Sweden’s Social Democrat leader, Magdalena Andersson, has announced her failure to form a government with the election-winning centre-left bloc. Speaking to reporters on Monday, she stated, “I can conclude that there is currently no possibility for me to form a government,” and confirmed she would return the mandate to the speaker of parliament.
Andreas Norlén, the speaker, will consult with party leaders on Wednesday to identify a suitable candidate to attempt forming a government. Norlén, who was re-elected as speaker on Monday, assigned Andersson the task on 18 September.
With departing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson resigning after the election loss, he is now expected to be asked to make another attempt at forming a government. Andersson’s centre-left alliance, which includes the Left Party, the Centre Party, and the Green Party, holds a three-seat majority in Sweden’s 349-seat parliament, securing a total of 176 seats. In contrast, Kristersson’s right-wing bloc won 173 seats, with the Social Democrats emerging as the largest party, winning 99 seats.
Kristersson has called for “constructive openness” among parties to work towards a viable government, suggesting discussions must be held to resolve deadlocks and establish a stable government. He is reportedly looking to gain support from the Centre Party, which previously aligned with the right-wing bloc. However, its leader, Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, has committed to centrist policies and rejected collaboration with parties on the political fringe.
In Sweden, if the speaker fails four times to secure approval for a prime minister from the Riksdag, a snap election will be called.
