Swedish Party Leaders Debate Social Issues and Election Challenges in First 2026 Nighttime Forum

The first party leader debate of the 2026 Swedish election year was held at night in Parliament for the first time, aiming to boost public engagement. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (Moderate Party) emphasized improvements in Sweden, citing a halving of deadly gang violence and an optimistic economic outlook with rising exports and renewed corporate investment. He highlighted government initiatives to combat violence against women, including the introduction of 'storage sentences' for serious offenders like pedophiles, serial rapists, and murderers, following recent cases in Boden and Rönninge.

The debate saw diverse focuses from party leaders. Center Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist stressed the urgent need for job creation, noting nearly 100,000 unemployed academics. Liberal leader Simona Mohamsson acknowledged the pressure she faces from low poll numbers. Christian Democrats leader Ebba Busch planned to prioritize healthcare issues. Opposition leaders brought international and social concerns to the forefront: Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson called for a strong Swedish stance on international law violations amid conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, while Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar demanded government and EU action on Iran and proposed a billionaire tax to address economic challenges. Sweden Democrats' Jimmie Åkesson criticized the handling of Islamism, linking it to global unrest including protests in Iran.

The debates, moderated by Speaker Andreas Norlén, allowed party leaders to choose their own topics and speak at varying times—Kristersson and Andersson had seven minutes each initially, others five. Political experts anticipate the opposition will continue emphasizing unemployment, integration policy, and social welfare ahead of elections. The tone is expected to remain respectful compared to last autumn's contentious exchanges. Unemployment remains a critical concern, at about 9% for ages 15 to 74, one of the highest rates outside pandemic years.

Overall, the debate showcased the parties’ positioning amid election-year challenges, focusing on social issues like violence, economic recovery, and international affairs, setting the tone for intense political competition in the months ahead.