Baghdad: Voters in Sweden went to the polls on Sunday for a closely contested parliamentary election between the right-wing bloc led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and the opposition led by the Social Democratic Party. The election has been marked by a narrowing gap between the two main political camps in the final weeks of the campaign.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the latest opinion polls show a slight lead for the center-left opposition. Three polls published before the vote indicated that the opposition parties collectively received between 49.3 and 50.8 percent of the vote. In contrast, the right-wing bloc garnered between 47.6 and 49 percent, reflecting the tight nature of the race.

Magdalena Andersson, leader of the Social Democrats and former prime minister, is aiming for a return to the premiership. Meanwhile, current Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is seeking a second term, with promises to include the Sweden Democrats in the government if his bloc secures victory. The Sweden Democra
ts have supported the government in parliament over the past four years without being part of the cabinet.

The election campaign has focused on key issues such as immigration, combating gang violence, and economic and social policies, with parties taking varied stances on how to address these challenges. Despite the potential for a win, Andersson may encounter difficulties forming a stable government due to disagreements among opposition parties on a range of issues, including immigration, taxes, and nuclear energy.