Sweden's centre-left leads after election that could halt slide to the right

Sweden's centre-left opposition looked set on Monday to form the next government after preliminary results gave it a narrow three-seat lead over the right-wing ruling bloc, with most votes counted from Sunday's election. Left-leaning parties backing Social Democrats leader Magdalena Andersson were projected to win 176 seats in the 349-seat parliament, against 173 for Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's right-wing alliance. An opposition victory would reverse Sweden's four-year shift to the right on immigration and criminal justice — and keep the far-right Sweden Democrats, which lost ground for the first time since entering parliament in 2010, out of government. Final tallies, including overseas votes, are due Wednesday; both sides have been cautious with hundreds of districts still outstanding. Andersson faces a tricky coalition: the Centre Party refuses to share power with the Left Party, while disagreements remain over tax and migration policy. Analysts say even a centre-left government is unlikely to fully reverse Sweden's tough asylum regime. Source: Reuters Question: Can Andersson stitch together a stable coalition from a fragmented centre-left? https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedish-centre-left-opposition-pole-position-take-power-after-tight-election-2026-09-14/