Far-Right Surges In Sweden Elections, But Fractured Mandate Means Protracted Negotiations Over Government Formation

The formation of a new government in Sweden could take anywhere from weeks to months, since extended negotiations are now in progress. This is being done after a deadlocked verdict with its two main centrist formations failed to score a majority. The far-right Sweden Democrats, which campaigned over immigration fears, made impressive gains.

In Sunday's election, the Social Democrats won the largest share with 28.4 per cent of votes, giving them 101 seats, with the center-right Moderate party taking 19.8 per cent, or 70 seats.

But, the two mainstream parties lost the most ground compared to 2014 elections, with the Social Democrats losing 12 seats and and Moderate Party, 14. The nationalist Sweden Democrats gained 13 seats.

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven‘s centre left bloc gained a slender lead with 40.6 per cent of the vote, giving them 144 seats, with the centre-right alliance winning 40 per cent, or 143 seats. 175 is the majority mark in the 349-seat parliament.

However, it was far-right Sweden Democrats which gained 17.6 per cent of the vote, or 62 seats, up from 12.9 per cent in the previous 2014 elections. .

Immigration became highly politicized following a steady increase in new arrivals. In 2015, Sweden, a country of about a crore, took in more than 160,000 asylum-seekers.