As vote counting continues in Sweden’s general election, the center-left bloc led by the Social Democrats has secured a lead in the 349-seat parliament, according to unofficial results.
With 94% of the votes counted, the center-left bloc, which includes the Centre Party, the Green Party and the Left Party, won 49.5% of the vote and 176 seats.
The right-wing bloc formed by the governing Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats and the Liberals, together with the Sweden Democrats, which support the government from outside, received 49.1% of the vote. These parties won 173 seats in parliament.
Counting is not complete
The center-left bloc leads the right-wing bloc by three seats, but the election results have not yet been finalized. The counting of ballots cast at polling stations abroad and delayed postal ballots will continue until September 16.
Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson said that, based on the current results, they had won the election and said Sweden would have a new government. The official results are expected to be announced by the weekend.
Turnout reaches 80.4%
More than 8 million voters cast ballots in the election, with turnout reaching 80.4%.
Voters also went to the polls to elect the 21 regional councils and 290 municipal councils, in addition to the 349-member parliament.