Sweden election: Social Democrats may regain power

Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt took office in 2006 and is the country's longest serving conservative leader

Swedes are voting in a parliamentary election, with the latest opinion polls suggesting the Social Democrats may regain power.

The left-leaning party narrowly led the governing centre-right government.

Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, who took office in 2006, has won praise for how he dealt with the economic crisis.

But a Social Democrats win would be a return to normality in Sweden. They have not been in opposition for so long since first taking power in 1920.

Polling stations opened at 06:00 GMT and close at 18:00 GMT.

Another coalition?

Since coming to power, Mr Reinfeldt's coalition government has cut income and corporate taxes, abolished a tax on wealth and trimmed welfare benefits.

Experts say Social Democrats leader Stefan Lofven is likely to be forced to form a coalition government

It has also privatised several state-owned companies, including the maker of Absolut vodka.

Pre-election polls showed the opposition bloc, headed by Social Democrat leader Stefan Lofven, with a clear lead over Mr Reinfeldt's coalition, although the gap has narrowed in recent weeks.

"I feel good and I think we have a strong chance," Mr Lofven said as he cast his ballot in the capital, Stockholm.

"We have focused on our main issues - jobs, schools welfare."

After voting in another part of Stockholm, Mr Reinfeldt spoke of a "formidable campaign", adding his party was ready for another four years in power.

The Social Democrats are expected to win about 30% of the vote, meaning Mr Lofven is likely to have to form a coalition government.

The Greens and the Left party are possible allies but experts say an alliance with both could still leave the Social Democrats short of support.

This could mean the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, who are alone in opposing the country's liberal immigration policy, could hold the balance of power.

Sweden this year expects up to 80,000 asylum-seekers from Syria, Eritrea, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries - the highest number since 1992.