Government formation in Sweden: Centre Party leader Thand Ringqvist hands back mandate – no majority for a centrist government

The attempt to form a government of the political centre in Sweden has failed. Centre Party (C) leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist handed her exploratory mandate back to Riksdag Speaker Andreas Norlén on Monday, 26 October 2026. “There is no majority for a centrist government,” she told a press conference after meeting Norlén. It is now up to the Speaker to decide how the process continues – no date has been set for a new vote on a prime minister.

A week of talks without a breakthrough

On 19 October, Norlén tasked Thand Ringqvist with exploring whether a government of the political centre could be tolerated by the Riksdag. Before that, Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson had been rejected as prime minister in a Riksdag vote in mid-October. Over the past week, Thand Ringqvist met the leaders of all the parties in the Riksdag. Her model was a cross-bloc government led by Magdalena Andersson (S), with the Centre Party, the Greens, the Liberals and the Christian Democrats taking part.

Her conclusion was mixed: according to her, there is a majority in the Riksdag for centrist policies, but not for a centrist government. The Centre Party had taken several initiatives, she said, and it was now up to other parties to consider what they could contribute.

Why the centrist option failed

The position of two centre-right parties proved decisive. Both Liberal leader Simona Mohamsson and Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch stood by Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson as their candidate for prime minister. As early as 23 October, Busch said a centrist government would not be made possible by the Christian Democrats. At the same time, she urged the Social Democrats to let Kristersson become head of government in order to avoid a snap election.

There were reservations within the potential centrist camp too: Christian Democrat politician Johan Ingerö said it would be very difficult to bring the KD and the Greens to the same negotiating table, particularly because of energy policy.

What could happen next

The ball is back in the Speaker’s court. Norlén can hand exploratory talks to another person or put a candidate directly to a vote. Social Democrat Mikael Damberg, who chairs the Riksdag’s Finance Committee, recently suggested that Norlén may now want to test Ulf Kristersson’s chances. Which route Norlén will take was initially unclear.

The budget adds time pressure: the state budget for next year must be presented by 12 November. Damberg described it as “almost impossible” to put together a joint red-green budget by then. If there is no new government by that deadline, the caretaker government will present a transitional budget.

What this means for travellers and people in Sweden

Travellers: For visitors, the unresolved government question currently has no known immediate consequences. The caretaker government continues to run day-to-day affairs and deals mainly with urgent matters; entry and traffic rules remain unchanged.

Drivers: An extension of the fuel tax cut is not currently in sight. The temporary reduction in carbon tax on petrol and diesel expires after 30 November. The Finance Committee rejected a Sweden Democrat proposal to extend it on 13 October. Without a new decision, petrol and diesel are expected to become around 3 to 4 kronor per litre more expensive from 1 December, depending on market conditions. Anyone planning a winter road trip through Sweden should factor this into their travel budget.

People in Sweden and those planning to move: Major policy reforms are unlikely until a new government is formed. Existing rules – for example on taxes, residence and benefits – continue to apply. Anyone planning a move should check the current position with the relevant authorities, such as the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) or the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), rather than relying on announced plans that have not yet been adopted.

For background on the Riksdag, the parties and how governments are formed, see our overview of Sweden’s political system. You can read how Thand Ringqvist received her mandate in our report from 19 October.

Sources

• Corren (TT) – C-ledaren: Ingen majoritet för mittenregering (26 October 2026)
• Eskilstuna-Kuriren (TT) – C-ledaren ger upp sonderingsuppdraget (26 October 2026)
• SVT Nyheter – Senaste nytt om valet 2026 (continuously updated, as of 25 October 2026)
• Vi Bilägare – Drivmedelsskatt: Nej till förlängd rabatt på bensin och diesel (13 October 2026)