Swedish centre-left opposition widens lead to three seats with ۹۵% of votes counted – Europe live

But leading Social Democrats are not exactly impressed by Kristersson’s chill approach.

The party’s foreign policy spokesperson, Morgan Johansson, accused him to trying to “cling on” to power, saying it was an “unsightly” behaviour, Expressen reported.

“If [the governing coalition] Tidö no longer has a majority, he will probably have to face the consequences of that.”

But in a stark warning highlighting just how tricky the government formation process is likely to be, Kristersson also said that if all parties stick to their red lines, “Sweden will not have a government.”

It’s clear he has some appetite for exploring a different majority to the red bloc.

Perhaps we should all just channel the Swedish PM, Ulf Kristersson, who essentially said this morning he was “going to take it pretty easy” until the final results are in.

He says there are some conversations scheduled in the meantime – including with fellow coalition leaders this evening – but he essentially wants to see the final results show first.

He also repeats his last night’s suggestion of exploring alternative majorities in the parliament.

One possible option could involve the Centre party switching sides, but it’s not immediately obvious how Kristersson would get them to accept a government with the far-right Sweden Democrats with it.

Senior figures in the Social Democratic party are meeting this morning with party leader Magdalena Andersson to discuss next steps.

The party topped the polls – that is certain – and is most likely to have a first go at forming the next government, but it will have to navigate the complex and often openly contradictory demands of the left-leaning bloc.

It remains to be seen whether they can get the Left Party to work with the Centre Party in particular, given rumbles on both sides about the feasibility of such an alliance.

But today’s doorstep comments suggest there is no rush just yet: all parties will want to wait for the final results on Wednesday or Thursday before committing to exploratory talks.

Party secretary Tobias Baudin confirmed, however, that he has exchanged texts with colleagues in other parties, SVT reported.

Asked about potential differences, he told P۱ that he was “completely convinced” the parties would give it out with some “give and take” for all involved.

Morning opening: When the dust settles (a bit)

Jakub Krupa

Hej from Stockholm as the dust settles (a bit) after a hectic election night.

With ۹۵% of votes counted overnight, the left-leaning opposition bloc – led by Magdalena Andersson’s Social Democrats – has widened its lead to three seats, leading ۱۷۶ to ۱۷۳ against the reigning centre-right coalition and their far-right partners in Sweden Democrats.

Formally, the result is not settled yet: there is only some ۲۸,۶۰۰ votes separating the two blocs, with ۶% of the votes yet to be counted – and that includes some ۲۰۰,۰۰۰ votes expected to come and be counted only on Wednesday.

Still, the Swedish public broadcaster SVT said last night it was ۹۰% confident that the opposition would clinch the victory, even accounting for all the votes yet to be counted.

There is plenty of time for early exploratory talks: the parliament won’t meet until ۲۸ September, when its due to elect a new speaker, and any votes on who could be the next prime minister can only come after that.

But the process of forming the new government could take weeks if not months leaving Sweden in a state of political limbo at a time of unprecedented geopolitical uncertainty in Europe.

No doubt first text messages, frantic WhatsApp or Signals, and phone calls are already exchanged today.

I will be here to cover all this drama for you.

It’s Monday, ۱۴ September ۲۰۲۶, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.