Sweden Faces Government Deadlock

Sweden’s Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson has abandoned her attempt to form a new government after failing to secure enough parliamentary support. Her decision comes despite the centre-left bloc winning a narrow majority in the September 13 election.

The centre-left bloc holds 176 seats in the 349-member parliament, compared with 173 for the centre-right. Andersson said she could not form a government after the Left Party withdrew its support, while the parliament’s speaker is expected to next ask Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to attempt to form a government.

The process could involve several rounds of negotiations. The speaker can put forward up to four candidates for parliamentary approval; if all are rejected, Sweden would hold a new election. The political uncertainty comes alongside police investigations into several complaints of possible election fraud.

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