Swedish right and left neck-and-neck as anti-immigration party gains

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven talks to media after the election

Sweden's left- and right-wing blocs were neck-and-neck in an election today that saw support surge for the nationalist Sweden Democrats, exit polls indicated, as one of Europe's most liberal states turns right amid fears over immigration.

The ruling centre-left Social Democrats and Greens and their Left Party parliamentary allies were seen winning 39.4% of the vote, while the opposition centre-right Alliance were seen at 39.6%.

The Sweden Democrats, a party with white supremacist roots, rose to 19.2% from 12.9% in the previous election, the poll by public service broadcaster SVT suggested, depriving either of the mainstream blocs of a parliamentary majority.

Another, smaller poll by TV4 had the Sweden Democrats taking 16.3%.

The process of forming a stable government out of the deadlocked parliament could take weeks and, potentially, end in failure.

The far-right Sweden Democrats is led by Jimmie Akesson

Acrimony between the two main political blocs has defined Swedish politics for decades, and the rise of the Sweden Democrats - long a pariah grouping in parliament - has hugely complicated the political landscape.

The Sweden Democrats' success follows a surge in popularity for other far-right parties in Europe amid growing anxiety over national identity and the effects of globalisation and fears over immigration following armed conflict in the Middle East and North Africa.

The election will add to concerns in Brussels as the European Union enters campaign mode ahead of the European Parliament election in May, which could give more voice to eurosceptic groups and thwart efforts at closer EU integration.