STOCKHOLM — Sweden became the latest European nation to see a breakthrough for populist right-wingers Sunday, when the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats won their first parliamentary seats in elections that failed to produce a clear outcome.

The prime minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, who led an alliance of four parties, claimed victory and is almost certain to become the first leader from Sweden’s center-right since World War II to serve two consecutive terms.

But, with all the votes counted, the country’s election authority said his alliance was three seats short of the 175 needed for a parliamentary majority.

Nevertheless, Mr. Reinfeldt ruled out working with the Sweden Democrats and called on other parties to support him, a declaration that suggested that Sweden may be headed for a minority government. “We will not cooperate with the Sweden Democrats, we will not make ourselves dependent on them,” he said in front of party workers.

Unlike nearby Denmark and Norway, where populist anti-immigration parties have been successful for years, voters here had never before given the Sweden Democrats sufficient support to overcome the 4 percent threshold they needed to reach Parliament. The election authority said the Sweden Democrats won 5.7 percent of the vote and 20 seats.

With all 5,668 districts counted, the government coalition won 49.2 percent and 172 seats, compared with 43.7 percent and 157 seats for the opposition bloc.

With its high taxes and a generous welfare system, Sweden has been regarded by many outsiders as a bastion of liberalism and tolerance — immune from far-right politics.

However the integration of minorities within this nation of 9.4 million people has become a growing preoccupation, especially in cities that have experienced high rates of immigration.

Though the official campaign was dominated by discussion of welfare reform and taxation, immigration lurked beneath the surface.

Young, slick and tough-talking, the leader of the Sweden Democrats, Jimmie Akesson, 31, campaigned for a 90 percent reduction in immigration. He described Muslim population growth as the greatest foreign threat to the country since World War II. He has also called for the immediate withdrawal of Swedish troops from Afghanistan.

“We are in Parliament, we got in,” Mr. Akesson told jubilant supporters who chanted his name late Sunday. “I am overwhelmed, we made history.”

Though Mr. Akesson complained about what he called a media boycott of his campaign, he promised not to destabilize the political system, even though the parliamentary situation was uncertain. “We will act responsibly,” he said.

Sweden’s vote comes at a time when immigration is high on the European agenda. Last week, France’s decision to expel thousands of Roma caused frictions and frayed tempers within the European Union.

In Sweden, mainstream politics is changing. For most of the last century, political life was dominated by the Social Democrats, one of the most successful vote-winning parties in Europe. Ejected from power in 2006 by Mr. Reinfeldt, their decline has deepened. The results on Sunday amounted to their worst election result since World War I.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/world/europe/20sweden.html

Swedish far-right wins first seats in parliament

A far-right party in Sweden has won seats in parliament for the first time, denying the governing centre-right coalition an overall majority.

The anti-immigration Sweden Democrats have won 20 of the 349 seats in the country's single assembly, following Sunday's general election.

The alliance, led by centre-right Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, fell short of a clear victory with 172 seats.

Mr Reinfeldt says he will seek the support of the opposition Green Party.

The Greens are currently allied with the centre-left Social Democrats.

Green Party co-chair Maria Wetterstrand said the opposition bloc - which won 157 seats - remained united.

Mr Reinfeldt also did not rule out working with the Social Democrats.

"On many questions there is a possibility for broader co-operation," he told reporters. "We have to see how the Social Democrats define their road ahead."

However the prime minister reiterated that his four-party Alliance for Sweden would not form a coalition with the far-right.

"I have been clear on how we will handle this uncertain situation," he said. "We will not co-operate, or become dependent on, the Sweden Democrats".

'Media boycott'

Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson said his party would use the opportunity to make itself heard, as it had not been invited to official debates during the campaign.

"We have in many ways been treated as anything but a political party in this election," he said.

"Even so, today we stand here with a fantastic result. The situation is a bit uncertain just now, but we have four years ahead of us to speak out on the issues that matter to us and influence Swedish politics."

BBC regional reporter Damien McGuinness said the success of the far right has shocked many voters in Sweden.

Winning 20 seats in parliament, the Sweden Democrats have obviously touched a nerve, he adds.

The party appears to have tapped into voter dissatisfaction over immigration, says our correspondent, with the result undermining the image of Sweden as a tolerant and open-minded country.

Mr Reinfeldt could remain in office with a minority government - which although not that unusual in Sweden, would mean he would have to win over other parties to push through bills.

Immigrants make up 14% of the country's population of 9.4 million.

The Social Democrats have ruled Sweden for 65 of the past 78 years, and are credited with setting up the country's generous welfare state.

Conceding defeat on Sunday, party leader Mona Sahlin said they had not been able to win back voters' confidence.

"The Alliance is the largest majority. It is now up to Fredrick Reinfeldt how he plans to rule Sweden without letting the Sweden Democrats get political influence."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11367622

Sweden Democrats Party:

Founded in 1988; led by Jimmie Akesson

Describes itself as a nationalist movement

Wants to curtail immigration; says Islam is un-Swedish

Denies allegations of racism

Strong support base in southern Sweden