Three right-leaning parties favored in mock elections among high school students in Sweden

In a recent mock election aimed at engaging young voters, three right-leaning political parties emerged as the favorites among high school students. The Independence Party garnered the most support, receiving 19.6% of the votes, closely followed by the Center Party at 19% and the Reform Party at 17.3%. Surprisingly, the Social Democratic Party, which has often been a leading party in national polls, slipped to fourth place with only 12.7%.

The mock elections involved over 10,000 eligible high school voters, with a turnout of 34.9%, translating to approximately 4,000 students participating. Organized by the National Youth Council, this initiative is part of a broader democratic project designed to encourage political engagement among young people.

Historically, the Independence Party has dominated these mock elections, maintaining a strong lead since the project’s inception in 2016, achieving about a quarter of the votes in both 2016 and 2017. However, its support has decreased by nearly 3% since the last election. In contrast, the Center Party has seen a significant rise in popularity, jumping from previously low values to capture the second spot. The Reform Party has also increased its support by over 10% compared to past elections.

Notably, two major high schools did not participate in this round of voting due to a strike, which may have impacted the overall results. The event highlights the evolving political landscape among young voters in the country.