# Trygger's conservative government (19 April 1923)

URL: https://allhistories.com/sweden/timeline/1923-trygger-s-conservative-government
Location: Stockholm, Uppland
Themes: Politics

On 19 April 1923 Ernst Trygger, leader of the conservatives, became Prime Minister after Hjalmar Branting's second government fell in a Riksdag defeat over unemployment policy. Trygger, a former law professor, headed a minority conservative ministry. Trygger had long been a determined defender of strong executive authority and had opposed many democratic reforms, although he accepted the new constitutional order. His government sought to cut public spending and strengthen defence at a time when the other parties favoured disarmament following the First World War. The ministry lasted only 18 months. After the 1924 election, in which the Social Democrats gained ground and disarmament was a leading issue, Trygger resigned and Branting returned for a third term on 18 October 1924. The frequent changes of government in the 1920s reflected a parliament where no bloc held a stable majority.

## Why it matters
Trygger's ministry illustrated the unstable minority governments of the 1920s, when power shifted frequently between blocs.

Ruler at the Time: [Gustaf V](https://allhistories.com/sweden/rulers/gustaf-v)

Prime Minister of Sweden: Ernst Trygger (General Electoral League / Right)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Ernst Trygger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Trygger)
- [Wikipedia — Hjalmar Branting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hjalmar_Branting)
- [Wikipedia — Prime Minister of Sweden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Sweden)
- [Wikipedia — Democratic Breakthrough (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Sweden)