Sweden’s prime minister announces resignation after defeat in the parliamentary elections

Ulf Kristersson has announced his resignation as prime minister of Sweden after the final vote count for the parliamentary elections held on September 13 confirmed the victory of the center-left bloc. The opposition secured 176 seats in the Riksdag, three more than the right-wing bloc backed by Kristersson, which won 173 seats.

The Swedish Electoral Authority announced that the vote count had been completed, and the result is set to be officially certified. In a letter published on X, Kristersson said he had asked the Speaker of Parliament to release him from office, allowing the process of forming a new government to begin.

The result paves the way for Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson to return as prime minister after four years in opposition. The Social Democratic Party, led by Andersson, won 99 seats, the largest number among the parties participating in the election.

However, the formation of the new government is not automatic. The center-left parties must reach an agreement on the composition of the government and secure the necessary support in parliament. Differences among the opposition parties and the fragile three-seat majority could complicate the negotiations.