Sweden's 2026 Election

The story so far

As of September 17, 2026

Sweden’s election count is complete, and the left-leaning opposition now holds 176 of the 349 seats in the Riksdag, three more than the parties that backed the outgoing government. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has resigned. The Social Democrats finished as the largest single party with 99 seats, positioning their leader, former prime minister Magdalena Andersson, to try to form a government. The margin in votes was about 50,000, and the outcome hinged on late and overseas ballots.

The next move belongs to the speaker of parliament, Andreas Norlén, who will consult party leaders and propose a prime minister. Under Sweden’s rules, a nominee is approved unless a majority of lawmakers vote no, which means Andersson must prevent 175 votes against her rather than assemble 175 in favor. The earliest parliament can vote on a new prime minister is September 29. Minority governments are common in Sweden, and agreements outside the cabinet often decide who can govern and whose budget passes.

What this story has turned into is a test of whether Andersson can knit together a working arrangement among parties that disagree with each other more than they disagree with the outgoing right on some issues. The Centre Party moved left to avoid governing with the Sweden Democrats, but says it will not sit in a cabinet that includes the socialist Left Party. The Left Party wants a minister in return for support. That clash, plus gaps on taxes and energy policy, is the core obstacle that explains why a numerical majority has not yet become a government.

Two facts shape the stakes. First, the Sweden Democrats slipped to third place with 62 seats, which weakens the right’s leverage and closes the door, for now, on the cabinet role Kristersson had floated for them. Second, there is broad agreement in parliament on some major directions, including support for Ukraine and Sweden’s recent entry into NATO, so the fight is mostly over taxes, welfare, climate and immigration at home. If Andersson cannot secure enough tolerance in parliament, Kristersson will get a turn, and Sweden’s rules allow up to four failed prime minister votes before a new election must be called.