Swedish general election, September 2022

Summary:

Information Guide focusing on the legislative election held in Sweden on 11 September 2022.

Further information:

Parliamentary elections are held in Sweden every four years to elect all member of the national parliament (Riksdag), which in turn elect the Prime Minister. Regional and municipal elections are held on the same day. The electoral system is proportional, with 310 fixed constituency seats and 39 adjustment seats to correct the deviations from proportional national distribution that may arise when allocating the fixed constituency seats. There is a four percent electoral threshold for a party to elect members of parliament.

The electoral campaign took place alongside Sweden's accession to NATO as a result of Russia's decision to invade Ukraine earlier in the year. It also featured issues such as energy, immigration and crime. The pre-election polls suggested a victory for incumbent centre-left Social Democrats (S), and it became apparent that the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) could emerge as runner-ups ahead of centre-right Moderates (M).

The election resulted in a tight race between the two political blocs. Eventually, the right-wing bloc managed to secure a narrow parliamentary majority (176) due to the electoral growth of the Sweden Democrats, the second most-voted party. The election was nonetheless won by the Social Democrats. Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson (S) conceded defeat on 14 September and offered her resignation. Analysts expected a loose coalition to take shape on the right, led by the Moderates and supported in Parliament by the far-right.

On 19 September, the Moderates leader Ulf Kristersson was handed a mandate to try and form the country's next government.

Commentary and Analysis

Friedrich Ebert Foundation: IPS Journal, 13/12/2021: Sweden's Social Democrats turn left https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/future-of-social-democracy/swedens-social-democrats-turn-left-5605/

Stockholm School of Economics (SSE): News, 22/08/2022: Westerberg writes about the Swedish election https://www.hhs.se/en/about-us/news/cssc/2022/westerberg-writes-about-the-swedish-election/

Robert Schuman Foundation: European Elections Monitor (EEM): Analysis, 31/08/2022: Social Democrats lead in polls, but populist Sweden Democrats could make a breakthrough in the 11 September general election https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/eem/1989-social-democrats-lead-in-polls-but-populist-sweden-democrats-could-make-a-breakthrough-in-the-11-september-general-election

Euro|topics, September 2022: Elections in Sweden: how to tackle violence? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/287885/

Euronews, 06/09/2022: Sweden election: Your quick and easy guide to this month's vote https://www.euronews.com/2022/09/05/sweden-election-your-quick-and-easy-guide-to-this-months-vote

Reuters: Explainer, 06/09/2022: Tough talks beckon for winner in Sweden's close-run election https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/tough-talks-beckon-winner-swedens-close-run-election-2022-09-06/

The Guardian: Interview, 07/09/2022: ‘Deep roots in racist organisations’: Sweden’s PM Magdalena Andersson on the far-right threat in the election https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/07/magdalena-andersson-interview-far-right-threat-sweden-election

Atlantic Council: New Atlanticist Blog, 08/09/2022: Your guide to Sweden’s fringe-driven general election https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/your-guide-to-swedens-fringe-driven-general-election/

Deutsche Welle, 09/09/2022: Sweden's election: What's at stake? https://p.dw.com/p/4Gb6C

Fitch Ratings: Fitch Wire, 09/09/2022: Sweden’s Energy Crisis Response to Take Full Shape After Elections https://www.fitchratings.com/research/sovereigns/swedens-energy-crisis-response-to-take-full-shape-after-elections-09-09-2022

BNP Paribas: Eco Flash No 22-13, 09/09/2022: Can populist forces take power in Sweden? https://economic-research.bnpparibas.com/Views/DisplayPublication.aspx?type=document&IdPdf=46710

Europe Elects: Blog, 10/09/2022: Sweden Parliamentary Elections: Left and Right Down to the Wire on Premiership https://europeelects.eu/2022/09/10/sweden-parliamentary-elections-left-and-right-down-to-the-wire-on-premiership/

Politico: Opinion, 10/09/2022: I don’t recognize Sweden anymore https://www.politico.eu/article/not-recognize-sweden-general-election-2022/

