Parliamentary candidate (O)

Ahead of the 2026 parliamentary election, O is seeking parliamentary candidates who are prepared to represent those voters who feel that none of the established parties represent them.

O is working to make Swedish representative democracy fully representative by giving voters the opportunity to vote ‘no’ to all existing options – a ‘none of the above’ option that counts as a valid vote in the election and results in actual representation.

Voters in Sweden can currently only vote ‘yes’ to one of the options offered on the ballot — a direct ‘yes’ to a party. Abstaining from voting, casting a blank or invalid vote does not result in representation for the voter; instead, the seats, resources and political power that these voters represent are distributed among the parties that take their seats in the Riksdag — an indirect ‘yes’ to all parties.

About the role

As an O parliamentary candidate, you are registering your consent to stand as a candidate for O in the 2026 general election.

If O is allocated seats and, in accordance with the Electoral Act and the rules of the Riksdag, you are offered a seat as an O Member of Parliament (MP), you undertake to fulfil the mandate that O’s voters have given the party.

This mandate involves representing the voters’ ‘no’ vote in the Riksdag by voting ‘no’ on all government bills, motions and proposals put to the vote during the parliamentary term.

The aim is to ensure that voters who have chosen O receive the representation they voted for and that their mandate is not converted into support for other parties.

As an O MP, you will therefore vote ‘no’ in every vote throughout the entire term of office. No exceptions. No negotiations. The mandate entails consistently representing the voters who have chosen O.

The role is party-ideologically neutral. O does not represent the right, the left or the centre, but rather the principle of democratic representation. O believes that the right to vote can only be complete if it also includes the option to vote ‘no’. Without such an option, the right to vote is, in practice, limited to a choice between different ‘yes’ options.

The role involves varied tasks and offers the opportunity to make a significant impact and exert considerable influence. Mathematically, it is more difficult to form a majority bloc if the ‘no’ vote is represented in the Riksdag. All other parties will need to make greater efforts and work together to get their policy proposals passed in the Riksdag.

Qualifications

O is looking for candidates who are:

• Swedish citizens
• eligible to vote in parliamentary elections
• eligible for election to the Riksdag
• prepared to represent the voters who voted for O
• prepared to attend Riksdag votes
• prepared to fulfil the mandate to vote ‘no’ in all votes
• prepared to optimise Swedish democracy
• interested in issues relating to democracy and representation
• comfortable to represent voters who lack confidence in the current party-political options

Desirable qualities

It is desirable if you:

• feel that you lack representation in today’s party-political system, i.e. that you are unrepresented
• have a documented commitment to issues relating to democracy and society
• are interested in developing ideas on how democratic representation can be strengthened
• believe that the exercise of power should be proportionate to actual voter support
• see value in Sweden developing ways to represent political discontent that are not purely symbolic, unlike, for example, the Kalle Anka party (which is an excellent symbolic gesture)

‘Desirable’ means that it is an advantage if you meet the following criteria, but they are not mandatory, to be considered for the role.

Please refrain from applying if you are a:

• Professional politician (O takes the power back from the political elite that rightfully belongs to the people )

Personal qualities

O attaches great importance to personal suitability.

O is looking for people with a strong sense of justice, sound judgement and the ability to stand by their convictions even under pressure. The role requires integrity, perseverance and the ability to cope with public scrutiny.

About registering as a candidate

Registering as an O candidate does not guarantee that you will become a Member of Parliament. It is the voters and the election result that decide.

As a candidate, however, you have the opportunity to influence the outcome by actively participating in the campaign and helping to raise awareness of O among more voters.

All candidates become members of O and sign an agreement to fulfil the mandate that O’s voters have given the party should they be elected to the Riksdag.

About the role of an O MP

Position: Member of Parliament. Employer: The people. Recruitment process: O. Final selection: The eligible voters.

If O is elected, the role of an O Member of Parliament is a full-time position based at the Swedish Parliament in Stockholm (Riksdagen).

The post will be taken up after the election if O is awarded mandates.

Travel may be required as part of the role.

Remuneration is paid in accordance with the rules applicable to Members of the Riksdag. Any O-membership fees or internal charges will be decided collectively by O’s members after the election.

The salary will range from a minimum of: 34,470 SEK (90 per cent of the median salary in Sweden – salary requirement for a work permit as of 1 June 2026) and a maximum of: 81,400 SEK (the full parliamentary allowance as determined by the Riksdag, 1 January 2026) minus any O-membership fees and internal charges decided by O’s members.

Practical information

Applications will be accepted from the date of publication until 5 September.

O welcomes applicants with a variety of experiences and backgrounds.

Applications should be submitted electronically to: ansoka@orepresenterad.se

Your application should include:

• a brief biographical profile and CV
• a motivation of no more than 500 words in Swedish or English

You can read more about how the ‘no’ vote is systematically eliminated from the electoral system in English here: https://orepresenterad.se/O_WhitePaper_ENG_July.pdf

O is happy to receive calls from anyone interested in the role, but will decline calls from those selling advertising or recruitment services.