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Sweden election: Social Democrats 'in the lead' - exit poll Sweden election: Centre-left 'set to win' - projection
(about 1 hour later)
Sweden's opposition Social Democrats appear set to win most votes in the general election, an exit poll says. Sweden's opposition Social Democrats appear set to return to power in the general election, partial results show.
Public broadcaster SVT said the centre-left bloc would get 44.8%, with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's centre-right coalition trailing with 39.7%. They give the centre-left bloc 43.7%, but not enough for a majority, with 39.1% for Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's centre-right coalition.
A new coalition may need the support of the far-right anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, with whom no mainstream party wants to work.A new coalition may need the support of the far-right anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, with whom no mainstream party wants to work.
Mr Reinfeldt has been praised for how he has handled the economic crisis.Mr Reinfeldt has been praised for how he has handled the economic crisis.
A Social Democrats win would be a return to normality in Sweden. They have not been in opposition for so long since first taking power in 1920. A Social Democrats win would be a return to normality in Sweden after 80 years. They have not been in opposition for so long since first taking power in 1920.
Polling stations opened at 06:00 GMT and closed at 18:00 GMT.Polling stations opened at 06:00 GMT and closed at 18:00 GMT.
Another coalition?Another coalition?
Since coming to power, Mr Reinfeldt's coalition government has cut income and corporate taxes, abolished a tax on wealth and trimmed welfare benefits.Since coming to power, Mr Reinfeldt's coalition government has cut income and corporate taxes, abolished a tax on wealth and trimmed welfare benefits.
It has also privatised several state-owned companies, including the maker of Absolut vodka.It has also privatised several state-owned companies, including the maker of Absolut vodka.
After voting in Stockholm, Social Democrat leader Stefan Lofven said he felt good, adding: "We have focused on our main issues - jobs, schools welfare."After voting in Stockholm, Social Democrat leader Stefan Lofven said he felt good, adding: "We have focused on our main issues - jobs, schools welfare."
Mr Reinfeldt, who voted in another part of the city, spoke of a "formidable campaign", saying that his party was ready for another four years in power. Mr Reinfeldt, who voted in another part of the city, spoke of a "formidable campaign".
The anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, who entered parliament for the first time in 2010, are alone in opposing the country's liberal immigration policy, and could hold the balance of power.The anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, who entered parliament for the first time in 2010, are alone in opposing the country's liberal immigration policy, and could hold the balance of power.
Exit polls showed them getting more than 10% of the vote. A projection after a partial vote count on Sunday night showed them becoming the third largest party, gaining 13% of the vote.
"We're the absolute kingmaker in parliament now," Jimmie Aakesson, leader of the far-right party, said afterwards.
Sweden this year expects up to 80,000 asylum-seekers from Syria, Eritrea, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries - the highest number since 1992.Sweden this year expects up to 80,000 asylum-seekers from Syria, Eritrea, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries - the highest number since 1992.