Speaker gives Center Party leader government exploration mandate

Swedish parliament Speaker Andreas Norlén has tasked Center Party leader Elisabeth Thand Rinqvist with exploring possible government options, SVT reported. She said she would invite all party leaders to talks but did not want to become prime minister.

Norlén said Thand Rinqvist’s name had been raised by parties on both the left and right after parliament rejected Magdalena Andersson’s bid to become prime minister of a Social Democratic government last Thursday. He said starting with what he called the “centre option” seemed reasonable, while noting that the process was not an exact science.

Thand Rinqvist said her aim was to help find a solution to the government formation process. She said the Center Party wanted a government that could create more jobs, reduce emissions and strengthen welfare.

No date has been set for a parliamentary vote on a prime ministerial candidate. Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson told SVT the speaker’s decision was logical, given that the red-green parties hold 176 seats, and said they should be allowed to explore their possible government options.