2018–2019 Swedish government formation

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2018–2019 Swedish government formation

In the 2018 Swedish general election, no party won a majority, so the parliament was hung. The Social Democrats and Greens (the Red-Greens) were the largest bloc, with the centre-right Alliance close behind. The Sweden Democrats were third. Because there was no clear winner, forming a new government took many weeks of talks and failed attempts.

Key events
- September 2018: Stefan Löfven’s Social Democrats remained the leading party, but the vote of confidence did not guarantee a majority against opposition. The speaker began the process of forming a government.
- October–November 2018: Ulf Kristersson, leader of the Moderate Party, was tasked to try to form a government but failed to build a viable majority. The main obstacle was that the Alliance wanted to exclude cooperation with the Sweden Democrats, while the Red-Greens and others were unwilling to accept a government that depended on SD support.
- November–December 2018: Löfven attempted to form a new government but could not reach a stable agreement. The budget process led to deep political deadlock, and confidence votes were repeatedly held and failed.
- December 2018: After a series of negotiations, Löfven still could not secure a majority. Political leaders prepared for the possibility of a snap election if no government could be formed.
- January 2019: After further talks, a deal was reached in which Löfven would return as prime minister. He formed a Social Democratic–Green government that would be tolerated by the Centre Party, the Liberal Party, and the Left Party (they did not fully back the government but would not block it). This arrangement allowed passage of the 2019 budget and other measures.
- 18 January 2019: Löfven was officially elected prime minister again, heading a Social Democrat–Green government.

Result
- Stefan Löfven remained prime minister with a Social Democrat–Green cabinet.
- The government was tolerated by the Centre Party, the Liberal Party, and the Left, allowing it to govern without a formal majority in the Riksdag.