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Sweden votes in close-fought poll Sweden votes in close-fought poll
(about 1 hour later)
Millions of Swedes have been voting in the country's closest-fought general election in decades.Millions of Swedes have been voting in the country's closest-fought general election in decades.
A centre-right coalition is challenging the governing Social Democratic party, which has been in power for all but 10 of the past 89 years.A centre-right coalition is challenging the governing Social Democratic party, which has been in power for all but 10 of the past 89 years.
Key issues include whether Sweden's generous welfare model must reform for it to survive in the global economy.Key issues include whether Sweden's generous welfare model must reform for it to survive in the global economy.
Exit polls suggested a close result, with the opposition holding a narrow lead over the Social Democrats. A television forecast based on firstpartial results suggested the race was too close to call.
Polls closed at 2000 local time (1800 GMT) and a preliminary result was expected within hours. However, exit polls released soon after voting ended at 2000 (1800 GMT) appeared to give the opposition a narrow lead.
Exit polls for the national public channel SVT predicted the centre-right coalition would win 49.7% of the vote, compared to 45.6% for Prime Minister Goran Persson's coalition led by the Social Democrats.Exit polls for the national public channel SVT predicted the centre-right coalition would win 49.7% of the vote, compared to 45.6% for Prime Minister Goran Persson's coalition led by the Social Democrats.
But the TV4 channel put the centre-right's lead at 48.6% to 46.7% - a gap smaller than the poll's margin of error.But the TV4 channel put the centre-right's lead at 48.6% to 46.7% - a gap smaller than the poll's margin of error.
Opinion polls have put the centre-right alliance, headed by the conservative Moderate party, consistently neck-and-neck with the Social Democrats.Opinion polls have put the centre-right alliance, headed by the conservative Moderate party, consistently neck-and-neck with the Social Democrats.
The latest poll, published before voting began, put the challengers a few points ahead.The latest poll, published before voting began, put the challengers a few points ahead.
Trading accusationsTrading accusations
Both leaders have admitted the result is expected to be extremely tight.Both leaders have admitted the result is expected to be extremely tight.
"If you want to use swimming terminology, we are going to be the ones who touch the finish a few hundredths of a second before the opposition," Mr Persson said on Saturday."If you want to use swimming terminology, we are going to be the ones who touch the finish a few hundredths of a second before the opposition," Mr Persson said on Saturday.
Moderate candidate Fredrik Reinfeldt says reform is overdueHis rival for the prime minister's job, Fredrik Reinfeldt, urged supporters to turn out and vote: "Don't believe the opinion polls. Persuade neighbours and friends to go vote."Moderate candidate Fredrik Reinfeldt says reform is overdueHis rival for the prime minister's job, Fredrik Reinfeldt, urged supporters to turn out and vote: "Don't believe the opinion polls. Persuade neighbours and friends to go vote."
The opposition says changes to Sweden's rigid labour market and high cost welfare system are long overdue, and promises to cut both employer taxes and unemployment benefits.The opposition says changes to Sweden's rigid labour market and high cost welfare system are long overdue, and promises to cut both employer taxes and unemployment benefits.
It also wants to cut the large social sector, which currently employs 30% of the Swedish job force.It also wants to cut the large social sector, which currently employs 30% of the Swedish job force.
Mr Reinfeldt, the Moderate leader, has accused the government of disregarding the high unemployment rate, and for not making sure the country can continue to compete in a global market.Mr Reinfeldt, the Moderate leader, has accused the government of disregarding the high unemployment rate, and for not making sure the country can continue to compete in a global market.
The government maintains the unemployment rate is a low 6%, while the opposition says it is around 10%, taking into account the many people on sick leave and in job training schemes.The government maintains the unemployment rate is a low 6%, while the opposition says it is around 10%, taking into account the many people on sick leave and in job training schemes.
Mr Persson has accused the opposition of wanting to destroy job security and make dangerous cuts to the welfare state.Mr Persson has accused the opposition of wanting to destroy job security and make dangerous cuts to the welfare state.
He said this would undermine Sweden's unique social model - a cradle to grave welfare system and strong economic growth.He said this would undermine Sweden's unique social model - a cradle to grave welfare system and strong economic growth.