MaktkartanPublished: Text updated:
Negative parliamentarism
Since the current Instrument of Government took effect in 1975, it is enough that a candidate for prime minister does not have a majority against them. A proposal is rejected only if at least 175 members - more than half of the Riksdag's 349 - vote no. Members voting yes, abstaining or absent all count as acceptance.
This makes minority governments common in Sweden: a government can stay in office as long as the opposition cannot unite to bring it down.
From election to prime minister
After the election the Speaker consults the party leaders to explore which government options the Riksdag could accept - the so-called Speaker's rounds. The Speaker then puts forward a candidate for prime minister, whom the Riksdag votes on within four days.
If the proposal is rejected the process starts over. Four rejected proposals within three months can trigger a snap election. Once the Riksdag has accepted a prime minister, they appoint their cabinet ministers, and the government takes office at a change-of-government council at Stockholm Palace.
Caretaker government
When a government has resigned but no new one has been chosen, the outgoing government handles current business as a caretaker government. It should not take major new decisions or present new proposals.
After the 2026 election the situation is this: V, S, MP and C together won 176 seats and M, SD, KD and L 173. The Kristersson government handles business as a caretaker government while a new one is formed.