Sweden went to the polls on Sunday in a general election that is expected to be one of the most unpredictable and thrilling races in the Scandinavian country for decades amid heated debate on immigration.
The election will be Sweden’s first since the Government in 2015 allowed 1,63,000 migrants into the country of 10 million. While far less than what Germany took in that year, it was the most per capita of any European nation.
“This election is a referendum about our welfare,” Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said. “It’s also about decency, about a decent democracy... and not letting the Sweden Democrats, an extremist party, a racist party, get any influence in the Government.”
About 7.5 million registered voters choose from almost 6,300 candidates for a four-year term in the 349-seat Riksdag, or Parliament. It’s highly unlikely that any single party will get a majority, or 175 seats.
The latest opinion poll conducted by pollster Novus for public broadcaster SVT suggested Friday that Lofven’s ruling Social Democrats would substantially lose seats, but still emerge as the party
with the most votes with an estimated 24.9 per centof ballots.
If realised, it would be a historical low for the traditional left-wing party, which has dominated Swedish politics in the post-World War II era.
The poll showed that the far-right, anti-immigration Sweden Democrats — led by Jimmie Akesson — would get 19.1 per cent of the votes in what would be a major increase compared to the 13 per cent support received in 2014.
The centre-right Moderate Party is set to take to take third place with 17.7 per cent.
With a steady rise in popularity of the Sweden Democrats, immigration has become hot topic of election.
The party, rooted in a neo-Nazi movement has worked to soften its image, has played a role in breaking down longstanding taboos on what Swedes could say openly about immigration and integration without being shunned as racists.
During a heated debate on Friday evening of party leaders, Akesson caused a stir by blaming migrants for the difficulties they often have in finding employment and not adjusting to Sweden.
The broadcaster that aired the televised debate, SVT, afterward called his remarks degrading and against the democratic mandate of public broadcasting.