The largest is the Social Democrats, which is also the party that has played the most prominent role in Swedish politics in the past one hundred years.
The other parties are the Moderates (formerly Conservatives),Liberals, Christian Democrats, Center Party (formerly Agrarians), Left Party (formerly Communists) and Green Party.
The parties have traditionally been grouped into a rightist (non-socialist) and leftist (socialist) bloc. Toward the end of the 20th century, however, partially new dividing lines also began to play a major role, especially environmental issues and European economic and political integration.
Today the parties face new challenges, among them a growing problem in recruiting new members, as well as a general distrust of established political institutions.