Magdalena Andersson fails again to form Swedish government, parliament vote set for Thursday
Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson said on Tuesday, 13 October, that the conditions for forming a government are still not met. Parliament speaker Andreas Norlén has scheduled a vote on her candidacy for Thursday, 15 October, though she has said she expects to lose it.
Second failed attempt
Magdalena Andersson, leader of the Social Democrats, told a press conference on Tuesday, 13 October, that progress had been made in talks with other parties, but that the conditions needed to form a government were not in place. She informed parliament speaker Andreas Norlén that she is ready to stand as candidate for prime minister but would probably fail in a parliamentary vote. Her first attempt failed in late September, after which she was given extra time. Sweden has now been without a new government for 30 days since the election.
- Parliamentary election, centre-left bloc wins 176 seats to 173
- Andersson's first attempt to form a government fails
- Andersson tells the speaker the conditions for a government are not met
- Parliament vote on Andersson as candidate for prime minister
The election result
In the election of 13 September, the centre-left bloc led by Andersson won 176 seats, against 173 for the right-wing bloc of prime minister Ulf Kristersson, which includes the Sweden Democrats. The margin was so small that counting took several days. Kristersson stepped down after the result, and Norlén has said he sees him as the natural next candidate, though he has not confirmed it. Sources say Kristersson would also struggle to win a majority.
- Centre-left bloc
- 176 seats
- Right-wing bloc
- 173 seats
Disputes within the bloc
The main obstacle is the Centre Party, which has drawn a red line against a government that includes the Left Party. The Left Party makes ministerial posts a condition for its participation in government. The Centre Party has said it will not back an executive that includes the Left Party. The Sweden Democrats, who supported the previous government from outside, have said they will only back a government they sit in, which the Centre Party does not want.
Thursday's vote and what follows
Norlén will propose Andersson to parliament on Thursday, 15 October. A candidate is rejected if more than half of the members vote against. According to Swedish broadcaster SVT, the Left Party and the Green Party are expected to vote against her proposal. If Andersson fails, the speaker can nominate candidates up to four times in total. If the fourth attempt also fails, new elections must be called, a prospect that public opinion does not support.
- 2018 election
- 134 days
- 2022 election
- 37 days
Past formation periods
Sweden has faced long negotiations before. After the 2022 election, parties needed 37 days to form a government, while after the 2018 election the process took 134 days.
