Government formation in Sweden: Riksdag rejects Thand Ringqvist – Kristersson has until 10 November

Sweden’s Riksdag on Tuesday 3 November 2026 rejected Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist as prime minister. A total of 324 members voted against, while only the 25 members of her own party voted in favour. This means the second of a maximum of four attempts since the election on 13 September has failed. The exploratory mandate now passes to Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson, who has until 10 November.

The intended partners also voted no

The vote concerned a government of the Centre Party, Social Democrats, Christian Democrats, Greens and Liberals. According to the Riksdag, however, all other parliamentary groups voted against as a bloc: Social Democrats (99), Moderates (70), Sweden Democrats (62), Left Party (30), Christian Democrats (22), Greens (22) and Liberals (19). There were no abstentions or absences. A proposal is rejected as soon as at least 175 of the 349 members vote against it.

The result came as no surprise. Thand Ringqvist had already established before the vote that there was no majority for such a government. On 15 October, Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson had already failed in the first vote.

Kristersson: “Very difficult, but perhaps not entirely impossible”

Kristersson, who leads the caretaker government of the Moderates, Christian Democrats and Liberals, must now explore whether he can form a government the Riksdag would tolerate. The starting point is difficult: the four Tidö parties hold 173 seats, the opposition 176. According to the newspaper Bulletin, Kristersson called the task “very difficult, but perhaps not entirely impossible”. Talks are to be held discreetly during the first week, and the Moderates say they are also prepared for a new election.

The deadlock has two main causes. The Centre Party will not back a government that includes or depends on the Sweden Democrats. At the same time, the Left Party is demanding a seat in a red-green government, which the Centre Party opposes. Thand Ringqvist names Andersson as her party’s candidate, provided she can govern without the Left Party.

What happens after 10 November

After Kristersson reports back, Speaker Andreas Norlén can put him to a vote or allow the exploratory talks to continue. In principle, an exploratory mandate should be followed by a vote, but Norlén wants to be cautious before a third attempt. According to the TT news agency, he could give Andersson the mandate again without first holding a vote on Kristersson if there is movement in the red-green camp.

If all four proposals fail, a new election must be held within three months. The Speaker sets the date together with Sweden’s Election Authority. Until a new government takes office, Kristersson remains in charge as caretaker prime minister.

What this means for travellers and people in Sweden

The failed vote changes none of the rules currently in force, so tourists and cross-border commuters need not prepare for new regulations as a result. According to the Riksdag, a caretaker government deals mainly with ongoing and urgent matters and does not usually take new political initiatives.

For people living in Sweden or considering a move there, this means that political announcements from the election campaign are not a sound basis for planning for now. A transition budget is in place for 2027, under which election pledges will have to wait. Anyone making financial or legal decisions should assume current law applies and check with the relevant authority, such as the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) or the Migration Agency (Migrationsverket).

The next key date is 10 November. Eligible voters should follow developments after that: each further failed vote brings a new election closer, although no date has been set at present.

Sources

• Sveriges riksdag – Nej till Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist (C) som statsminister (3 November 2026)
• Sveriges riksdag – Så bildas regeringen
• Sweden Herald/TT – 51 days after Sweden’s election, here’s what happens next in the government formation process (3 November 2026)
• Bulletin – Kristersson får nästa chans att bilda regering (3 November 2026)