SVT sets topics for final 2026 election debate

Economy, schools, climate, crime, integration and healthcare will be the main topics in SVT’s final debate with all eight party leaders ahead of Sweden’s 2026 parliamentary election.

“We have, of course, chosen to include some of the issues that matter most to voters, but also issues where we know the parties differ,” said Elisabeth Marmorstein, who will host the programme with Fouad Youcefi, according to SVT.

The debate will be broadcast on Friday at 8pm, 48 hours before polling stations close.

“We know that those who wait the longest to vote are the people who are uncertain about which party to choose. This is the last chance for the party leaders to win over the potentially hundreds of thousands of voters who could decide the election,” Youcefi said.

The debate will be recorded at Gasklockorna, a venue in Gävle. SVT has broadcast a final debate before parliamentary elections since 1960, and Friday’s programme will be the 20th. It is the first time the live broadcast will not take place in Stockholm.

The participating party leaders are Ulf Kristersson of the Moderate Party, Magdalena Andersson of the Social Democrats, Jimmie Åkesson of the Sweden Democrats, Nooshi Dadgostar of the Left Party, Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist of the Centre Party, Ebba Busch of the Christian Democrats, Amanda Lind of the Green Party and Simona Mohamsson of the Liberals.