Short answer: a government approved by the Riksdag and led by the prime minister. Here is who holds office, how many seats stand behind them and who decides what.
Maktkartan · Published: · Updated:
The government right now
Sweden is governed by a government of Moderate Party, Christian Democrats and Liberals. The prime minister is Ulf Kristersson. The government consists of 24 ministers across 11 ministries.
The governing parties hold 111 of the Riksdag's 349 seats. With Sweden Democrats as a supporting party the base is 173 seats. A majority of its own requires 175 seats.
After the general election on 13 September 2026 the government remains in office as a caretaker until a new government has taken office. A caretaker government does not take new political initiatives.
In the election on 2026-09-13 turnout was 84,9 % and 6 767 429 valid votes were counted. The largest party was Social Democratic Party with 28,0 % of the vote and 99 seats.
Social Democratic Party99 seats
Moderate Party70 seats
Sweden Democrats62 seats
Left Party30 seats
Centre Party25 seats
Green Party22 seats
Christian Democrats22 seats
Liberals19 seats
Who decides what
The Riksdag makes the laws and decides the state budget. The government governs the realm, leads the Government Offices and implements the Riksdag's decisions. Agencies apply the law and decide individual cases independently. The courts adjudicate. The head of state has no political powers.
A government stays in office as long as the Riksdag tolerates it. If 175 members or more vote for a declaration of no confidence in the prime minister, the whole government must resign.
The next election
Ordinary elections to the Riksdag are held on the second Sunday of September every four years. The next ordinary election therefore falls in September 2030. An extraordinary election can be called, but the regular term continues regardless.
