Story perspectives

Andersson’s bloc defeats Kristersson in Sweden election

By Drooid · Sep 17, 2026, 10:46 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Andersson Defeats Kristersson

Magdalena Andersson’s centre-left bloc defeated Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing bloc.
With 99% of votes counted, Andersson’s bloc held a 26,169-vote lead at 16:47 GMT.
Election data projected the opposition to win 175 seats in the 349-seat Riksdag.
Late domestic and overseas ballots will be counted through Thursday.
The narrow victory creates a likely government change but tough coalition talks.

Summary

Sweden Democrats Lose Support

Sweden Democrats’ vote share fell to about 17.5% of the total votes cast, down from 20.5% in 2022.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s government ended permanent residency for refugees and tightened welfare eligibility rules.
Forming a coalition will require four parties to reconcile splits on immigration, wealth taxes, and nuclear reactors.
Sweden Democrats, originally linked to neo-Nazi founders, now say they have purged extremists.

History

Historical Context

On 19 September 1976 Sweden held a general election that ended the Social Democratic Party’s uninterrupted rule since the mid-1930s. Although the Social Democrats remained the largest party with 152 of 349 seats, the Centre, People’s and Moderate parties formed a coalition government under Centre leader Thorbjörn Fälldin, controlling 180 seats and governing until 1982.

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Andersson Defeats Kristersson

Magdalena Andersson’s centre-left bloc defeated Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing bloc.
With 99% of votes counted, Andersson’s bloc held a 26,169-vote lead at 16:47 GMT.
Election data projected the opposition to win 175 seats in the 349-seat Riksdag.
Late domestic and overseas ballots will be counted through Thursday.
The narrow victory creates a likely government change but tough coalition talks.

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