Sweden's anti-immigration party has made gains in the country's general election but fell short of becoming the largest group in the new parliament after a campaign dominated by fears over asylum and integration.
An early exit poll showed the Sweden Democrats (SD), who have called for a referendum on EU membership, on 19.2 per cent of the vote, an increase of more than six percentage points since 2014 but below what some surveys had predicted.
The centre-left Social Democrats, who currently govern with the Greens, remained the largest party but were set to record their lowest share since 1908 on just over 26 per cent, the exit poll suggested.
SD leader Jimmie Akesson, who has tried to sweep away traces of the SD's origins in a neo-Nazi movement, could hold the key to forming a government with neither the PM's party nor the rival centre-right alliance winning a majority.
A projection of seats on Swedish TV showed the centre-right bloc on 141 seats, current PM Stefan Lofven's governing coalition just behind on 140 and the SD holding the balance of power on 68.
A Sweden Democrats supporter reacts to the exit poll figures which saw the anti-immigration party increase its share from 2014 but fall short of becoming the largest party
SD leader Jimmie Akesson is pictured sealing his vote at a polling station in Stockholm today, with his party making gains since 2014 but failing to become the largest grouping
European leaders are watching the result closely after a wave of right-wing populist successes across the continent since the refugee crisis sparked by conflicts in the Middle East and Africa.
Current Social Democrat Prime Minister Stefan Lofven had called the poll a 'referendum on the future of the welfare state' but the influx of 400,000 asylum seekers since 2015 has polarised voters and defined the election.
SD argues that asylum seekers threaten Swedish culture put a strain on the country's generous welfare state. They have vowed to end dual nationality for non-Nordic citizens.
Party leader Jimmie Akesson voted in Stockholm, saying: 'Everything suggests we're going to have a good election. I've said throughout the campaign that 20 to 30 per cent is a reasonable score for us and I think that's possible.'
A self-proclaimed nationalist, Akesson argues that multi-cultural values and customs prevent immigrants from assimilating into Swedish society.
Incumbent PM Lofven urged Swedes not to vote for the 'racist party' as he cast his ballot, saying: 'It's about decency, about a decent democracy.
'A Social Democratic-led government is a guarantee for not letting the Sweden Democrats extremist party, racist party, get any influence in the government.'
His party, traditionally Sweden's largest, have led a minority government with the Greens but are tipped to post their lowest score since 1911.
Lofven's main challenger, Moderates leader Ulf Kristersson, handed out campaign leaflets in his hometown of Strangnas, west of Stockholm, on voting day.
Kristersson, the head of the four-party Alliance of the Moderates, Centre, Liberals and Christian Democrats parties, said he was worried about SD.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven is pictured casting his vote in Stockholm today
A Swedish woman wearing a veil is pictured casting her vote in the Swedish general election, which has been dominated by a row over asylum seekers
Stefan Lofven (pictured) has been meeting citizens throughout the day
He said: 'I have tried to prove to voters during the election campaign that if you really want a change, you have to for our four parties. We are the guarantee to oust the current government from power.'
Sweden took in more asylum seekers per capita than any other country in Europe in 2015, magnifying worries about a welfare system that many voters already believe is in crisis.
Lengthening queues for operations, shortages of doctors and teachers and a police service that has failed to deal with inner-city gang violence have shaken faith in the 'Swedish model', built on a promise of comprehensive welfare and social inclusion.
SD leader Akesson has promised to sink any government that refuses to give his party a say in policy, particularly on immigration.
Mainstream politicians have so far rebuffed him but may be forced to co-operate in coalition talks.
Voters across Sweden will head to the polling stations (pictured) to cast their votes in the Swedish general election
Who is the Swedish right-wing leader Jimmie Akesson?
Akesson has headed SD since 2005, guiding what was initially a fringe party into parliament for the first time in 2010 with 5.7 per cent of the vote, climbing to 13 per cent in 2014.
