Swedish election ends in tight finale. Preliminary results give opposition a 3-seat majority

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden’s national election was too close to call early Monday, with preliminary results giving the left-wing opposition a narrow three-seat advantage over Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing coalition and days of uncertainty until the final ballots are counted.

Preliminary results showed a very narrow lead for the opposition and former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's bid to return to office at the head of the left coalition. But Kristersson also said he would explore “possibilities" given the close result.

With 94% of the vote counted early Monday, the Swedish Election Authority reported the four opposition parties were heading for 176 seats in the 349-seat parliament to 173 seats for the government alliance.

The outcome of the election may not be decided until Wednesday, when local election boards count early votes that did not make it to the polling stations by Election Day. This includes, among others things, overseas votes.

Andersson told supporters that “we must wait for the final election result” but added that “right now we are leading ... But we have to wait for the final result.”

Kristersson has led Sweden since 2022 with a three-party center-right coalition. It relied on outside support from the Sweden Democrats, an anti-immigration party that has far-right roots but has moved toward the political mainstream, for a parliamentary majority. The Sweden Democrats had been promised Cabinet posts this time if the governing coalition were returned to office.

“When we have the final result it's a good idea to look at possible combinations,” he said early Monday, adding that “there is a very clear non-socialist majority, or non-left leaning economic majority in the Swedish parliament. And I will actually take note of that and at least figure out whether there are any possibilities.”

Sweden Democrat's leader Jimmie Åkesson said that “we will not know tonight” who will form the next government. The party's support slipped to just under 18%, down about 3 percentage points from its 2022 result, and it fell from second to third place.

Exit polls from public broadcaster SVT had initially shown the left-wing parties ahead by several percentage points. The exit polls set off jubilation at the Social Democrats’ election gathering but the mood shifted to quiet waiting as the results indicated a closer race.

The center left Social Democrats have led most Swedish governments since World War II. Andersson served as prime minister from 2021 until she lost power at the last election. To return to office she would have to seal a coalition agreement with other parties.

There are two major political blocs: one with four parties on the right and another with four parties on the left. So the big question is less about which party wins and more about which side can form a majority. Individual parties need a minimum of 4% of the vote to win parliamentary seats.

With broad political consensus in Sweden on several major issues such as support for Ukraine and the country’s decision to join NATO, much election discussion focused on the possibility of the anti-immigration hard right entering government. The Sweden Democrats’ role was in focus against a background of gains for the populist right in Europe, including the first-place finish by the far-right Alternative for Germany party in a regional election there Sept. 6.

The Sweden Democrats were founded in the 1980s by people who had been active in right-wing extremist groups, including neo-Nazis. They toned down their rhetoric and expelled openly racist members under Åkesson, who has led them since 2005 and overseen their growth from what was once a marginal party.

More than 8 million people in the nation of about 10.6 million were eligible to vote.

McHugh reported from Frankfurt, Germany

Liberal Party members react to the presentation of the exit poll at the election night watch party, in Stockholm, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. (Anders Wiklund/TT News Agency via AP)

The Centre Party members react to the presentation of the exit poll at the election night watch party, in Stockholm, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. (Fredrik Sandberg/TT News Agency via AP)

Social Democrats react to the presentation of the exit poll at the Social Democrats' election night watch party, in Stockholm, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. (Jonas Ekströmer/TT News Agency via AP)

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, leader of the Moderate party (M) casts his vote at a polling station at Multeum Cultural Center in Strangnas, Sweden, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. (Claudio Bresciani/TT News Agency via AP)

Voters cast their ballots at a polling station set up in a school, in Enkoping, Sweden, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. (Fredrik Sandberg/TT News Agency via AP)

Voters cast their ballots at a polling station set up in a school, in Enkoping, Sweden, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. (Fredrik Sandberg/TT News Agency via AP)

A ballot envelope is placed in a ballot box at a polling station at the City Hall in Malmo, Sweden, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP)

Social Democrats party leader Magdalena Andersson votes at a polling station in Nacka, Sweden, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.(Stefan Jerrevång/TT News Agency via AP)

Leader of the Sweden Democrats party Jimmie Åkesson votes in Rinkeby, a suburb of Stockholm, Saturday Sept. 12, 2026, a day prior to the general election in Sweden. (Claudio Bresciani/TT via AP)

Election workers Felicia Platner and Nora Aissaoui visit the Vardaga Kullabo nursing home with a mobile polling station, in in Huddinge, Sweden, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Jessica Gow/TT via AP)

Social Democrats party leader Magdalena Andersson arrives for a party leadership televised debate in Gävle, Sweden, on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Anders Wiklund/TT News Agency via AP)

From left, the Liberals' Simona Mohamsson, Sweden Democrats' Jimmie Åkesson, Christian Democrats' Ebba Busch and Moderates' leader Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson arrive on the Moderates' bus for the party leadership televised debate in Gävle, Sweden, on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Anders Wiklund/TT News Agency via AP)

People wait in line at a polling station in Triangeln shopping center Friday evening to give their early vote, in Malmo, Sweden Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, ahead of general elections on Sunday (Johan Nilsson/TT via AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Myles Garrett is expected to return to the field for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at Washington after missing the past seven games with a knee injury.

Coach Sean McVay announced Garrett's likely availability, barring a late setback, on Friday before practice. The Rams (4-4) acquired the two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in a trade over the summer, but he has played in just one game for his new team.

“I’m just grateful that he’s back and that he’s feeling really good,” McVay said.

Garrett hasn't played since the Rams' season opener, when he made no tackles in their blowout loss to the 49ers in Australia. Afterward, Garrett revealed he wasn't fully fit due to a knee injury that limited him throughout training camp.

Garrett underwent surgery when the Rams returned from Melbourne, and he was sidelined until he returned to practice this week. McVay acknowledged that the Rams will examine whether Garrett should have had his surgery earlier in the year, but the Rams aren't looking back.

“You always want to reflect back on what we would do differently,” McVay said.

Garrett finally will get to play with Aaron Donald against the Commanders. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year was tempted out of his 2 1/2-year retirement by the Rams' acquisition of Garrett, but Donald didn't make the trip to Australia while ramping up his fitness.

The Rams' pass rush hasn't been great in Garrett's absence. Although Los Angeles is pressuring quarterbacks at a reasonable clip, the team is tied for 26th in the league with just 12 sacks, leading to frustration.

“We keep attacking, but we're not finishing off all the plays,” said edge rusher Byron Young, who leads the Rams with 4 1/2 sacks. “I think we've been getting good pressure, but not getting the quarterback down and finishing games ... Having MG back will help that for sure.”

Tight end Terrance Ferguson also is expected to return to the Rams' lineup against Washington. He has been out since September with an ankle sprain.

While Garrett likely returns to the defense's front line, the Rams' secondary is hurting. Jaylen Watson is out for the season with a shoulder injury, and fellow starting cornerback Trent McDuffie missed the entire week of practice with a back injury.

McDuffie is questionable for Sunday, as is safety Kam Curl, who has a foot injury.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

FILE - Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett walks back to the locker room before an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)