Europe Elects: 2022 Swedish Parliamentary Election Live Blog https://europeelects.eu/2022/09/11/2022-swedish-parliamentary-election-live-blog/

Le Monde, 11/09/2022: Swedish elections: Who are the main candidates for prime minister? https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/09/11/swedish-elections-who-are-the-main-candidates-for-prime-minister_5996523_4.html

The Conversation, 12/09/2022: Swedish election: triumph for the nationalist right leaves establishment parties in a quandary https://theconversation.com/swedish-election-triumph-for-the-nationalist-right-leaves-establishment-parties-in-a-quandary-190467

The Economist, 12/09/2022: The teetering north. Sweden’s election remains too close to call https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/09/12/swedens-election-remains-too-close-to-call

The New Statesman, 12/09/2022: Sweden’s tight election could result in a far right-backed government https://www.newstatesman.com/world/europe/2022/09/sweden-election-far-right-government

Deutsche Welle, 13/09/2022: Sweden's election: The astonishing rise of the right-wing Sweden Democrats https://p.dw.com/p/4GlN8

Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA): Analysis, 13/09/2022: Sweden Pays for a Negative Election https://cepa.org/sweden-pays-for-a-negative-election/

Robert Schuman Foundation: European Elections Monitor (EEM): Results, 13/09/2022: Victory for the rightwing and breakthrough for the Sweden Democrats (SD) are now the second largest party following the parliamentary elections https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/eem/1995-victory-for-the-rightwing-and-breakthrough-for-the-sweden-democrats-sd-are-now-the-second-largest-party-following-the-parliamentary-elections

The Spectator: Coffee House, 14/09/2022: Sweden’s new powerbrokers https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-sweden-s-anti-immigration-party-is-gaining-groun

Deutsche Welle, 15/09/2022: Swedish election: The astonishing rise of the right-wing Sweden Democrats https://p.dw.com/p/4GlN8

London School of Economics (LSE): EUROPP Blog, 15/09/2022: Sweden’s general election: Winners, losers, and what happens next https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2022/09/15/swedens-general-election-winners-losers-and-what-happens-next/

The Conversation, 15/09/2022: Swedish election: what we know so far about the influence the nationalist right will have in the new government https://theconversation.com/swedish-election-what-we-know-so-far-about-the-influence-the-nationalist-right-will-have-in-the-new-government-190789

BBC News, 15/09/2022: Sweden election: How an ex neo-Nazi movement became kingmakers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62913356

Foreign Policy: Argument, 15/09/2022: The Left’s Negative Campaigning Helped the Right Win in Sweden https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/09/15/the-lefts-negative-campaigning-helped-the-right-win-in-sweden/

The Economist, 15/09/2022: Demonising nationalist parties has not stemmed their rise in Europe https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/09/15/demonising-nationalist-parties-has-not-stemmed-their-rise-in-europe

The Guardian: Commentary, 15/09/2022: The far right’s triumph in my country reveals a very Swedish brand of intolerance https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/15/far-right-sweden-intolerance-liberalism-election-results

The New Statesman: Quickfire, 16/09/2022: Sweden’s socialist utopia is crumbling https://www.newstatesman.com/quickfire/2022/09/sweden-election-result-socialist-utopia-crumbling

Investigate Europe: Opinion, 16/09/2022: Uneasy Sweden: far-right election success takes a once fringe movement mainstream https://www.investigate-europe.eu/en/2022/uneasy-sweden-far-right-election-success-takes-a-once-fringe-movement-mainstream/

Euronews, 16/09/2022: Sweden election: Why the far-right were the biggest winners and four other takeaways https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/09/16/sweden-election-why-the-far-right-were-the-biggest-winners-and-four-other-takeaways

Le Monde: Opinion, 16/09/2022: Sweden's conservatives fall into the trap of allying with the far right https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2022/09/16/sweden-s-conservatives-fall-into-the-trap-of-allying-with-the-far-right_5997167_23.html

