Swedish public broadcaster SVT has announced it will relocate the final party leader debate for the 2026 Riksdag election from its traditional Stockholm location to Gävle. According to SVT Gävleborg, the decision reflects a strategic shift to highlight that elections are decided across Sweden, not just in the capital.
Michael Kucera, SVT's program chief, stated that the broadcaster wants to reflect that the 2026 election will be determined through conversations, debates, and town meetings throughout the country. "Valet 2026 avgörs inte i Stockholm – utan i samtal, debatter och torgmöten över hela landet. Det vill vi spegla genom att göra några av valrörelsens viktigaste program på en rad olika orter i Sverige," Kucera said.
Valet 2026 avgörs inte i Stockholm – utan i samtal, debatter och torgmöten över hela landet. Det vill vi spegla genom att göra några av valrörelsens viktigaste program på en rad olika orter i Sverige
Two key debates are reportedly scheduled to take place in Gävle on September 13, 2026. The first will feature a debate between the prime minister and the opposition's prime ministerial candidate, followed by the final debate involving all party leaders. This marks a departure from the usual practice of holding the final debate at SVT's Stockholm headquarters.
The 2026 Riksdag election will determine Sweden's government for the next four years, with September 13 set as the decisive date.