He served as the prime minister for two months in 1884, a period after the impeachment of his predecessor Christian August Selmer called Schweigaard's Ministerium.

Schweigaard held a number of key positions, including Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1889–1891 and 1893–1896, as well as Parliamentary Leader from 1889–1891 and 1894–1895.

He was Emil Stang's indispensable partner, leading the Conservative Party's policy and organizational development in the 1880s and 1890s.

The government, in which Schweigaard served as Prime Minister and as head of the Audit Department, took office on 3 April 1884.

Threats of a new impeachment, a divided Conservative Party, a conflict of Swedish public opinion, and an uncertain King Oscar II eventually led to Schweigaard's resignation on 31 May, which was granted on 26 June 1884.