Common questions and answers about the elections
Who can vote?
Everyone who has turned 18 by election day at the latest, is a Swedish citizen and who is or has been registered as a resident in Sweden can vote in the elections to the Riksdag.
Swedish citizens can vote in and stand for elections to the Riksdag
Which parties can I vote for?
You can vote for any registered party that has notified the Election Authority that it wishes to participate in the elections to the Riksdag.
The Election Authority has a list of all these parties: List of parties (In Swedish)
When will the election results be ready?
A first count of the ballot papers is taken on election day after the polling stations close. The result is presented in the media during the evening and night after the elections.
The final results of the elections to the Riksdag are announced by the Election Authority about one week after election day.
Can an election result be appealed and what does this involve?
Yes, anyone who has had the right to vote in elections to the Riksdag or a party that has participated in the elections can lodge an appeal. The appeal can be lodged at the earliest the day after election day and no later than ten days after the election result has been confirmed.
Which parties will enter the Riksdag?
The general rule is that a party needs to receive at least four per cent of the votes in order to enter the Riksdag.
An exception is made if a party obtains at least 12 per cent of the votes in a single constituency. The party is then allocated seats in that particular constituency.
What happens if a party has to leave the Riksdag?
If a party that is currently represented in the Riksdag fails to obtain at least four per cent of the votes, the party will lose its seats in the Riksdag. An exception from the four-per-cent threshold is made if a party obtains at least 12 per cent of the votes in a constituency. The party is then allocated seats in that particular constituency.
If a party loses its seats in the Riksdag, it also loses its places in the committees and the party group in the Riksdag is dissolved. The party will no longer have the same right to economics support – party funding – as it did before.
How is the Speaker of the Riksdag elected?
The parties in the Riksdag nominate their candidates to the post of Speaker, after which the Speaker and Deputy Speakers are elected by the Riksdag. The Speaker is elected for one electoral period at a time. There are no written rules about what party the Speaker should be elected from or how many electoral periods the same person may serve as Speaker. The election of the Speakers takes place after the roll-call, when the new Riksdag has met for the first time.
When will the new Riksdag start its work?
The new Riksdag will hold its first meeting on Monday 28 September. This day marks the start of the working year for the new Riksdag – the 2026/27 Riksdag session.
Who decides who becomes the new Prime Minister?
It is the Riksdag that decides who becomes the Prime Minister.
The Speaker presents a proposal for Prime Minister to the Riksdag and states at the same time which parties will make up the Government. The Riksdag then takes a decision by holding a vote on the proposal. If more than half of the members of the Riksdag, that is at least 175 members, vote against the proposal, it is rejected. Otherwise it is approved.
When can a vote on the Prime Minister be held at the earliest?
When the Speaker has presented a proposal for Prime Minister, the members of the Riksdag must vote on the proposal within four days.
Who appoints the government ministers?
It is the Prime Minister who decides which ministers will be included in the government.