Ygeman doubts Busch will block Andersson after election

Social Democratic politician Anders Ygeman has dismissed Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch’s pledge to vote against Magdalena Andersson as prime minister until an early election, SVT reports.

“When you are pressed by journalists who put a microphone in front of a party leader, you often want to sound bombastic,” Ygeman said.

Busch has repeatedly said she wants the Tidö parties to govern for another four years, while also saying she could govern with the Social Democrats in an “exceptional situation”. Her position has angered Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson, who demanded that she make clear she would prefer an early election to voting for Andersson as prime minister.

On Wednesday, Busch said the Christian Democrats would be prepared to vote against Andersson all the way until an early election.

Ygeman said, however, that the position might change after the election.

“One can say one thing before the election, and then say something else afterwards,” he said. “No one knows the election result, and once the result is known, circumstances may look different.”

Asked about the possibility of forming a government with the Christian Democrats, Ygeman said neither party was seeking such an arrangement. He added that the Social Democrats could cooperate with the Christian Democrats on individual issues, such as energy policy.

Ygeman previously told Expressen that Busch would be an “excellent foreign minister”. He clarified to SVT that this was not his preferred outcome.

“Ebba Busch has strong ministerial qualities, but I want to see a Social Democratic government and nothing else,” he said.