Government formation in Sweden: Riksdag to vote on Thand Ringqvist as prime minister on Tuesday

Sweden’s parliament, the Riksdag, will vote again on a new head of government on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at 13:00. Speaker Andreas Norlén has nominated Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist as prime minister of a centrist government made up of the Centre Party, Social Democrats, Christian Democrats, Greens and Liberals. She is considered unlikely to win sufficient support – according to SVT, Norlén himself expects her to be voted down. It will be the second prime ministerial vote since the election in September.

An unusual nomination

Norlén announced his decision on Thursday 29 October. Three days earlier, Thand Ringqvist had delivered her exploratory report to him, concluding that there is no majority in the Riksdag for a government of the political centre. She handed back the exploratory mandate without having sought the premiership herself. Even so, she has agreed to be put forward as a candidate. According to the Riksdag, the proposal is tabled in the chamber on Friday 30 October and Monday 2 November before Tuesday’s vote.

The Speaker argues that votes increase the pressure on all the parties involved and create movement. As an example, he points to the government formation after the 2018 election, when Stefan Löfven was only approved at the third attempt in January 2019.

Criticism from the left, approval from the right

The decision has drawn mixed reactions. Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson, who was herself voted down by the Riksdag just over two weeks ago, called it “remarkable” to hold a vote on a person who had not explored the post. In her view, Ulf Kristersson of the Moderates should have been allowed to explore a centre-right option. Kristersson, who currently leads the caretaker government, considers the vote a natural step and blames Andersson for the failure of the centrist option.

The Christian Democrats and Liberals, who would formally be part of the proposed government, are expected to vote no, according to media reports. Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch said the conditions for such a government do not exist. The Liberals have not agreed to be part of a centrist alternative.

How the vote works – and what comes next

In Sweden, a candidate does not need an active majority. A nomination is only rejected if more than half of the Riksdag’s 349 members – at least 175 – vote against it. The Speaker has four attempts in total. If all four fail, a snap election must be held within three months, with the date set by the Speaker in consultation with the Election Authority.

If Thand Ringqvist is rejected, Ulf Kristersson will receive the exploratory mandate from 3 to 10 November. Norlén has not yet decided whether a vote on Kristersson would follow immediately. Before a third vote, he intends to check whether the red-green side has made progress. His aim is to avoid a fourth and final vote. Norlén warned that a snap election is drawing nearer.

What this means for travellers and people in Sweden

For visitors, the deadlock changes nothing: entry rules, traffic regulations and public services remain the same, and authorities, healthcare and transport operators continue to work as normal. Until a new government is approved, Sweden is run by a caretaker government which, under the Riksdag’s rules, mainly handles routine and urgent matters and by convention avoids new political initiatives.

The situation is more noticeable for people living in Sweden or planning to move there. Election pledges, for example on taxes and charges, remain on hold. The caretaker government is preparing a 2027 transition budget without new policy. Anyone whose plans depend on future reforms should assume current rules apply for now and seek binding information from the relevant authorities, such as the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).

If none of the four nominations succeeds, Sweden faces a snap election within three months. Anyone entitled to vote in Sweden should therefore follow developments closely after 10 November.

Sources

• Sveriges riksdag – Talmannen lägger fram Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist (C) som förslag till statsminister (29 October 2026)
• Sveriges riksdag – Så bildas regeringen
• SVT Nyheter – Talmannens besked: Statsministeromröstning om Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist (C) (29 October 2026)
• The Local Sweden – Today in Sweden: A roundup of the latest news on Friday (30 October 2026)