Far Right

Al Jazeera reported on September 15 that Sweden’s 2026 parliamentary election has produced an exceptionally tight result, with the major parties separated by margins within the statistical margin of error. The far-right Sweden Democrats saw a notable drop in support compared with the previous election, but neither the left bloc nor the centre-right bloc has secured a working majority for government formation. Analysts say the outcome may produce a repeat of the 2018-style hung parliament and cast uncertainty over Sweden’s NATO policy, its EU relationship and the country’s immigration and energy-transition agenda.

Politico Europe reported on September 13 that Sweden’s parliamentary election has seen a dramatic late reversal in the count, with the centre-left bloc edging ahead by one seat while the Sweden Democrats-led far-right surge sharpened significantly in the final phase of voting, meaning the final result may not be clear for several days. The shift puts the previously expected scenario of a Moderates-led right-wing coalition taking office under serious doubt, and coalition negotiations could extend into a multi-week or multi-month complex bargaining process. As an important bellwether of the Nordic social-democratic tradition, Sweden’s election outcome will have knock-on effects on the European political climate, EU internal policy coordination and immigration governance models.

Reuters reported on September 13 that voting in Sweden’s parliamentary election concluded in the evening, with initial counts showing a sharp rise for the far-right Sweden Democrats and the party poised to enter a governing coalition led by the Moderates for the first time. Several major European outlets described the vote as an important signal of a further rightward shift in the European political map, with the outcome likely to have far-reaching implications for immigration policy, EU relations, energy transition and public safety. Preliminary tallies showed the centre-right bloc holding a relative majority of the 349 seats in the Riksdag, but internal disagreements remain significant and coalition negotiations are expected to last several weeks.

[Brief] The Guardian reported on September 8 that multiple German cities saw large-scale anti-AfD (Alternative for Germany) protests that day, with participants calling for the protection of democratic values and opposition to extremism. The protest wave comes ahead of important state elections in two eastern German states, where latest polls show the AfD’s vote share continues to rise, even leading the ruling coalition’s candidates in some regions. The report noted that the protest wave reflects strong concerns in mainstream German society about the expansion of far-right forces, putting Chancellor Merz’s ruling coalition under increasing political pressure. Multiple political analysts warned that if the AfD achieves a breakthrough in upcoming state elections, it could further shake up Germany’s traditional party landscape and influence European political trends on a broader scale. ...