Sweden's church election results are now final. A total of 889,330 people cast their votes in the recent election. This represents 18.84 percent of eligible voters participating. The turnout shows a slight increase from the 2021 election when 18.39 percent voted.
The Social Democratic Workers' Party remains the largest nomination group with 71 seats. The Politically Independent in the Church of Sweden follows as the second largest group with 45 seats. The Center Party lost eight seats in this election. Meanwhile, the Greens in the Church of Sweden increased their representation from 8 to 19 seats.
A new electoral threshold took effect for this year's church election. Parties now need at least two percent of votes to gain seats in the Church Assembly. Himmel and Jord cleared this threshold and will receive six seats. However, Alternative for Sweden fell below the required percentage according to church officials.
Why do church elections matter in a country known for secular values? The Church of Sweden maintains significant cultural and historical influence despite declining membership. These elections determine how the church manages its substantial properties and engages with social issues. The small voter increase suggests some Swedens still value having a voice in church affairs, even as participation remains below 20 percent.