Sweden’s Andersson fails in latest bid to form government

Andersson’s center-left bloc narrowly won September’s election with 176 seats to the right-wing coalition’s 173 but remains divided over the composition of the new government.

Speaking after meeting with Parliamentary Speaker Andreas Norlen, the Social Democratic leader said negotiations had made progress but had not produced sufficient support.

“My overall assessment is that progress has been made, but that there are currently no conditions for forming a government that can be tolerated by the Riksdag,” she said, according to SVT.

Andersson said it was now up to the speaker to consult other party leaders and decide how to proceed.

“I have informed the Speaker that I am ready for a vote on the Prime Minister,” she said, adding that a vote at this stage would concern a government consisting solely of Social Democrats.

Left Party deputy leader Ida Gabrielsson said her party would oppose such a government.

“We will do that and more parties will certainly do that. There is no drama in that,” she told public broadcaster SVT.

Green Party spokesperson Amanda Lind reiterated her party’s preference for a majority government involving all four parties, saying discussions had advanced but no agreement had been reached.

Andersson urged parties to act constructively and focus on policy, stressing that none could expect to secure all its demands.