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Opposition closing in on government: poll

Published: 8 May 11 11:04 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/33650/20110508/

Sweden's centre-right government continues to hold a slight lead over the three main opposition parties, but a new opinion poll shows that the former Red-Green coalition has narrowed the gap.

The four-party Alliance government retains a lead of just 2.2 percentage points over the Social Democrats, Greens and Left Party, according to a survey of 1,000 voters by pollster Skop.

The Moderate Party, headed by Prime Minster Fredrik Reinfeldt, has dropped 1.1 points since the previous poll but remains the largest party with 33.4 percent.

"The Alliance is in a downward trend," said Skop analyst Birgitta Hultåker in a statement. "The centre-right lead was strongest at the start of the year when the gap between the blocs was 12.8 percent. Since then the lead has gradually been reduced."

The Social Democrats, sitting in opposition for an unprecedented second term, trail the Moderates by 3 points and have not witnessed a major upsurge in support since the appointment of new leader Håkan Juholt.

All eight parties in parliament surpassed the 4 percent threshold required for representation.

The far-right Sweden Democrats continued to enjoy more support than the Centre Party and the Christian Democrats, both of which form part of the governing Alliance.

Skop polled voters from April 13 to May 5. Respondents were asked to name their favourite national political party.

Skop poll results (previous result in parentheses)

Moderate Party, 33.4 percent (-1.1)
Liberal Party, 6.0 (-1.4)
Centre Party, 4.3 (+0.8)
Christian Democrats, 4.0 (+1.1)
Social Democrats, 30.4 (+0.3)
Left Party, 6.1 (+0.6)
Green Party, 9.0 (0.0)
Sweden Democrats, 5.9 (+0.7)
Others, 0.9 (-0.9)

The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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14:05 May 8, 2011 by jomamas
Once again, a misleading headline from a shamefully biased news source.

The results show clear fragmentation both to the left and to the right, with strong gains for both Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats.

In terms of percentage gains - the CD and SwD have in fact won big - by far.

And yest, some modest gains by SD is enough to create a leftist heading from this obviously communist 'news' site.

In the end - all of this movement is within margin of error anyhow.

Shame on 'the Local' ...
16:56 May 8, 2011 by SimonDMontfort
It is, lets face it, all chatterbox stuff.

Might be of more interest if an election were due soon - but Sweden has just a few months ago, had one
18:35 May 8, 2011 by Spyronic
Why doesn't the local make an article about the recent Demoskop poll that showed the Sweden Democrats getting 7,1%? All the Swedish media have deliberately chosen to highlight this Skop poll instead of the Demoskop poll because of their strong hate towards the SD! The Swedish media is dominated by people who support The Left party, The Greens and the leftist faction of the Peoples party! Conservatism and nationalism is hated strongly by the leftist press in Sweden!
19:44 May 8, 2011 by wenddiver
Nothing looks quite as stupid as neckties worn with hard hats.
08:50 May 9, 2011 by HYBRED
The necktie keeps the foreskin from flying up over their heads.
11:59 May 9, 2011 by miss79
@wenddiver and hybred ..hahahahahah funny u2
12:09 May 9, 2011 by wenddiver
@Miss79-Thanks

@HYBRED-Good one!
21:32 May 9, 2011 by HYBRED
@ wenddiver & Miss79 > Thanks
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