Europe28 September, 20262 min read
Magdalena Andersson Ends Sweden Government Talks After Social Democrats Fail To Form Coalition
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Magdalena Andersson fails to form government after exploratory talks, keeping Sweden in deadlock. Left Party backs conservative for Parliament Speaker, hindering center-left coalition prospects.
Andersson ends talks
Magdalena Andersson said her talks failed to form a government after Sweden's center-left Social Democratic Party bloc's narrow election victory. Andersson told reporters, "Based on the discussions I have had, I can conclude that, as things currently stand, it is not possible for me to form a government," as she informed the Parliament's president. The breakdown left Sweden without a new government more than two weeks after the election and opened the door for the outgoing right-wing bloc to try to remain in power despite losing the vote.
The Social Democrats, Greens, Center Party and Left Party together won 176 of parliament's 349 seats, while the outgoing right-wing alliance won 173, according to DW's account of the negotiations. DW said the speaker of parliament was expected to ask another party leader to try to form a government, with outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson the likely next choice.
Left backs speaker
Magdalena Andersson said she would inform the Speaker of the Parliament of her inability to form a government after the Left Party announced support for a candidate to preside over the Parliament for the Moderates. Andersson said at a press conference, "Of course I take the Left Party's message seriously, and based on that and the conversations I have had, I can conclude that there is currently no possibility that I can form a government," as the center-left bloc tried to assemble a cabinet. The center-left won 176 seats to 173 for the governing right bloc, in a vote described by La Vanguardia as a referendum on Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's promise to form a coalition with the ultra-right Sweden Democrats.
La Vanguardia said the Speaker of the Parliament would now decide whom to entrust with the task of seeking support for the formation of a government, possibly Kristersson. teleSUR English said the Left Party backed incumbent Speaker Andreas Norlen, a Moderate Party lawmaker, in Monday's election for speaker, after Andersson returned her exploratory mandate.
Caretaker path ahead
Ulf Kristersson continued to lead a caretaker government as Sweden faced political deadlock after Andersson's failed attempt to form a cabinet.
DW said Kristersson's bloc, which includes the far-right Sweden Democrats, had also failed to secure a majority and would probably need support from the Center Party.
DW reported that Center Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist ruled out supporting a government that gives influence to either the Sweden Democrats or the Left Party.
teleSUR English said Andersson accepted the mandate on Sept. 18 and held talks with several parties, while the Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar rejected Andersson's suggestion that her party and the Moderates had formed a new political bloc.
teleSUR English said Dadgostar backed Norlen because of his experience as speaker and in overseeing government formation talks, and it added that the decision should not be interpreted as a political alliance.