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Swedish opposition leader Andersson says she cannot form government after narrow left-wing win

Centre Party's refusal to back far-left or far-right leaves both blocs short of a workable majority

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Swedish Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson has announced she sees no possibility of forming a government with the other parties in the left-wing bloc, following the September 13 general election in which the centre-left won a narrow majority of 176 seats to the incumbent right bloc's 173 seats.

The election was widely seen as a referendum on outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's promise to form a coalition with the far-right Sweden Democrats. However, the Left Party, one of the three parties in the left-wing bloc, said over the weekend it would back a candidate for parliament speaker from the rival Moderate party. Ms Andersson said that move undercut her attempt to build a government.

"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 for me to form a government," she told a press conference on Monday.

The speaker of parliament is now expected to task another party leader, likely Mr Kristersson, with trying to form a new government. Mr Kristersson currently leads a caretaker government. His right-wing bloc, which includes the Sweden Democrats, would also struggle to find a parliamentary majority. He said following the loss that he was ready to explore options to find a majority among "non-socialist" parties.

He is seen as wanting to court the Centre Party, which currently belongs to the left-wing bloc but previously sided with the right. However, Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist has refused to be part of or support any government that gives influence to the parties on the far left or far right, leaving both blocs without an obvious path to a stable government.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Sweden faces a prolonged government formation process with no clear majority for either bloc.
  • The far-right Sweden Democrats' path to influence depends on coalition negotiations that all mainstream parties have so far resisted.
  • The Centre Party has emerged as a potential kingmaker, but its conditions rule out both far-left and far-right support.

Background

Sweden's system of negative parliamentarism means a prime minister does not need a parliamentary majority to govern, only to avoid being defeated on a vote of no confidence. This can allow minority governments, but requires at least one bloc to secure enough abstentions or support. The Centre Party's history as a former right-wing partner makes it an unpredictable but potentially decisive actor in the current talks.

Key Perspectives

Magdalena Andersson and the Social Democrats: Unable to secure the support of all left-bloc parties after the Left Party's move, Andersson has stepped back from government formation despite her bloc's narrow electoral win. The Left Party: By backing a Moderate candidate for speaker, it signalled that it would not automatically support a government including Andersson, forcing the Social Democrats to look elsewhere for support. Ulf Kristersson and the right-wing bloc: Kristersson is exploring "non-socialist" options, but the Sweden Democrats' involvement complicates any effort to attract centrist support. The Centre Party: Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist has drawn a clear red line against both far-left and far-right influence, which blocks the most arithmetic routes to a majority for either side. Critics and skeptics: With both blocs unable to command a workable majority, there is a real risk of a prolonged stalemate or a fresh election if no leader can secure the necessary support in parliament.

What to Watch

  • Who the speaker of parliament tasks next with forming a government.
  • Whether Ulf Kristersson can win Centre Party backing without involving the Sweden Democrats.
  • The possibility of another general election if no coalition can be assembled.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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