stockholmReuters —
Public broadcaster SVT reported on Wednesday that Sweden’s centre-left opposition narrowly defeated the incumbent right-wing ruling party after 99% of votes were counted in Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
As of 4:47 p.m. GMT (12:47 p.m. ET), only 26,169 votes separated the two blocs, with less than 1% of the constituencies remaining, and opposition leader Magdalena Andersson’s party of the Social Democratic Party won 175 seats in the 349-seat National Assembly, suggesting a change of government.
SVT stated, “Since the possibility of a reversal is extremely low at this stage, we can confidently say that the opposition party will secure the largest number of seats in this election.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing ruling party, which includes the far-right Sweden Democrats, was on track to win 174 seats, according to data from Sweden’s election authorities.
The agency is currently counting ballots that arrive late from home and abroad, and said the work could last into Thursday before all votes are counted.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
