden. In the 2022 election, a poll predicted victory for the left-wing bloc led by Magdalena Andersson, but the election was won by a right-wing coalition led by Ulf Kristersson, the current prime minister.