Key facts
- Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, leader of the Center Party, is in a key position to influence the formation of Sweden's next government.
- The Center Party is projected to win 25 seats in Sweden's 349-member parliament.
- Thand Ringqvist has refused to work with the far-right Sweden Democrats and the Left Party.
- Incumbent Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is seeking to retain his position, while opposition leader Magdalena Andersson also aims to form a government.
- Thand Ringqvist was first elected in 2022 and became party leader in November of the previous year.
Sweden's general election has resulted in a deadlock, with the left and right blocs in parliament expected to be almost equally divided. This outcome places Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, the leader of the small Center Party, in a position of significant influence over the formation of the next government. The Center Party is projected to secure 25 seats, making its support crucial for either the center-right incumbent Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson or the center-left opposition leader Magdalena Andersson to cobble together a majority coalition.
Thand Ringqvist has stated her party is ready to form a government but emphasized that "the fringes should not dominate a government." This stance means she has ruled out cooperation with the far-right Sweden Democrats, whom Kristersson would need for a majority, and also with the Left Party, which Andersson relies on. The Left Party has indicated it would demand ministerial positions in exchange for its support, a condition Thand Ringqvist finds unacceptable.
Unlike Kristersson, who has a long tenure as leader of the Moderate Party, or Andersson, who previously served as prime minister, Thand Ringqvist is a relative newcomer to national politics. She was first elected to parliament in 2022 and has led her party only since November of the previous year. As votes are still being counted, the final seat allocation is not yet known, with a parliamentary vote on the prime minister expected no earlier than September 29. The complex political landscape and the various "red lines" among the eight parties mean that compromise will be essential if Sweden is to form a government.