The rising prospects of a far-right and eurosceptic party are turning the Swedish election scheduled on Sunday into one of the most crucial political events in years.
Centenary political status likely to change
The Sweden Democrats (SD), an anti-immigrant party with neo-Nazi roots, is likely to change the centenary Swedish political status dominated by the center-left Social Democratic Party.
The SD is tipped to win around 20 percent of votes, according to an average of seven polling institutes published in the past 10 days.
Sweden Democrats party leader Jimmie Akesson speaks at an election rally in Norrkoping, September 7, 2018. /VCG Photo
The polls suggest that neither the current center-left government nor the center-right opposition alliance is likely to win a majority in the election, giving the SD a key role in shaping the next government.
The SD has said it is willing to collaborate with either the left or the right, as long as it can shape the country's immigration policy. But so far, no parties are willing to negotiate with it.
"It is likeliest we will see a single-party, Social Democrat government," said Nick Aylott, a political scientist at Sodertorn University.
Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson, Green Party spokesperson Gustav Fridolin, Christian Democrats party leader Ebba Busch Thor and Swedish Prime Minister and Social Democrat Party leader Stefan Lofven during a TV debate in Stockholm, September 3, 2018. /Reuters Photo
Immigration is top concern
Immigration, integration, health care, the climate and education have been Swedes' main concerns in the election campaign, according to reports.
Among those, immigration has been propelled to the top for this election vote.
Sweden has been welcoming and generous to migrants and refugees for decades. But after the nation took in 163,000 migrants in 2015 alone, the largest number per capita of anywhere in Europe, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven conceded it could no longer cope with the influx.
Swedish Prime Minister and leader of the Social Democrats Party Stefan Lofven campaigns ahead of the Swedish general election in Uppsala, August 18, 2018. /Reuters Photo
A lot of Swedes are reluctant to express that they are fed up with the immigration, reports said.
However, the longstanding taboo is now disappearing. The SD wants to put an end to Sweden's current asylum system, vowing to help refugees return to their home countries.
For a critical few years, the SD has "basically an open field" as the only party critical of immigration, said Ann-Cathrine Jungar, a far-right specialist at Sodertorn University.
Leader of the Moderate Party Ulf Kristersson, leader of the Centre Party Annie Loof, leader of the Liberals Party Jan Bjoerklund, and leader of the Christian Democrats Party Ebba Busch Thor stand on stage during a rally of the "Alliansen" coalition in Uppsala, September 6, 2018. /VCG Photo
Unusual election to be monitored
The upcoming Swedish election is unusual, some op-ed articles said.
After Italy's election of a populist government in March, the SD's performance is to be monitored widely and closely.
The SD's rise has disrupted the traditional left versus right dynamic in Swedish politics, said Developed Market economist Jonas Golterman and FX strategist Petr Krpata of ING Economics, adding that the Swedish krona has become a bellwether for global risk sentiment.
Stage photo of a party-leader debate in Gavle, September 6, 2018. /VCG Photo
It's difficult to single out the most likely government scenario after the election, University of Gothenburg political scientist Ulf Bjereld said to AFP.
Thorny, drawn-out negotiations are expected after the election, according to reports.
Political observers suggest the most likely outcome would be a new Lofven government, with an even weaker minority than it has now.
(With inputs from agencies)