Sweden election candidates: main rivals in close race

Sweden votes in a general election on September 13 with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson and Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson at the centre of a close race.

Kristersson, 62, became prime minister in 2022 after his right-wing coalition made a deal giving the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats influence over government policy in exchange for support. Stockholm University political scientist Jan Teorell told AFP that Kristersson is seen on the right as a reliable candidate for prime minister, but said the arrangement with the far right had also hurt the Moderates in opinion polls.

As prime minister, Kristersson has overseen higher defence spending, strict migration policies and a crackdown on organised crime. He has also faced scrutiny over a foundation run by his wife, Lutheran priest Birgitta Ed, and over the hiring of a childhood friend as national security adviser.

Akesson, 47, has led the Sweden Democrats for more than two decades. The party entered parliament in 2010 and now has around 20 percent voter support. Since 2022, it has supported the minority right-wing government and pushed hardline policies on migration and crime.

The Sweden Democrats have shifted their focus to “re-migration”, or incentives for immigrants to leave Sweden, after immigration was reduced. In June 2025, the party released a report detailing past ties to fascist and Nazi organisations and members' xenophobic and antisemitic views. Akesson apologised on behalf of the party, while continuing to promote nationalist policies.

Andersson, 59, was Sweden's first woman prime minister from 2021 to 2022 and previously served as finance minister for seven years. She is seeking to return the Social Democrats to power with pledges to strengthen healthcare and welfare.

Her campaign promises include raising taxes to improve healthcare and the welfare system, banning profits at privately run but publicly funded schools, and keeping most of the current government's hardline policies on crime and immigration.