Government formation in Sweden: Sweden Democrats drop cabinet demand, Centre Party wants full package – Kristersson gets more time

Sweden’s deadlocked government formation has started to move. On Friday 6 November 2026, two parties shifted their positions significantly. The Sweden Democrats (SD) dropped their demand for cabinet posts, and the Centre Party asked the Moderates and the Social Democrats to present a complete government programme by 13 November. Riksdag Speaker Andreas Norlén has therefore extended Moderate leader Ulf Kristersson’s exploratory mandate by a few days.

Sweden Democrats ready to tolerate Kristersson

SD leader Jimmie Åkesson announced the change of course at a press conference in his home town of Sölvesborg. Until now the party had said it would either sit in government itself or vote with the left-wing bloc and go into opposition. SD is now offering to tolerate a four-party centre-right government of the Moderates, Christian Democrats, Liberals and Centre Party under Kristersson, should the Centre Party’s red lines block any other solution.

According to SVT, SD would abstain in the prime ministerial vote and then go into full opposition. Åkesson stressed that his party is open to negotiation but could bring the government down at any time. He called such a government the “least bad” option. Kristersson welcomed the offer as responsible.

Centre Party demands a “complete package” from both sides

On the same day, Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist said her party could govern with any party except the “fringe parties”. Based on the party’s existing red lines, this refers to the Sweden Democrats and the Left Party. The Centre Party also now intends to negotiate in parallel with the Social Democrats and the Moderates.

Thand Ringqvist wants Kristersson and Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson to present a “complete package” by Friday 13 November: a coherent programme with reforms, funding and partners. According to the newspaper Göteborgs-Posten, the Centre Party’s priorities include jobs, growth, climate, rural areas, welfare and security. Kristersson is to explain how he would stop SD from dictating terms, while Andersson is to show how a government could work without the Left Party.

Kristersson said the task was now “a little less impossible”. Andersson replied, according to Göteborgs-Posten, that the parliamentary situation was unchanged and that a Kristersson government would be “completely dependent on SD”. She wants to continue talks with the Centre Party.

Background: two of four attempts have failed

Since the election on 13 September, two votes on a prime minister have failed: Andersson on 15 October and Thand Ringqvist on 3 November, as we reported previously. A candidate is rejected if at least 175 of the 349 MPs vote against. After four failed attempts, a snap election must be held.

Kristersson was originally due to report to Norlén on 10 November. According to the Riksdag, the new date will be announced later. Norlén stressed that holding an exploratory mandate does not prevent other parties from talking to each other.

What this means for travellers and people in Sweden

For holidaymakers and cross-border commuters, the announcements change nothing. All existing laws and rules continue to apply. The caretaker government under Kristersson stays in office until a new government is formed and deals mainly with ongoing matters.

For people living in Sweden or planning a move, the situation remains uncertain. Whether election pledges, for example on taxes, are implemented depends on which government is formed. For 2027, a transition budget without new policy applies for now. Anyone making financial decisions should work on the basis of current law and check with authorities such as Skatteverket.

The key date is 13 November, when Kristersson and Andersson are due to respond to the Centre Party. Eligible voters should follow developments: each further failed vote brings a snap election closer, although no date has been set.

Sources

• Sveriges riksdag – Talmannen förlänger Ulf Kristerssons sonderingsuppdrag (06.11.2026)
• SVT Nyheter – Kristersson får förlängd sondering (06.11.2026)
• SVT Nyheter – Jimmie Åkesson (SD) släpper kravet på att sitta i regering (06.11.2026)
• Göteborgs-Posten – Centerpartiet kräver ”totalpaket” av M och S (06.11.2026)