Sweden’s centre-left opposition bloc has taken an early lead in the nation's general election, according to exit polls released on Sunday evening. Projections from public broadcaster SVT show the centre-left parties securing 51.3 percent of the vote, surpassing the right-wing bloc's 46.8 percent.

Voting concluded at 18:00 GMT, with official counting now underway and early results anticipated from the Swedish Election Authority within hours. The outcome of this election holds significance for the broader political landscape in Europe, where left-leaning parties have recently faced challenges from the rise of right-wing and far-right movements.

Broadcaster TV4 also released an election-day poll showing a similar lead for the centre-left. While exit polls are generally indicative, they have not always accurately predicted Sweden's election results. In 2022, for instance, exit polls suggested a centre-left victory, but the election was ultimately won by a right-wing coalition led by the current Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson.

This projected early lead for the centre-left, potentially led by Magdalena Andersson's Social Democrats, could offer a respite for progressive parties across the continent. It contrasts with recent gains by right-wing parties, such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which achieved a significant result in a key state election last week.

Earlier in the campaign, the centre-left bloc appeared to be heading for a comfortable win. However, the race tightened considerably in the final weeks, narrowing what was once a lead of around 10 percentage points to just two to three points by the campaign's close.

If the projected results hold, it could diminish the likelihood of the nationalist Sweden Democrats entering the government for the first time. The party, which has roots in the neo-Nazi movement, became the largest party on the right in the 2022 election, providing crucial parliamentary support for Kristersson's minority government. Prime Minister Kristersson had indicated in April that his Moderate party would be open to including the Sweden Democrats in a governing coalition if the right secured a majority.

Conversely, if the early exit polls prove inaccurate, Sweden's election could lead to the Sweden Democrats gaining cabinet positions, a significant shift for the party that has remained outside government until now. Their performance in 2022, securing 20.5 percent of the vote, underscored their growing influence.

The final official results will determine whether the centre-left can translate these early projections into a governing majority or if the political landscape will shift towards a right-wing coalition including the far-right Sweden Democrats.