Euro|topics, September 2022: Election result: Sweden shifts to the right https://www.eurotopics.net/en/288207/

The New York Times: Opinion, 20/09/2022: Sweden Is Becoming Unbearable https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/20/opinion/sweden-democrats-elections.html

The Spectator, 20/09/2022: Marine Le Pen wants France to become the next Sweden https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/marine-le-pen-wants-france-to-become-the-next-sweden

France24: Perspective, 20/09/2022: 'Swedish society has changed': The rise of the far-right Sweden Democrats https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/perspective/20220920-swedish-society-has-changed-the-rise-of-the-far-right-sweden-democrats

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News

The Local (Sweden): Tag: 2022 Swedish Election https://www.thelocal.se/tag/2022-swedish-election/

EurActiv, 14/02/2022: September elections in Sweden still too close to call https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/september-elections-in-sweden-still-too-close-to-call/

Bloomberg 18/08/2022: Sweden’s Opposition in Narrow Lead Ahead of September Vote https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-18/sweden-s-opposition-in-narrow-lead-ahead-of-september-vote

EurActiv, 23/08/2022: Far-right eurosceptic party surge in polls ahead of Swedish elections https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/far-right-eurosceptic-party-surge-in-polls-ahead-of-swedish-elections/

Le Monde, 30/08/2022: Sweden's right wing is willing to join forces with the far right https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/08/30/in-sweden-the-right-is-willing-to-join-forces-with-the-far-right_5995247_4.html

Radio Sweden: Radio Sweden's Election Debate 2022 (31 August 2022) https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/radio-swedens-election-debate-2022

The Guardian, 04/09/2022: Sweden on ‘high alert’ for election interference amid Russia tensions https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/04/sweden-high-alert-election-interference-amid-russia-tensions

Politico, 05/09/2022: Sweden’s narco wars dominate election campaign https://www.politico.eu/article/swedens-narco-war-dominate-election-campaign/

RFI News, 06/09/2022: Three main rivals face off in Sweden's tight election race https://www.rfi.fr/en/people-and-entertainment/20220906-three-main-rivals-face-off-in-sweden-s-tight-election-race

Reuters, 07/09/2022: Once far-right pariah, Sweden Democrats eye kingmaker role https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/once-far-right-pariah-sweden-democrats-eye-kingmaker-role-2022-09-07/

Euronews, 07/09/2022: Sweden election: Russia's actions in Ukraine see Stockholm beef up its fight against disinformation https://www.euronews.com/2022/09/07/sweden-election-russias-actions-in-ukraine-see-stockholm-beef-up-its-fight-against-disinfo

BBC News, 10/09/2022: Sweden election: Gang shootings cast shadow over vote https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62823893

Radio Sweden: Election 2022: Swedish General Election results (Live) https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/swedish-general-election-results-live

Politico, 11/09/2022: Sweden’s right-wing opposition bloc leads tight election https://www.politico.eu/article/swedens-ruling-center-left-takes-slim-lead-in-national-vote-exit-poll/

The Guardian, 11/09/2022: Sweden votes in election amid fears of far-right role in government https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/11/sweden-votes-in-election-amid-fears-of-far-right-role-in-government

France24, 12/09/2022: Anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats leader eyes right-wing election victory https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220911-sweden-s-right-bloc-has-narrow-lead-as-votes-counted-in-election-cliffhanger

Euronews, 12/09/2022: Sweden election: Right-wing bloc edges ahead, but final result could take days https://www.euronews.com/2022/09/12/sweden-election-right-wing-bloc-edges-ahead-but-final-result-could-take-days

RTÉ News, 12/09/2022: Swedish opposition set to oust government in election https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2022/0911/1321788-sweden-election/

The Guardian, 12/09/2022: Swedish election: far right makes gains but overall result on knife-edge https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/11/swedish-election-exit-polls-far-right

Reuters, 12/09/2022: Swedish right opposition inches ahead in election cliff-hanger https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedes-head-polls-close-run-election-marked-by-crime-energy-crisis-2022-09-10/

