Sweden's right wing poised for election victory on far-right gains

Sweden's right-wing looked set to oust Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's left-wing bloc in Sunday's general election on strong gains by the far-right, clinging to a slim lead with 94% of electoral districts counted. 

The right-wing bloc was credited with a majority of 176 of 349 seats in parliament, with the left bloc trailing with 173.

With the vote deemed too close to call, election authorities said they did not expect a final result until Wednesday when the last ballots from abroad and from advance voting had been counted. 

The Swedish Conservatives party leader asks for "patience" in tight election. Video: AFP

"We're not going to have a final result tonight", Andersson, 55, told her cheering supporters as the outcome hung in the air, calling on Swedes to "have patience" and "let democracy run its course".

Andersson's challenger Ulf Kristersson of the conservative Moderates and the leader of the right-wing bloc, said that while the election results could still change, "I am ready to build a new and strong government".

The Moderates and two other smaller right-wing parties have for the first time tied up with the anti-immigration and nationalist Sweden Democrats, which...