The leader of Sweden’s Social Democrat party, Magdalena Andersson, said on Sunday (September 13) the election was a choice between her party or a far-right party getting into government for the first time.

“This is a very important election for Sweden if we, for the first time, should have a right-wing extremist party founded by neo-Nazis in our government or if the government should be led by me,” she said, referring to the Sweden Democrats, after casting her vote in what is tipped to be a close election.

The Sweden Democrats acknowledge that some members had roots in neo-Nazism and white supremacy when the party was founded in the 1980s, but say such figures have since been weeded out.

The centre-left opposition, led by the Social Democrats, holds a narrow lead over the ruling right-wing bloc, pointing to a likely change of government, several opinion polls have shown this week.

But Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who has trailed in opinion polls throughout his four years in office, has been catching up in the final weeks of campaigning, with the Social Democrats losing ground.

Kristersson has pledged to bring the far-right Sweden Democrats into government should he form a government.

Polling stations close at 1800GMT with exit polls following shortly thereafter.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (SEPTEMBER 13, 2026)(REUTERS – Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF THE LEADER OF THE SOCIAL DEMOCRAT PARTY, MAGDALENA ANDERSSON, ARRIVING TO VOTE WITH HER HUSBAND RICHARD FRIBERG

2. ANDERSSON GREETING ELDERLY COUPLE

3. ANDERSSON WALKING NEAR POLLING STATION

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LEADER OF THE SOCIAL DEMOCRAT PARTY, MAGDALENA ANDERSSON, SAYING:

“Well, it's up to the Swedish people now and we will have the election results tonight. But of course, this is a very important election for Sweden if we, for the first time, should have a right-wing extremist party founded by neo-Nazis in our government or if the government should be led by me.”

5. ANDERSSON BEING INTERVIEWED

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LEADER OF THE SOCIAL DEMOCRAT PARTY, MAGDALENA ANDERSSON, SAYING, REPLYING TO THE QUESTION IF SHE THINKS IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE IN SWEDEN:

“Well, a lot of people that I met during these election weeks say so, but it's up to the Swedish people today.”

7. ANDERSSON BEING INTERVIEWED

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LEADER OF THE SOCIAL DEMOCRAT PARTY, MAGDALENA ANDERSSON, SAYING:

“Of course, it has been an intense campaign, but it's also been a dirty campaign and a campaign with lots of lies, unfortunately.”

9. ANDERSSON BEING INTERVIEWED

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LEADER OF THE SOCIAL DEMOCRAT PARTY, MAGDALENA ANDERSSON, SAYING:

“Maybe we should have an election result before we draw any conclusions. But I think for us, we will see now, but of course, they (Sweden Democrats) have become a very traditional right-wing party when it comes to economic policies. And as a Social Democrat, of course we can oppose that. And on top of that, the hate that they have spread through this election and if they will become ministers and have used their platforms as ministers to spread hate, well, we will see if the Swedish people are very tempted by that or not.”

11. ANDERSSON KISSING HER HUSBAND AND WALKING AWAY