Swedes head to the polls this Sunday in a tight general election that will determine the future direction of the country. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and opposition leader Magdalena Andersson of the Social Democrats are battling for the premiership. The result will either shift the nation back toward the liberalism it has long been known for or bring a far-right party into government for the first time.
Prime Minister Kristersson leads a four-party alliance that includes the populist Sweden Democrats. Kristersson has stated that the far right could join his government if his bloc wins, which would move the party from untouchable pariah to coalition partner. Some believe the country's reputation as a global champion of human rights is at stake.
Opinion polls currently show the center-left opposition alliance holding a narrow lead, with one poll indicating a gap of 0.3 points. However, this lead has narrowed considerably in the final days of the campaign. While the right and far right championed immigration and security, voters have also weighed migration, crime, and the economy, with purchasing power, education, and health care taking precedence.