Euronews, 12/09/2022: Sweden election: Right-wing bloc starts talks to form new government https://www.euronews.com/2022/09/12/sweden-election-right-wing-bloc-edges-ahead-but-final-result-could-take-days

BBC News, 12/09/2022: Sweden election: Result could take days as vote too close to call https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62872545

Bloomberg, 12/09/2022: Swedish Nationalist Set to Take His Party From Pariah to Power https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-12/rock-fan-nationalist-is-the-big-winner-from-sweden-s-election

Le Monde, 12/09/2022: Sweden elections: Far right surges to become country's second-strongest force https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/09/12/sweden-elections-far-right-surges-to-become-country-s-second-strongest-force_5996665_4.html

Associated Press (AP News), 12/09/2022: Swedish voters boost anti-immigration party amid high crime https://apnews.com/article/elections-stockholm-sweden-government-and-politics-9a061363b01b3bc53158f49e06edc0b1

Reuters, 13/09/2022: Sweden Democrat surge a chance and a challenge for right-wing PM hopeful https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sweden-democrat-surge-chance-challenge-right-wing-pm-hopeful-2022-09-13/

EurActiv, 13/09/2022: Swedish far-right vying for PM position ahead of elections results https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/swedish-far-right-vying-for-pm-position-ahead-of-elections-results/

Reuters, 14/09/2022: Swedish right prepares for power as PM accepts election defeat https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedish-pm-andersson-concedes-election-right-bloc-prepares-power-2022-09-14/

France24, 14/09/2022: Swedish PM Magdalena Andersson resigns after far-right election win https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220914-swedish-pm-magdalena-andersson-resigns-after-far-right-election-win

Politico, 14/09/2022: Swedish center-right leader Ulf Kristersson claims election win, faces tough coalition talks https://www.politico.eu/article/swedish-center-right-leader-ulf-kristersson-claims-election-win-faces-tough-coalition-talks/

Euronews, 14/09/2022: Magdalena Andersson: Sweden's PM resigns after conceding election to right-wing https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/09/14/swedens-pm-concedes-election-to-right-wing-bloc-and-will-resign-tomorrow

Associated Press (AP News), 14/09/2022: Right-wing bloc wins narrow majority in Swedish parliament https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-4814cf71f9aa5f0224d5795e7597690c

The Guardian, 14/09/2022: Swedish PM resigns after conceding election defeat to rightwing bloc https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/14/swedish-pm-concedes-election-defeat-to-bloc-led-by-far-right-sweden-democrats

EurActiv, 15/09/2022: Swedish right prepares for power as PM accepts election defeat https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/swedish-right-prepares-for-power-as-pm-accepts-election-defeat/

Le Monde, 15/09/2022: Swedish conservatives faced with difficult task of far-right alliance https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/09/15/swedish-elections-the-right-wing-will-have-to-ally-with-the-far-right-to-govern_5997029_4.html

Reuters, 19/09/2022: Sweden's Moderate Party leader gets nod to try form a new government https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedens-moderate-party-leader-gets-nod-try-form-new-government-2022-09-19/

The Guardian, 19/09/2022: Far-right Sweden Democrats poised to wield influence in new government https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/19/far-right-sweden-democrats-poised-to-wield-influence-in-new-government

EurActiv, 20/09/2022: Coalition talks: far-right still eyes government position https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/coalition-talks-far-right-still-eyes-government-position/

The Irish Times, 21/09/2022: Sweden’s centre-right begins complicated coalition talks https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2022/09/21/swedens-centre-right-begins-complicated-coalition-talks/

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Official

Official Website of the Swedish Election Authority https://www.val.se/

Swedish Parliament: The 2022 election https://www.riksdagen.se/en/the-2022-election/

OSCE: ODIHR: Sweden: General Elections, 11 September 2022 https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/sweden/523610

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Wikipedia: 2022 Swedish general election https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Swedish_general_election

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