Hägglund warns snap election could punish left-green parties

Former Christian Democrat leader Göran Hägglund says a snap election could punish the left-green parties if they fail to form a government, SVT reported. Preliminary election results show an opposition victory, but the question of government formation remains unresolved.

Hägglund and former Green Party spokesperson Maria Wetterstrand discussed possible ways forward for the left-green side on SVT’s current affairs programme Aktuellt.

Hägglund said negotiations between the Social Democrats, Greens, Centre Party and Left Party would be difficult if the parties could come together. He predicted lengthy talks and strong pressure on both sides.

“Ultimately, this has to be resolved, because otherwise there will be a snap election,” Hägglund said. “In a snap election, it is not unlikely that voters will punish those who have failed and vote for another government.”

Wetterstrand, who negotiated with the Social Democrats in 2002, said the party was tough in negotiations and that pressure from voters would increase over time.

“They went into the election promising to replace this government, and if they cannot form an alternative, voters may feel that they are not really taking responsibility,” she said.

Hägglund said the Social Democrats could put pressure on both the Left Party and the Centre Party to determine whether either was willing to abandon its red lines. He said it would be unwise to rely on only one of the parties.

Wetterstrand said political content could persuade a party to compromise, particularly if it secured reforms included in its election manifesto. She added that the Left Party could be harmed if it rejected such reforms and forced a snap election that returned Tidö to power.