Swedish Municipalities Set to Reduce Number of Local Politicians After 2026 Elections

Several Swedish municipalities are planning to reduce their number of local politicians following the upcoming 2026 elections, aiming for economic savings and increased efficiency in local governance. In Tierp, the municipal council has voted to decrease its members from 49 to 41. This change is set to take effect after the election and is driven primarily by economic considerations, with the population size determining the minimum number of council members, although there is no upper limit established.

Similarly, Bromölla’s fullmäktige will shrink its number of representatives from 41 to 31. This decision, reached by a narrow one-vote margin, reflects an ongoing effort to create a smaller, more effective political organization. Filip Persson of the Sweden Democrats commented that the goal is to have a streamlined political body. Discussions about reducing the number of council members in Bromölla have been recurrent in previous election cycles, underscoring a long-term intention to restructure political representation.

These moves represent a trend among Swedish municipalities to optimize political representation, balancing democratic needs with operational efficiencies and economic concerns. They highlight local governments’ responsiveness to calls for leaner administration and more focused policymaking after the next electoral cycle.