Survey Reveals Declining Trust in Swedish Electoral System After 2026 Election

A recent survey conducted by Indikator Opinion for Ekot reveals a notable decline in public trust in Sweden's electoral system following the 2026 election. Currently, 69% of Swedes express confidence in the electoral process, down from 77% reported in 2025 by the SOM Institute. Political science professor Henrik Ekengren Oscarsson from the University of Gothenburg attributes this drop largely to incidents in the municipality of Borlänge, where irregularities have dented voter confidence. Additionally, issues with early voting during the election period further contributed to concerns over election integrity.

This decline in trust comes amid ongoing political turbulence since the September 13 election, which resulted in a narrow mandate distribution—176 seats for the red-green bloc versus 173 for the Tidö parties. The government formation process has been fraught, with two Prime Minister candidates, including Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist and Magdalena Andersson, being voted down by the Riksdag. Currently, Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson has until November 10 to report back after receiving the task to form a government. The challenges in forming a stable government and election irregularities appear to be deeply intertwined with the public's wavering confidence in Sweden's democratic processes.

Professor Ekengren Oscarsson highlights that the Borlänge case in particular has been a key factor influencing voter perception, alongside logistical complications during early voting. This situation underscores the delicate state of trust in Swedish democracy as political actors scramble to establish a government before a potential snap election is triggered after four unsuccessful votes for Prime Minister.