Swedish general election, March–April 1887

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Early general elections were held in Sweden in March and April 1887, having not been due until the autumn.^[1] They had been called following a debate over rye tariffs, and became known as the "tariff election".^[1] The result was a victory for the pro-free trade candidates, who won 136 of the 221 seats.

Background

Tariffs had become a major political issue in Sweden during the mid-1880s. In 1885 a campaign for tariffs to be introduced on grain was rejected by both chambers of the Riksdag. The following year the issue was debated again, and whilst the Second Chamber approved their introduction, the First Chamber rejected them. The matter was settled when a joint sitting of the two chambers rejected the initiative.^[1]

In 1887 a tariff on rye was voted down 70–68 in the First Chamber, which went onto vote down all other tariffs.^[1] The Second Chamber then approved the rye tariff by 111–101. With it looking as if the tariff proposal would be passed at a joint sitting, King Oscar II dissolved Parliament with the support of Prime Minister Robert Themptander, and called fresh elections.^[1]

Results

An intensive election campaign led to a large increase in voter turnout; since the changes to the electoral system in 1866 turnout had always been below 25%, but for this election it was 48%.^[1] Only 21.9% of the male population aged over 21 was eligible to vote.^[2]

Aftermath

Following the spring elections, some MPs attempted to delay a decision on tariffs by proposing that a commission of inquiry be set up. Although this was supported by Themptander, Parliament rejected the idea.^[1]

Despite the Spring elections, the scheduled August and September elections still went ahead, resulting in another victory for the free trade bloc, albeit with a reduced majority.^[1]

References

Elections and referendums in Sweden General elections 1866 1869 1872 1875 1878 1881 1884 1887 (Mar-Apr) 1887 (Aug-Sep) 1890 1893 1896 1899 1902 1905 1908 1911 1914 (Mar) 1914 (Sep) 1917 1920 1921 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1958 1960 1964 1968 1970 1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 European elections 1995 1999 2004 2009 2014 County Council elections 2002 2006 2010 2014 Municipal elections 1991 2002 2006 2010 2014 Referendums 1922 1955 1957 1980 1994 2003