Often casually dressed, cool-headed in debates and talented at deflecting criticism, Akesson is seen as a straight-talker.
His supporters also relate to what they see as down-to-earth qualities. He is a fan of crime novels, has admitted to an online gambling problem.
SD leader Jimmie Akesson is pictured with his girlfriend Louise Erixon
The politician says he developed his nationalist streak at an early age.
In a 2014 interview he recalled an incident from his childhood that made him 'sceptical about immigration': some refugee children pushed him off his bicycle and called him a 'bloody Swede'.
The same year, he admitted to spending 500,000 kronor (47,000 euros, $55,000) on online gambling, along with his partner Louise Erixon.
Akesson is seen as a tireless worker and campaigner, pushing himself so hard in the 2014 election that he suffered a burnout. Doctors put him on sick leave for six months.
He has called Muslims 'our greatest foreign threat since the Second World War' and said that immigrants must fully assimilate into Swedish society to be considered Swedish.
The opposition is intent on ousting Lofven, with some Moderates willing to put an end to SD's pariah status and open negotiations with them.
But such talks could split the Alliance, with the Liberal and Centre parties repeatedly ruling out a deal with 'the devil', as Akesson occasionally calls himself.
None of the seven parties have been willing to negotiate with SD.
Akesson has tried to sweep away the traces of the SD's origins in the fascist movement 'Bevara Sverige Svenskt' ('Keep Sweden Swedish') and purge the party of outspoken racists.
But a number of SD officials have made headlines for racist remarks in recent years and more than a dozen candidates were kicked out of the party in the campaign's final week after their backgrounds in neo-Nazi movements were uncovered by the media.
About 7.5 million people were registered to choose from almost 6,300 candidates for a four-year term in the 349-seat Riksdag, or parliament.
With both options unpalatable to the traditional players, forming a government could take weeks.
With an eye on the European Parliament elections next year, Brussels policymakers are watching the Swedish vote closely, concerned that a nation with impeccable democratic credentials could add to the growing chorus of euroscepticism in the EU.
Sweden has flirted with populism before. New Democracy, founded by an aristocrat and a record producer, won nearly 7 per cent of the vote in 1991, on the promise of strict immigration policies, cheaper alcohol and free parking, only to crash out of parliament three years later.
'I'm not an SD supporter, but it's a problem for democracy if the other party leaders refuse to talk to a party that represents the views of so many people,' Josefine, a voter in Stockholm said.
Therese, an SD voter in Stockholm, said: 'If you get the chance to move here then you should to try to live like us.'
But Anna Berglund, a 28-year-old lawyer who voted for the small Centre Party at a polling station in Stockholm's upmarket Ostermalm neighbourhood, said SD's mounting support was 'bad news'.
'I'm afraid we're becoming a society that is more hostile to foreigners.'
A populist surge could weaken the Swedish crown in the short term, but analysts do not see any long-term effect on markets from the election.
Economic growth is strong, government coffers are well stocked and there is broad agreement about the thrust of economic policy, experts believe.
According to Magnus Blomgren, a social scientist at Umea University, 'traditional parties have failed to respond to the sense of discontent that exists.
'That discontent maybe isn't directly related to unemployment or the economy, but simply a loss of faith in the political system. Sweden isn't alone in this.'
Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Akesson (pictured) has been rebuffed by mainstream politicians after he promised to sink any government which refuses to give his party a say in various issues
Sweden Democrats party supporters (pictured) have been campaigning across Stockholm
Voters in Sweden went to the polls today following a campaign dominated by immigration
https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/09/sweden-democrats-make-gains-but-fail-to-become-largest-party-in-general-election/
Main photo article Sweden’s anti-immigration party has made gains in the country’s general election but fell short of becoming the largest group in the new parliament after a campaign dominated by fears over asylum and integration.
An early exit poll showed the Sweden Democrats (SD), who have called ...
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Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/09/09/19/4FF29BC300000578-6147961-image-a-4_1536517353214.jpg
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