The election year's first party leader debate in the Swedish parliament is set for January 14, 2026, at 18:00, rather than the usual morning slot. Speaker Andreas Norlén welcomes the shift to allow more voters to watch the broadcast. The debate will air live on SVT.
The Swedish parliament's party leader debate, kicking off the 2026 election year, has been rescheduled to a more viewer-friendly time. Traditionally held in the morning, this one starts at 18:00 on January 14. The decision was made by Speaker Andreas Norlén in consultation with the party group leaders.
Norlén expresses satisfaction with the change in a press release. “We want in this way to give more voters the opportunity to follow the party leader debate in live broadcast. It is important in our democracy that the party leaders' arguments ahead of the election become known,” he says. He adds: “I believe there is value in voters being able to take part in several different types of party leader debates in various formats, especially in an election year, and I am therefore glad that the parliament's party leader debate will also be broadcast on SVT at a time when many have the opportunity to watch.”
SVT will broadcast the debate live, making it easier for a wider audience to engage in the political discourse ahead of the election. The shift is viewed as a step to bolster democracy through greater accessibility.