Swedish PM Kristersson to resign after losing election

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 15:30Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will resign after losing the country's parliamentary election, he said on Thursday, following the announcement of a final vote count.Center-left opposition parties won 176 seats in Sunday's vote for parliament while Kristersson's ruling right-wing bloc secured 173 seats, the election authority said earlier as the counting of ballots ended."Now it is the speaker who will lead the next stage of the way to a new government. I am herewith requesting that I be relieved of the office of prime minister to allow that work to start immediately," Kristersson said in a letter posted on X/Twitter.Election sets stage for change in governmentThe election result sets the stage for a change of government, with Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson expected to make a comeback as prime minister after four years in opposition.All votes for the 349-seat parliament have now been counted, although the result remains subject to formal certification in the coming days.For the center-left, victory may only be the first step in a long process to form a government.Follow us on Google