SWEDEN: Sweden's Social Democrats will likely be returned to power in a general election tomorrow. Orla Clinton reports from Stockholm
Sweden goes to the polls tomorrow in parliamentary elections. Prime Minister Mr Göran Persson's minority Social Democratic government is fighting to retain power against a four-party non-socialist alliance, in an election campaign best described as low key.
For the voter, there has been little on offer to distinguish the seven political parties vying for power. Even the alliance of the Moderates, Liberals, Christian Democrats and Centre Party has failed to arouse enthusiasm.
With a campaign strategy solely devised to defeat the Social Democrats, voters remain sceptical as to the efficacy of a non-socialist government, especially in light of past performance and current disunity on certain issues.
The Liberal Party has provided the turning point in the campaign. Their controversial immigration policy, which proposes language tests for citizenship and for the immigration of labour, has seen their popularity almost double. They are also campaigning for a national school voucher system as well as a revised grading system in schools.
Christian Democrat leader Mr Alf Svensson has been speaking mainly on family policies, talking about a child's need for a secure environment, and the need for both a mother and father, reflecting the party's opposition to adoptions by homosexual couples.
The Moderates are promising tax reductions and want to decrease people's dependence on subsidies, while lauding free market policies.
The Centre Party's concerns have focused on health.
But cracks are beginning to show in the alliance. The Christian Democrat leader has criticised the Centre Party for taking a new position on family policies, including its support for gay adoptions.
The Centre Party, among others, has been critical of the Liberals' immigration policy.
One final and still-undecided issue for the non-socialist bloc concerns who would fill the post of prime minister. Mr Alf Svensson (64) of the Christian Democrats is the more experienced politician, while the younger Liberal leader, Mr Lars Leijonborg (52), is also popular.
Sweden's parliament, the Riksdag, comprises 349 members who serve four-year terms. The system is based on proportional representation. Small parties must gain the necessary 4 per cent of the national vote to qualify for any seats.
But a party can still gain a seat in any constituency if it attains 12 per cent of the votes there, even if its national vote is below 4 per cent.
In the last election the Social Democrats were the biggest losers, falling to 36.4 per cent of the total vote. But, despite defeat, they managed to hang on to power through an alliance with the Left and Green parties.
That alliance could now be in jeopardy, with concerns that the Greens may not attain that vital 4 per cent.
The Left Party is also causing headaches for the Social Democrats with its leader, Ms Gudrun Schyman, not guaranteeing her support.
However, it is unlikely the Left will withhold its support, as this would push the party out of government.
Recent polls suggest many voters remain undecided but that the non-socialist parties have increased their share of the vote. However, there is little to separate the two party blocs.
Predictably, the traditional issues of education, health and family politics have dominated the campaign.
Economic growth and tax reductions have been the mantra of the two main parties - the Social Democrats and the Moderates - but the debate has been more akin to mud-slinging than offering viable solutions for the future.
The Swedish economy has grown, says Mr George Joseph, an expert on immigration policies and visiting professor in political science at Wisconsin University.
"Whatever criticisms are levelled at the Social Democrats, voters are conscious that six years ago the economy was weaker," he said.
"Standards haven't really gone down but it has been more a problem of utilising resources properly," argues Mr Joseph. "Yes, there are problems in the schools and health service but Sweden is still well off in many areas."
For analysts, the most interesting aspect of this campaign has been the Liberal Party's increased prominence, which has opened up the election debate on many fronts.
While all parties have generous immigration policies, none except the Liberals has articulated the issue, a move which has set this party apart.
Mr Mikael Gilljam, a political scientist at Gothenburg University, maintains that the Liberals' immigration policy is all part of a tougher image which the party needs to foster after a period of weakness.
"The liberals realise that immigration is a problem and an issue and they want to talk about it," he said.
"The debate is not just focused on rights but also on what obligations we have as citizens."
George Joseph agrees adding that the Liberals' integration and immigration policy could be seen as the more progressive view, one that wants to address the issue instead of silencing it.
Opinion polls still place Mr Persson ahead.
And most observers concede that Swedes will play it safe this Sunday and stick with the devil they know.