Swedish election news: Social Democrats hang on but Sweden Democrats come second, according to the first exit polls

Supporters at the Social Democratic Party's election party in Stockholm in Stockholm
AP
Joy Lo Dico10 September 2018

The 8pm exit polls from the Swedish election show the Social Democrats hanging on to the lead in a contest but the hard right populists Sweden Democrats taking second place after a campaign fought on issues of immigration and EU membership.

Stefan Lofven, the Swedish Prime Minister is predicted to have his party to 26.2 per cent of the vote share, leaving the party in first place, according to the exit poll from SVT, the national broadcaster.

That is still their worst election result in over 100 years and down from the 31 per cent on 2015.

Meanwhile the Sweden Democrats, who’ve taken a strong anti-immigration stance and called for a referendum on EU membership, appear to have lifted their vote share from 2014 when they won 13%.

Swedish Democrats supporters react after the exit polls in Stockholm
AFP/Getty Images

According to the exit polls, the party led by Jimmie Akesson now have 19.2 per cent which would make them the second largest party.;

The Moderates, the centre right party which had been battling to stay in second place, ahead of the Sweden Democrats has slipped.

Led by Ulf Kristersson, have according to this exit polls, come this with 17.8 per cent, down from 23 percent in 2014.

The full results are expected later this evening. As things stand, either a red-green coalition, led by the Social Democrats, or the right wing Alliance block, of which the Moderates are the largest party, will take control of Parliament.

Both have around 140 seats in their blocks.

The Sweden Democrats have traditionally been shunned from all coalition agreements but could hold some sway over Parliament decisions, with around 68 seats.

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