Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson resigned on September 17, after a centre-left opposition bloc secured a narrow 176-seat majority in the parliamentary election. Magdalena Andersson, leader of the Social Democrats, is poised to lead government formation talks amid complex coalition negotiations across the political spectrum.
Sweden’s political landscape shifted dramatically on Thursday as Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson submitted his formal resignation to the speaker of parliament. The decision follows the completion of the final vote count for the country’s parliamentary election, which handed a razor-thin majority to the left-leaning opposition led by former prime minister Magdalena Andersson.
The Swedish Election Authority confirmed that the four centre-left opposition parties secured 176 seats in the 349-seat Riksdag. Meanwhile, Kristersson’s incumbent right-wing bloc, which included outside support from the far-right Sweden Democrats, finished with 173 seats. The final outcome hinged on a tight margin of just 50,359 votes between the opposing coalitions.
Ulf Kristersson Submits Resignation Letter Following Narrow Defeat
Following the confirmation of the election results, Kristersson posted his resignation letter to social media platform X. He formally asked to be relieved of his duties so that the parliamentary speaker could immediately initiate the process of forming a new government.
Now it is the speaker who will lead the next stage of the way to a new government.
Ulf Kristersson, outgoing Prime Minister
In his letter, Kristersson acknowledged the complicated parliamentary arithmetic left by the electorate. He called for constructive openness across party lines to ensure stability. While his conservative coalition fell short, the outgoing prime minister had previously promised key ministerial posts for the Sweden Democrats if his coalition took power.
Sweden Democrats Slip to Third Place in Setback
The election dealt a blow to the Sweden Democrats. The anti-immigration party, which traces its roots to the neo-Nazi fringe but has moved toward the political mainstream, saw its share of the parliamentary vote decline for the first time since entering the legislature in 2010. Dropping 11 seats to finish with 62 total, the party fell behind the Moderates to become the third-largest force in parliament.
That regression places Sweden at odds with most of Europe, where the far-right is on the front foot.
Magdalena Andersson Claims Mandate for Change
For the Social Democrats, who remained the single largest party with 99 seats despite losing eight seats compared to 2022, the result offered profound relief. Andersson, who became Sweden’s first woman prime minister in November 2021 before stepping down in October 2022, addressed supporters in Stockholm amid celebrations featuring four cakes decorated with red roses.
Andersson added, To you, I want to say this: This is a new era now. That is what the Swedish people have voted for.
She emphasized that her administration would prioritize addressing the climate crisis, strengthening healthcare and elderly care, reforming immigration policy, and improving schools.
Complicated Coalition Hurdles Lie Ahead for the Opposition Bloc
Securing a parliamentary majority is only the opening act for Andersson, who faces protracted and delicate coalition negotiations. While she has already reached out to potential left-leaning partners—including the Left, Centre, and Green parties—profound ideological divides threaten to stall government formation.
The Centre Party has explicitly ruled out joining any government coalition that includes the Left Party, while the Left Party demands a place in government in exchange for its parliamentary backing. Additional policy clashes loom over taxation and energy policy. Parliamentary speaker Andreas Norlén will direct the formal consultation phase, while the final election outcome remains subject to formal certification.