Magdalena Andersson says Sweden is ready to take a more active role in Europe after a narrow election victory for the centre-left opposition ended four years of right-wing rule.
The Social Democratic leader is seeking to form a new government after the September 13 election, in which the centre-left bloc secured 176 of the Riksdag’s 349 seats, compared with 173 for the right-wing bloc. Sweden’s Election Authority formally confirmed the result on September 19.
Andersson, who previously served as Sweden’s first female prime minister in 2021, has been tasked by parliament’s speaker with exploring the possibility of forming a government. The process is expected to involve negotiations with the Left Party, Centre Party and Greens.
In an interview with POLITICO conducted on election day, Andersson outlined a foreign-policy vision centred on strengthening Europe at a time of war in Ukraine, an unpredictable United States and growing Chinese influence.
“We need a strong European Union in the world we live in today,” she said, arguing that Europe needs greater capacity to act collectively.
Pushing for a stronger EU
One of Andersson’s priorities is reforming the EU’s decision-making process, particularly on foreign policy.
She has argued that the requirement for unanimity among the 27 member states can prevent the bloc from responding effectively to international crises. Andersson wants qualified-majority voting to replace unanimity in foreign-policy decisions.
The issue became particularly visible during discussions over sanctions against Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when Hungary repeatedly raised objections to measures requiring unanimous approval.
Andersson also supports using frozen Russian assets to help finance Ukraine’s war effort. Asked about the billions of euros in Russian assets immobilised in a Brussels-based depository, she said they should be taken and used.
She argued that this would be preferable for Sweden to increasing the EU’s long-term budget and said legal concerns surrounding the assets should be resolved.
Sweden itself has undergone a major shift in its security policy since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. After decades of military non-alignment, the country joined NATO in 2024. Andersson rejected criticism from outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson that her political bloc could be an unreliable NATO partner, pointing to commitments from the Left Party and Greens to support Sweden’s role in the alliance.
Trade as part of European security
Andersson also wants the EU to strengthen its economic and diplomatic relationships beyond the bloc.
Sweden has traditionally been a strong advocate of free trade, but the tariff policies pursued by US President Donald Trump have changed the way Stockholm views the relationship between trade and security.
Andersson pointed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as an example of how a middle power can defend its interests while maintaining close ties with Washington.
She said Sweden needs a strong relationship with the United States, particularly because of the importance of American trade and investment to Swedish companies, but added that Europe should not be “naive”.
Andersson also supports closer cooperation between the EU and countries including Canada, Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom.
“We spend a lot of time trying to solve our internal problems,” she said. “But for the European Union to be strong in the world, I think we have to also work more outside.”
She said her government would seek a more active role for Sweden on the global stage.
“Sweden is back,” she said.
A message to Britain
Andersson is also calling for closer relations with the UK, despite Britain’s departure from the EU.
She said Sweden had lost one of its closest EU allies when Britain left the bloc and expressed support for closer European-British cooperation.
Asked whether she would like Britain to rejoin the EU, her answer was immediate: “Yes. Please. Tomorrow.”
She acknowledged, however, that the decision ultimately belongs to British voters.
Andersson also said a future government would review the situation of British citizens who have lived in Sweden for decades but have faced difficulties securing their right to remain following changes to immigration rules.
The far right and Andersson’s unfinished business
The election also marked a shift in the role of the Sweden Democrats, who had supported Kristersson’s government from outside and were offered the possibility of formal ministerial positions during the campaign.
The Sweden Democrats ultimately lost seats and finished with 62, down from their previous representation, while the Social Democrats remained the largest party with 99 seats.
Andersson has ruled out cooperation with the Sweden Democrats and defended the idea of a political “firewall” separating mainstream parties from the far right.
She argued that political parties have the right to determine which parties they will cooperate with, while voters ultimately decide whether to support them.
Her return to the centre of Swedish politics comes with a sense of unfinished business. Andersson became prime minister in November 2021 but lost power after the 2022 election, leaving Kristersson to lead a government supported by the Sweden Democrats.
Now, after another closely fought election, Andersson is attempting to build a government that can navigate both Sweden’s domestic divisions and a rapidly changing international environment.
The final election result gives the centre-left bloc a three-seat majority, but the composition and durability of the next government still depend on negotiations between parties with significant policy differences.
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