Moderates call Andersson’s abandoned government bid extremely weak

Swedish Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson has abandoned her attempt to form a government, drawing sharp criticism from the Moderates. The party’s group leader, Mattias Karlsson, called her decision “extremely weak” in comments reported by SVT.

Andersson is handing back the mandate to explore forming a government ten days after receiving it from the speaker of parliament. She said the move followed the Left Party’s decision to support Moderate Party politician Andreas Norlén for another term as speaker, creating “a new constellation” of Left Party members and Moderates in parliament.

“My starting point is that the mandate should go to one of these parties,” Andersson said at a press conference.

Karlsson said Andersson had not made a serious attempt to bring her political side together. He argued that the speaker should tell her to make a proper effort to see whether she can unite it.

Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar said Andersson remained the party’s candidate for prime minister and should now bring together the red-green parties to form a government.

Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Åkesson said Andersson’s announcement was expected because it had long been clear she could not assemble support for a government. He told SVT that his party would not accept a government it was not part of.

Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch said her party was ready to take responsibility for the country, maintaining its position from before the election. Liberal leader Simona Mohamsson invited Left Party deputy leader Ida Gabrielsson to discuss strengthening the right to personal assistance.

Moderate leader Ulf Kristersson had not commented directly on Andersson’s announcement. After Norlén was re-elected speaker, Kristersson wrote that parliament needed stability and a speaker with broad respect across party lines.