Sweden’s prime minister resigns after election defeat as right-wing extremists claim narrow victory
Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has resigned after a coalition of right-wing and far-right parties emerged from the nation’s elections as the dominant political force.
Andersson, the leader of the progressive Social Democratic Party, has only served as prime minister since her predecessor Stefan Löfven resigned in 2021.
However, it was under her leadership that Sweden made the decision to overturn a century-old policy of military neutrality and applied with neighboring Finland to join the NATO defense alliance, in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Like many other European leaders, she has also faced energy and cost-of-living challenges as the impact of the war ripples across the continent.
Andersson emerged from the Swedish parliamentary election on Sunday as the leader of the largest party, with 107 of the Riksdag’s 349 seats, but with no way left to govern due to successes by the far right.
The biggest winners were the far-right Sweden Democrats, who emerged as the second largest party, with 73 seats, after tapping into fears of immigration and rising crime.
Ulf Kristersson, leader of the center party Moderates, is expected to try to form a new government coalition that relies on support from right-wing parties, including the Sweden Democrats, the Christian Democrats and the Liberals.
Together, the center-right, right-wing and right-wing parties have a narrow majority of 176 seats.
Andersson conceded defeat on Wednesday and confirmed she would resign the next day, telling reporters: “In parliament they have an advantage of one or two seats. It’s a slim majority, but it’s a majority.”
She warned that many Swedes were worried about the Sweden Democrats’ electoral success, adding: “I see your concern and I share it.”
A triumphant Mr. Kristersson said: “I will now begin the work of forming a new government that can get things done, a government for all of Sweden and all citizens.
“There is great frustration in society, a fear of violence, concern for the economy, the world is very uncertain and the political polarization has become far too great even in Sweden. Therefore, my message is that I want to unite, not divide.”
Other parties in Sweden have historically refused to cooperate with the Sweden Democrats, due to their far-right links and hardline political platforms.
Although Kristersson’s party only came third, he is the most likely to take office, as Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson cannot get the broad support needed to govern.
Forming an administration and agreeing on a budget will not be easy, because the Liberals and the Sweden Democrats refuse to sit together – or separately – in the government and differ in many policy areas.
Kristersson will likely try to form a government with the Christian Democrats and rely on support in the Riksdag from the Sweden Democrats and the Liberals.
Andersson said her door was open to Kristersson if he wanted to reconsider his alliance with the Sweden Democrats, adding: “Sweden will now have an administration that is only one or two parliamentary seats away from a government crisis.”
Additional reporting from authorities