Swedish Prime Minister resigns after centre-left wins narrow majority

Swedish Prime Minister resigns after centre-left wins narrow majority

Politics

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson resigned on 17 September after his right-wing bloc fell short in the parliamentary election, prompting negotiations to form a new government led by the centre-left opposition, Reuters reported. The election held on 10 September saw the centre-left opposition bloc holding a narrow lead in pre-election polls, according to Reuters, while the governing alliance had pledged cabinet posts for the Sweden Democrats. Early counts showed the race virtually tied, with the right-wing bloc projected at 174 seats and the left at 175, as reported by politico.

eu. Subsequent counts confirmed the left bloc's three-seat advantage, and CBS News noted that the Sweden Democrats fell below 18%, leaving the left-wing opposition with a slim majority and setting the stage for coalition talks. These developments followed weeks of campaigning in which the Sweden Democrats, a far-right party, were positioned for possible ministerial roles, a scenario highlighted by the BBC and The Guardian during the vote.

Actors

centre-left opposition bloc incumbent right-wing government Magdalena Andersson Ulf Kristersson Ipsos Demoskop Indikator Swedish Radio Aftonbladet Dagens Nyheter Nicholas Aylott

Locations

Sweden Stockholm, Sweden

Fact Check

How these metrics work
Verdict: Partially confirmed Confidence: 56% Claims: 1
At a glance

The claim that Ulf Kristersson resigned after the centre-left bloc won a narrow majority in Sweden's parliamentary election is partially confirmed, with the main event verified but some details, such as the exact date, remaining unconfirmed.

Sign in or subscribe to unlock the full breakdown: claims, sources, and validations.

Sign up Sign in

This section contains an automated verification of claims against external sources and may contain inaccuracies.

Articles

September 17, 2026
2 total
Swedish prime minister resigns after opposition coalition wins parliamentary majority
Swedish prime minister resigns after opposition coalition wins parliamentary majority

Reuters • 17 Sep 15:19

Ulf Kristersson submitted his resignation after the centre-left bloc secured a narrow majority in Sweden's parliamentary election, prompting negotiations for a new government.

Credibility 73% Manip. 8% Center
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson Resigns Following Election Defeat
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson Resigns Following Election Defeat

BBC • 17 Sep 12:04

Ulf Kristersson announced his resignation after his right-wing bloc fell short in Sunday's election, prompting talks to form a new government led by the opposition.

Credibility 78% Manip. 7% Center
September 16, 2026
1 total
Swedish left bloc leads as Andersandson poised to become prime minister
Swedish left bloc leads as Andersandson poised to become prime minister

politico.eu • 16 Sep 22:05

With 99.9% of votes counted, Magdalena Andersson's four-party left coalition holds a narrow three-seat advantage over Ulf Kristersson's right-wing alliance, positioning her to form the next government.

Credibility 73% Manip. 10% Center
September 14, 2026
2 total
Sweden's election leaves left bloc with narrow lead as far-right loses ground
Sweden's election leaves left bloc with narrow lead as far-right loses ground

CBS News • 14 Sep 10:52

Swedish vote counts show the left-wing opposition holding a slim majority while the Sweden Democrats fall below 18%, prompting complex coalition talks that could extend for weeks.

Credibility 72% Manip. 10% Center
Swedish election results show left bloc holding narrow three-seat lead
Swedish election results show left bloc holding narrow three-seat lead

politico.eu • 14 Sep 10:37

With 95% of votes counted, the centre-left opposition bloc led by Magdalena Andersson is ahead of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing alliance by three seats, though final results are expected later this week.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
September 13, 2026
6 total
Swedish election too close to call as right-wing edge narrows
Swedish election too close to call as right-wing edge narrows

politico.eu • 13 Sep 21:16

Early results show Sweden's parliamentary race virtually tied, with the right-wing bloc projected to win 174 seats against the left's 175, leaving the final outcome uncertain.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
Swedish exit polls show left bloc poised to win, sidelining far-right alliance
Swedish exit polls show left bloc poised to win, sidelining far-right alliance

politico.eu • 13 Sep 18:28

Exit polls for Sweden's parliamentary election indicate the centre-left coalition led by Magdalena Andersson could secure a majority, while the right-wing bloc that includes the Sweden Democrats trails.

Credibility 73% Manip. 38% Center
Swedish Election underway as far-right Sweden Democrats poised for possible ministerial roles
Swedish Election underway as far-right Sweden Democrats poised for possible ministerial roles

The Guardian • 13 Sep 11:47

Swedish voters are casting ballots in a tightly contested election that could bring the Sweden Democrats into government for the first time, with the right-leaning coalition promising them key ministries if it wins.

Credibility 73% Manip. 27% Center
Swedish voters head to polls as immigration, crime and economy dominate election
Swedish voters head to polls as immigration, crime and economy dominate election

Fox News • 13 Sep 10:00

Swedes are voting in a tightly contested parliamentary election, with the Social Democrats ahead of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s centre-right bloc amid concerns over immigration, gun violence and economic pressures.

Credibility 72% Manip. 46% Right
Swedish Election Could Bring Far-Right Sweden Democrats Into Government for First Time
Swedish Election Could Bring Far-Right Sweden Democrats Into Government for First Time

dw.com • 13 Sep 03:45

Sweden's Sunday election pits the incumbent centre-right coalition, which includes the Sweden Democrats, against a centre-left opposition led by former prime minister Magdalena Andersson, with polls showing a tightening race.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
Swedish voters decide between centre-left and right-wing coalition with far-right participation
Swedish voters decide between centre-left and right-wing coalition with far-right participation

Reuters • 13 Sep 00:04

Sweden's parliamentary election sees the centre-left opposition holding a narrow lead over the ruling right-wing bloc, which has pledged to include the Sweden Democrats in government if it wins.

Credibility 78% Manip. 32% Center
September 12, 2026
1 total
Swedish election neck-and-neck as left bloc holds narrow lead
Swedish election neck-and-neck as left bloc holds narrow lead

BBC • 12 Sep 00:56

Polls show the left-wing bloc ahead by a few points ahead of the right-wing coalition, while Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has pledged cabinet posts for the Sweden Democrats if his government continues.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
September 11, 2026
2 total
Swedish centre-left bloc leads narrow margin in pre-election polls
Swedish centre-left bloc leads narrow margin in pre-election polls

Reuters • 11 Sep 15:48

Three recent polls show Sweden's centre-left opposition coalition holding a slight edge over the governing alliance ahead of the September 11 parliamentary vote.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
Swedish voters decide if right-wing populists join government for first time
Swedish voters decide if right-wing populists join government for first time

CBS News • 11 Sep 14:55

Sweden's September 10 election will determine whether the Sweden Democrats, a party with a controversial past, will become part of a governing coalition, amid shifting public attitudes on immigration and crime.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center

Related events