Sweden’s close election leaves government formation as the next decisive stage

Sweden’s preliminary result puts the centre-left ahead 176 seats to 173 in a 349-seat parliament, Reuters reports. The final count is expected Wednesday. The Sweden Democrats were projected to lose 11 seats.

Magdalena Andersson still faces a coalition obstacle: she needs both the Centre Party and the Left Party, but Centre refuses to govern alongside Left. A return to earlier immigration policies also appears unlikely; the Social Democrats have themselves shifted toward restrictions.

Removing a government and reversing its policy direction are separate outcomes. Coalition constraints and changes within the opposition can preserve parts of an outgoing administration’s approach even after it loses power.