V · Party in the Riksdag
Left Party
Democratic socialism, feminism, ecologism. Founded 1917. Party leader: Nooshi Dadgostar (2020-).
- Vote share 2026
- 8,4 %
- Votes
- 568 781
- seats
- 30 (+6)
- Bloc
- Red-green side
History
The party was founded in 1917 when the left wing of the Social Democrats broke away to form the Social Democratic Left Party of Sweden. It changed name several times during the twentieth century: the Communist Party of Sweden, the Left Party Communists, and since 1990 simply the Left Party.
After the fall of the Soviet Union the party left its communist roots behind and defined itself as socialist and feminist. During the 1990s and 2000s it periodically supported Social Democratic governments without entering government itself.
The party has never been part of a Swedish government. Its influence has come through budget agreements and through being one of the votes a Social Democratic prime minister needs in order to be elected.
Policies
Summarised from the party's own programme - description, not endorsement.
- Welfare
- Wants to ban profit extraction in tax-funded schools, health care and social care, and run services publicly.
- Economy and taxes
- Higher taxes on high incomes, capital and wealth to fund welfare and reduce inequality.
- Labour market
- Stronger job security, a right to full-time work and a stronger position for trade unions.
- Housing
- Large state investment in rental housing at affordable rents.
- Climate
- Climate transition through public investment in rail, grids and industry rather than charges on households.
- Equality
- Individualised parental leave and measures against the pay gap between women and men.
Election results 2010-2026
| Election | Vote share | Share as a bar | seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 5,6 % | 19 | |
| 2014 | 5,7 % | 21 | |
| 2018 | 8,0 % | 28 | |
| 2022 | 6,8 % | 24 | |
| 2026 | 8,4 % | 30 |
Source: Valmyndigheten · 2026 result verified 2026-10-29
Strongest and weakest in 2026
Strongest constituencies
- Malmö Municipality17,2 % · 2 seats
- Gothenburg Municipality15,1 % · 3 seats
- Stockholm Municipality13,0 % · 4 seats
- Uppsala County9,7 % · 1 seats
- Västerbotten County9,3 % · 1 seats
Weakest constituencies
- Halland County5,2 % · 1 seats
- Dalarna County5,8 % · 1 seats
- Västra Götaland County East5,8 % · 0 seats
- Värmland County5,8 % · 1 seats
- Blekinge County5,9 % · 0 seats
Share of valid votes in each constituency.