Chamber:
	Riksdagen
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	18 September 1994
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament on the normal expiry of the members’ term of office.
Background and outcome of elections:
	After the previous (1991) general elections, a non-socialist minority Government took office. The chairman of the Moderate (Conservative) Party, Mr. Carl Bildt, became Prime Minister. Four parties were represented in this centre-right coalition: the Moderate Party, the Liberal Party, the Centre Party, and the Christian Democrats. During 1991-1993, Sweden experienced its most serious economic crisis since the 1930s, with the gross domestic product (GDP) shrinking by nearly 6% and unemployment reaching record levels. The deficit in the public sector amounted to 12% of the GDP, which meant that overall public sector debt grew to nearly 80% of the GDP. In November 1992, the Swedish currency was sharply devaluated after an intense struggle by both the Government and the opposition to maintain the value of the currency. The non-socialist Government tried to improve the economy, and undertook reforms such as privatisation of State-owned companies, and deregulation of markets; it also took initiatives in the fields of health, education and child care. The 1994 campaign thus focused on the economy, especially the austerity measures of the outgoing Government as well as the budget deficit and how it could be cut. Unemployment was also discussed. Although the issue of whether or not Sweden should join the European Union was only to be decided in a referendum in November, this question probably contributed to the ultimate success of the Left Party and the Ecology (Greens) Party. According to final polling results, the governing parties lost votes so that the non-socialist Government was forced to resign. The opposition Social Democratic Party gained about 8% of the popular vote compared to their 1991 result. The New Democracy party failed to reach the 4% vote threshold and did not retain any seats in Parliament. The Ecology (Greens), which was represented from 1988 to 1991 but lost all its seats in the 1991 elections, succeeded in capturing enough votes to return to Parliament. Of the four governmental parties, only the Moderates avoided losses. The total number of seats held by women rose to 41%. On 7 October, Mr. Ingvar Carlsson, leader of the Social Democrats, became Prime Minister at the head of a minority Government, returning to the post he had held from 1986 to 1991 (his party has governed Sweden (alone or in coalition) since 1993 for the periods 1976-1982 and 1991-1994). The new Cabinet was announced the same day.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (18 September 1994): Elections results
Number of registered electors	6,496,365
Voters	5,640,393 (86.8%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers	84,853
Valid votes	5,555,540

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Votes	%
Social Democratic Party	2,513,905	45.25
Moderate Party (Conservatives)	1,243,253	22.38
Centre Party	425,153	7.65
Liberal Party	399,556	7.19
Left Party	342,988	6.17
Ecology (Greens) Party	279,042	5.02
Christian Democratic Party	225,974	4.06
New Democracy	68,663	1.23
Others	57,006	1.02

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total	Gain/Loss
Social Democratic Party	161	+23
Moderate Party (Conservatives)	80	=
Centre Party	27	-4
Liberal Party	26	-7
Left Party	22	+6
Ecology (Greens) Party	18	+18
Christian Democratic Party	15	-11
New Democracy	0	-25
Others	0	=

Distribution of seats according to sex:
Men:	208
Women:	141

Comments:
	As of 14 October 1994, after substitutes were appointed for members of the new Government and some other changes, the distribution by sex was 205 men and 144 women.

Distribution of seats according to age:
Under 30 years	16
30-39 years	35
40-49 years	116
50-59 years	149
60-64 years	29
65 years and over	4