Story perspectives

Sweden election could bring Sweden Democrats into government

By Drooid · Sep 13, 2026, 10:19 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Sweden Opens Polls

Sweden opens polls on Sunday, September 13, 2026, in a close election that could bring the Sweden Democrats into government.
Polling stations operate from 8 am to 8 pm, with early voting available since August 26.
Around eight million of Sweden’s 10.6 million residents are eligible to vote, with turnout historically above 80 percent.
Incumbent Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (Moderate Party) faces former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson (Social Democrats) for the premiership.

Summary

Kristersson warns Left

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson warned Europe not to trust the left on defence ahead of the election.
He said a left-wing government could hinder Sweden’s ability to meet NATO obligations, including spending and missions.
Sweden’s Psychological Defence Agency said the election is not a top priority for Russia because of public support for Ukraine.
Agency chief urged platforms such as X, TikTok and Facebook to intensify efforts against Russian disinformation.

History

Historical Context

When Sweden, Finland and Austria entered the European Union in 1995, the bloc’s security framework shifted toward collective defense and political integration. The accession granted EU funding to the Swedish Defence Research Agency, which later reported a 75 percent increase in cyber-threat monitoring capacity by 2005. Today, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson warns that a left-wing coalition could jeopardize NATO commitments, echoing 1995 concerns about aligning Sweden’s defence with broader European obligations. Consequently, Sweden’s Psychological Defence Agency urges platforms like X, TikTok and Facebook to counter Russian disinformation, reinforcing the EU’s long-standing strategy to safeguard democratic elections.

1 of 3

Sweden Opens Polls

Sweden opens polls on Sunday, September 13, 2026, in a close election that could bring the Sweden Democrats into government.
Polling stations operate from 8 am to 8 pm, with early voting available since August 26.
Around eight million of Sweden’s 10.6 million residents are eligible to vote, with turnout historically above 80 percent.
Incumbent Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (Moderate Party) faces former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson (Social Democrats) for the premiership.

1 / 3