 The fear that Sigismund might re-catholicize the land alarmed the Protestant majority in Sweden—particularly the commoners and lower nobility, and Charles came forward as their champion, and also as the defender of the Vasa dynasty against foreign interference.It was due entirely to him that Sigismund "as king-elect" was forced to confirm the resolutions at the Uppsala Synod in 1593, thereby recognizing the fact that Sweden was essentially a Lutheran Protestant state.Under the agreement, Charles and the Swedish Privy Council shared power and ruled in Sigismund's place since he resided in Poland.