Sweden Election 2026 · Explainer
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Social Democrats

S

Socialdemokraterna

Leader
Magdalena Andersson
Seats
107 / 349
Bloc
Opposition (centre-left)
Placement
Centre-left, social democratic

Introduction

The Social Democrats are Sweden's largest party and have governed for most of the post-war era. They sit in opposition in the current parliament after the 2022 election and lead the centre-left bloc.

Positions

  1. Economy

    Support a strong welfare state funded by progressive taxation, active labour market policy, and public investment in housing and infrastructure.

    Source: Socialdemokraterna – Vår politik: Ekonomi

  2. Immigration

    Back a restrictive line on asylum numbers introduced in 2015 and tightened during their 2014–2022 government, paired with stronger integration requirements such as Swedish language and work.

    Source: Socialdemokraterna – Migration och integration

  3. Crime

    Favour more police, tougher sentences for gang-related crimes, and broader powers for law enforcement, alongside prevention work in disadvantaged areas.

    Source: Socialdemokraterna – Trygghet

  4. Climate & Energy

    Aim for net-zero emissions by 2045, expand wind and solar power, and keep existing nuclear reactors running; cautious on building large new nuclear plants without public financing guarantees.

    Source: Socialdemokraterna – Klimat och energi

  5. Healthcare

    Prioritise publicly funded and publicly run healthcare, shorter waiting times, and limits on profit extraction from tax-funded welfare services.

    Source: Socialdemokraterna – Sjukvård

  6. Defense & NATO

    Support Sweden's NATO membership (joined March 2024) and continued increases in defence spending to meet alliance commitments.

    Source: Socialdemokraterna – Försvar och säkerhet

  7. EU

    Pro-EU membership; oppose adopting the euro and generally resist transfers of further competence from member states to EU institutions.

    Source: Socialdemokraterna – EU

Record over the last four years

  • 2022

    Led the government under PM Magdalena Andersson; lost a parliamentary majority to the right-wing bloc in the September election and moved into opposition.

    Source: Valmyndigheten – 2022 election results

  • 2022–2024

    Supported Sweden's NATO application from opposition; the country formally joined the alliance in March 2024.

    Source: NATO – Sweden accession

  • 2023–2025

    Continued in opposition, focusing parliamentary work on welfare, gang crime, and energy policy.

Leading candidates

  • Magdalena Andersson

    Party leader and PM candidate

  • Mikael Damberg

    Group leader in parliament

  • Morgan Johansson

    Senior MP, justice and migration

Positions are summarised from each party's official materials and public statements. See how we put this together.