Nail-biting finish to Swedish election

SWEDEN’S election was heading for a nail-biting finish yesterday with a TV exit poll and partial results showing a far-right party challenging the centre-right government’s majority in Parliament.

The exit poll by public broadcaster SVT showed the Islam-bashing Sweden Democrats party could play a kingmaker role, with no clear majority for the governing coalition or the left-wing opposition.

But a forecast based on partial official results showed Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt’s government clinging to a one-seat majority in the 349-seat legislature.