Sweden’s left-wing opposition parties have won a narrow parliamentary majority in the country’s national election, according to the final count released on Thursday. The result marks a shift in the political landscape, with former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, leader of the Social Democrats, now leading efforts to form a new government. The election outcome has prompted the resignation of current Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who had led a centre-right coalition reliant on support from the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD).

The final count showed the left-leaning opposition bloc securing 176 seats in the 349-seat Riksdag, a narrow three-seat majority over the right-leaning ruling Tidö coalition, which includes the Moderates, Christian Democrats, and Liberals. The SD, which had previously been a key ally of the ruling coalition, lost support for the first time in a general election since its founding, falling from second to third place with 50,359 votes. This shift is seen as a significant blow to the far-right party’s influence in Swedish politics.

Andersson, who previously served as prime minister from 2021 to 2022, has begun initial coalition talks with the Left, Centre, and Green parties. However, the process is expected to be complex, with tensions among left-leaning parties over policy priorities. The Centre party has ruled out being in government with the Left, while the Left has demanded a place in government in return for its cooperation. Other contentious issues include the Left’s support for a billionaire tax, the Green party’s opposition to nuclear energy, and differences over taxation policies.

Kristersson, who had promised key ministerial posts to the SD if his coalition took power, announced his resignation in a letter to the speaker of the Riksdag, Andreas Norlén, stating that the next steps in forming a new government would be handled by Norlén. The SD, which had previously been a key ally of the ruling coalition, lost support for the first time in a general election since its founding, falling from second to third place with 50,309 votes. This shift is seen as a significant blow to the far-right party’s influence in Swedish politics.

The Social Democrats, despite receiving record low support, remain the largest party in the parliament. However, Andersson faces the challenge of uniting the left-leaning bloc to form a stable government. Minority-run governments are common in Swedish politics, and the Social Democrats are understood to be seeking broad cooperation with one or multiple parties. The party is also expected to prioritize changes to immigration, integration, and climate policies from the previous government, though some of its policies have moved to the right in recent years, particularly on immigration and crime.

The party’s decline in the election is seen as a significant shift in the political landscape, with the left-leaning bloc now holding a narrow majority. The outcome of the election has cleared the way for Andersson to attempt to form a government, though the process is expected to be complex and time-consuming. The final count has confirmed the left’s narrow lead, and the next steps in forming a government will be determined by the speaker of the Riksdag and the parties involved.