Swedish General Election of September 9, 2018

On September 9, 2018, Sweden held a general election that resulted in a hung parliament. This election was notable for its complexity and the subsequent political negotiations that ensued. Here’s a detailed account of the events and their implications:

Context Leading Up to the Election

Before the 2018 election, Sweden was governed by a coalition led by the Social Democrats, in partnership with the Green Party, with the support of the Left Party. The political landscape was marked by debates over immigration, welfare, and economic policies, with the rise of the Sweden Democrats, a right-wing populist party, influencing the political discourse.

Election Results

• Social Democrats: The Social Democrats, led by Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, remained the largest party but experienced a decline in support, securing 28.3% of the vote, down from 31% in the 2014 election. This translated to 100 seats, a loss of 13 seats.

• Moderate Party: The center-right Moderate Party, led by Ulf Kristersson, received 19.8% of the vote, maintaining its position as the second-largest party with 70 seats, a slight decrease from their previous standing.

• Sweden Democrats: The Sweden Democrats, led by Jimmie Åkesson, made significant gains, capturing 17.5% of the vote and increasing their seats to 62, up from 49 in the previous election. Their anti-immigration stance resonated with a segment of the electorate, contributing to their rise.

• Other Parties: The Centre Party, Left Party, Christian Democrats, Liberals, and Green Party also secured seats, contributing to the fragmented nature of the parliament.

Hung Parliament and Negotiations

The election resulted in a hung parliament, with no single party or coalition able to secure a majority. The Social Democrats and their allies, along with the center-right Alliance (comprising the Moderate Party, Centre Party, Liberals, and Christian Democrats), were unable to form a government without either cooperating with each other or involving the Sweden Democrats, which both blocs were reluctant to do due to ideological differences.

Prolonged Negotiations

The election led to a protracted period of negotiations, lasting over four months. The main challenges were:

• Coalition Building: Both the left-leaning and center-right blocs sought to form a stable government without relying on the Sweden Democrats.

• Policy Compromises: Parties had to negotiate policy compromises, particularly on contentious issues like immigration and welfare reforms.

Outcome

After extensive negotiations, a deal was reached in January 2019. Stefan Löfven was re-elected as Prime Minister, leading a minority government formed by the Social Democrats and the Green Party, with support from the Centre Party, Liberals, and the Left Party. This arrangement was known as the “January Agreement,” which included policy concessions to secure the necessary parliamentary support.

Historical Significance

The 2018 Swedish general election highlighted the increasing fragmentation of the political landscape in Sweden and the challenges of forming stable governments in a multiparty system. It underscored the influence of populist parties in European politics and the complexities of coalition governance in addressing diverse voter concerns.

This election set the stage for ongoing debates about immigration, integration, and economic policy in Sweden, reflecting broader trends across Europe.