Prolonged government formation could erode public trust in Sweden

Sweden's interim administration, which cannot call early elections but retains full governmental powers, is navigating a drawn-out coalition negotiation. Jan Teorell, a professor of political science at Stockholms universitet, argues that while the lack of a majority prevents the caretaker cabinet from pushing a full Tidö agenda, the country's EU membership and professional bureaucracy mitigate short-term economic or security risks.

Historical examples from Sweden's 2018 stalemate and Belgium's 500-day crisis showed no major fiscal fallout. The main concern, Teorell says, is a dip in citizens' trust that may persist, especially if an extra election is required. He points to mechanisms like parliamentary committee proposals and a prolongation budget to address urgent matters, and cites past consensus-driven foreign-policy decisions, such as the 1982 transition government during the Hårsfjärden submarine hunt, as evidence that continuity is possible.