Sweden’s centre-left opposition holds a narrow lead over Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s ruling right-wing bloc before the September 13 parliamentary election, although Kristersson has gained ground in the final weeks while Social Democrats leader Magdalena Andersson has lost support. Kristersson has pledged to bring the far-right Sweden Democrats into government if his bloc wins, after four years in which the party supported his minority government from parliament without holding ministerial posts. The latest Ekot poll puts the left bloc at 50.8%, ahead of the right at 47.6%, with the Social Democrats on 28.6% and the Sweden Democrats on 18.3%. The election is focused on gang violence, immigration, civil liberties, household finances and welfare, while both blocs broadly support Ukraine, military rearmament and relief for the cost-of-living crisis. The right has agreed on a four-party government led by Kristersson, but Andersson faces internal divisions over immigration, taxation, nuclear power and cooperation with the Left Party. The Liberals’ ability to clear the 4% parliamentary threshold could determine the balance of power. A strong Sweden Democrats result would also reinforce Europe’s broader far-right trend.