Sweden Democrats may reconsider demand for cabinet posts

The Sweden Democrats may signal they are willing to drop their demand for ministerial posts, Expressen political reporter Anette Holmqvist said ahead of the party’s announcement on government formation, SVT reported.

Party leader Jimmie Åkesson is due to outline the party’s position at a press conference in Sölvesborg at 12.30pm on Friday. The party has not said what the announcement will cover.

Holmqvist, speaking on SVT’s Morgonstudion, said such a change was possible. Aftonbladet has previously reported, citing sources, that the Sweden Democrats were considering dropping the demand to make it easier for the Centre Party to support a government on the Tidö side.

Another possibility, Holmqvist said, is that the Sweden Democrats could allow a government made up solely of the Moderate Party to take office. She said some party representatives had raised that option.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was given the task of exploring government formation by the speaker of parliament on Tuesday. Centre Party support is key to whether a government can be formed. Kristersson said the task would be very difficult, but perhaps not impossible. The red-green parties hold 176 seats in parliament, compared with 173 for the Tidö parties.

In April, Kristersson promised the Sweden Democrats ministerial posts if the parties won the election.