Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that preserving the current government remains a possibility after the election, despite a near-even split between the left and right blocs. According to the latest available data, they received 49.5% and 49.1% of the vote, respectively, with a difference of just three seats. Final results are expected after mail-in ballots are counted on Wednesday.
Speaking at the Moderate Party headquarters after a tense night of counting, Kristersson said: «The election results are not clear, but the voters have already given a clear signal: we will continue in the same way». He implied that without a shift of votes from the Moderate Party to the Liberal Party, the result would have been the same as in 2022. He added that this leaves an opening to reform a government involving the Moderate Party and the Centre Party.
The struggle to form a government
Magdalena Andersson, leader of the Social Democratic Party, which received the most votes of any single party, can only secure a change of government with the support of the Centre Party. Kristersson emphasized that the three left-wing parties have again failed to form a majority in the Riksdag. He noted that the last time they succeeded was in 2002, and since then, Sweden has rejected a leftward shift in every election.
Kristersson stated that if the current opposition secures 175 seats in parliament, he will concede defeat. At the same time, he noted that Andersson may attempt to unite the Green Party, the Left Party, and the Centre Party around a joint government and budget. He intends to test whether a different viable government configuration can be formed within the non-socialist majority that could win parliamentary support for his economic policy.
Andersson and Kristersson also cautiously left the door open for cooperation between the two largest parties. The Social Democratic leader announced her intention to seek «broad cooperation» and stressed that there is every reason for a new spirit of collaboration in Swedish politics. She signaled that she would like to involve Kristersson in such cooperation while avoiding the formation of a government that includes the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD).
For his part, Kristersson said he is open to cooperation if it promotes economic growth and security, protects workers, Swedish companies, and family incomes. Meanwhile, he continues to explore the possibility of involving the Centre Party, which received 7.1% of the vote. He stated that this party belongs to the non-socialist majority and opposes tax increases.
Kristersson emphasized that a non-socialist majority has existed in Sweden since 2002, so he believes it is worth testing whether it can lead to a government configuration capable of passing a budget through parliament. He also noted that he intends to explore other negotiations that could lead to government support, even if they differ from Andersson’s plans.
Source: ABC.es
