Swedish PM Kristersson resigns after left-leaning bloc wins narrow election majority

STOCKHOLM — Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has resigned after preliminary results confirmed that the left-leaning opposition won a narrow parliamentary majority in Sunday's election, setting the stage for difficult talks over the country's next government.

Kristersson sent his resignation letter to the parliamentary speaker on X on Thursday, saying the election result had complicated the formation of a new government.

He said conflicting statements made by parties before election day could hinder every conceivable government formation and coalition. 'Constructive openness from the parties' was now needed, he wrote, adding that talks must be held with all parties to find solutions and create the conditions for a stable and capable government.

The preliminary result from Sunday's election was confirmed on Thursday, after the last postal votes had been counted. The final result is expected this weekend.

Kristersson noted that the parliamentary speaker would now initiate the next steps toward forming a new government. For that process to begin 'immediately,' he wrote, 'I hereby request my dismissal as prime minister.'

Left-leaning bloc wins most seats

According to preliminary results, the four parties backing Magdalena Andersson, a Social Democrat and former prime minister, won a narrow majority of 176 of the 349 seats in Sunday's election. The Social Democrats became the largest party with 28% of the vote.

Kristersson's outgoing government — made up of his center-right Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats and the Liberals — won 173 seats together with the far-right Sweden Democrats.

The result marks a setback for Kristersson's coalition, which governed with the parliamentary support of the Sweden Democrats, while leaving the left-leaning bloc with only a three-seat edge. That narrow margin is likely to give individual lawmakers and smaller parties significant leverage in the coming negotiations.

Sweden's fragmented parliament often requires coalition deals or outside support to govern. With the final count still pending and the speaker set to begin consultations, the country now faces a period of uncertainty as parties test possible alliances and weigh their demands.