Swedish Government Pushes for Summer Parliamentary Sessions Amid Pre-Election Legislative Rush

As Sweden gears up for its September 13, 2026, general elections, the government led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is intensifying legislative activity to clear a backlog of proposals before the parliamentary recess.

The governing coalition, known as the Tidöpartierna, has been holding bi-weekly double cabinet meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays to review key legislative matters. Prime Minister Kristersson has advocated for parliament to remain in session over the summer, an atypical move, to process around 60 pending propositions primarily from the Ministry of Justice. These include significant reforms such as criminal law revisions and the "Lex Lilla hjärtat" law, targeting issues with broad public support.

Typically, the Swedish parliament closes in mid-June and reopens only after the elections in mid-September. However, the Tidöpartierna’s proposal, if accepted, would see parliamentary committees start working on these issues by late July. The goal is to present final recommendations by mid-August followed by votes during the last week of August, expediting reforms within the election year.

The initiative has met resistance from opposition Social Democrats who criticized the timing, arguing the government had sufficient time earlier to submit these proposals and highlighting the strain on parliament members, who are already called in for weekend votes.

Meanwhile, election preparations continue amid shifting political dynamics. The Liberal Party is facing difficulties, with polls indicating it may fall below the parliamentary threshold, while major parties are grappling with policy debates. The government plans to replace the failing F grade in schools with a 1-10 scale by 2028 to improve educational outcomes, particularly for students lacking eligibility for national high school programs. Sverigedemokraterna remains firm in its refusal to recognize a Palestinian state, despite Sweden's prior recognition. Additionally, the government intends to introduce legislation to combat corruption by criminalizing abuses of public office, with punishments including fines or imprisonment.

This flurry of legislative activity, combined with intensified party preparations and policy proposals, underscores the increasingly charged political atmosphere as Sweden approaches the 2026 elections.