Sweden's Left Wins by Three Seats; PM Quits
Sweden's Left Wins by Three Seats; PM Quits
The News
Sweden's center-left opposition, led by former prime minister Magdalena Andersson, won Sunday's parliamentary election by three seats, and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson resigned Thursday after the loss.
Sweden's election authority said the opposition bloc took 176 seats to the governing right-wing bloc's 173 as the count of remaining ballots ended Thursday, according to Reuters.
The margin is one of the slimmest in modern Swedish politics, and it leaves Andersson facing difficult coalition talks before she can form a government.
The Numbers
176 — seats for the center-left opposition bloc.
173 — seats for the incumbent right-wing bloc.
99% — share of ballots counted when public broadcaster SVT first called the race on Wednesday.
Timeline
Swedes vote in the national parliamentary election. The result is too close to call and days of limbo follow as ballots are counted.
With 99% of votes counted, public broadcaster SVT says the center-left opposition has defeated the incumbent right-wing governing bloc by the slimmest of margins. Bloomberg reports the Social Democrat-led bloc is set to win.
The election authority completes the count and confirms a 176-173 result. Kristersson announces his resignation.
Reactions
Kristersson, the conservative incumbent, announced his resignation as the final count was confirmed, France 24 reported — an acknowledgment that his bloc had lost its majority.
Andersson's side claimed a narrow win, France 24 reported, while the BBC said the left-wing opposition parties now look set to form the next government.
Bloomberg framed the outcome as the center-left sealing a win that keeps the far right out of power.
What's Next
Sweden's parliament is due to begin the government formation process on Sept. 28, according to France 24.
Andersson's bloc has the seats but not an easy path: France 24 reported that coalition talks are likely to be challenging, and Reuters noted the negotiations ahead will be laborious with a majority this thin.
More
Andersson previously served as Sweden's prime minister before Kristersson's right-wing bloc took power. Her Social Democrats lead the coalition that has now edged back in front.
A three-seat majority means a handful of defections or absences could decide votes in the next parliament, which is why the formation process starting Sept. 28 matters as much as the election result itself.
Poll
Can a three-seat majority produce a stable Swedish government?
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