Narrow win for Swedish opposition (Centre-right Coaltion)

[tritsofme]

Sweden's centre-right opposition bloc has defeated the ruling Social Democrat party in the country's closest-fought general election for decades.
Moderate party leader Fredrik Reinfeldt gave a jubilant declaration of victory as near-complete results gave him a 1% lead.

Prime Minister Goran Persson conceded defeat, saying he and his government would resign.

The Social Democrat party has ruled for all but 10 of the past 89 years.

<SNIP>
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5353092.stm

[AX10]

1. Sorry to hear that.

Even though they are to the left of the Neo-Cons, I cannot support the win of any center-right government anywhere. They have proven themselves time and time again that they cannot be trusted to do what is right.

[Fenris]

2. Not a really big loss.

Especially considering the statistic the article cites.

[kryckis]

5. It's a loss

for the sick and unemployed, unfortunatly. It's their benefits that will be cut to fund lower taxes for wealthy people.

[gasperc]

22. except they'll govern like they got 65% of the vote

if the American and German models are taken into consideration

[SoCalDem]

3. Do they use Diebold?...n/t

[kryckis]

4. No.

All paper ballots.

[Kagemusha]

6. Like a civilized nation should IMHO.

Just my view.

[xchrom]

7. just remember swedish centre right

would very liberal here.

and that really says nothing about how liberal or progressive the average swede is.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. very true

[NaturalHigh]

11. Agreed.

It's not like this is going to be a right-wing government. The old government was EXTREMELY left by U.S. standards. I actually think this is a pretty good thing.

[Swede Atlanta]

9. Not a big upset

I lived and studied in Sweden. The so-called "conservative" or borgerlig coaltion is not a conservative party by U.S. standards. They will continue to support the basic strucure of Swedish society including the social benefits. The Social Democrats have been rocked by a number of perceived failures including public outcry at the lack of response in the face of the Asian tsunami where many Swedes lost their lives as well as some domestic political scandals.

I wouldn't be too worried about any big shift in domestic or foreign policy. The Swedish electorate will remain opposed to Bush and his cronies.

[gorbal]

16. I wonder if they will remain at the top of all the standard of life indexs

Sweden has always been at or near the top of quality of life indexes, I wonder if this will change?

[kryckis]

10. "Final" results in Swedish election

Social Democratic party ... 35,2%
Moderate party ... 26,1%
Center Party ... 7,9%
Liberal party ... 7,5%
Christian Democratic party ... 6,6%
Left Party ... 5,8%
Green Party ... 5,2%
----
Other ... 5,7%


Voter turnout: ... 80,4%

[Nimrod2005]

12. Are your numbers reversed? Moderate party won?

[tritsofme]

14. IIRC it was a moderate coaltion that won, not a single party. nt

[kryckis]

20. Right

The Moderates, Center Party, Liberals and Christian Democrats togheter won the most seats and will govern in a coalition.

[cliss]

17. Hi, Kryckis and thanks

for those numbers. I myself voted in that election, even though I live in Oregon. And I guess I'm disappointed...

Tack för resultatet.:smoke:

[kryckis]

19. I'm adding a link

to those numbers... Some ballots have not been counted yet but nothing in the final result should change.

http://www.val.se/val/val2006/valnatt/R/rike/roster.html

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

21. I would just like to point something out.

Voter turnout: ... 80,4%

THAT is a sign of a healthy democracy.

[Nimrod2005]

23. Simply amazing....I love Swedes, they love everybody!!!

Very informed population for sure...

[bluestateguy]

13. As long as they are against the Iraq War, I'll get along w/ them just fine

The Right in Western Europe is not so "Right" on a lot of the issues by American standards.

[tritsofme]

15. Exactly

IIRC Chirac is one of France's most conservative presidents in quite some time.

[darkism]

18. No seats for Piratpartiet. :( n/t