Left Party welcomes Centre Party’s invitation to cross-party meeting

Sweden’s Left Party has welcomed an invitation from the Centre Party to meet with the other red-green parties, though both parties maintain their positions on whether the Left should join a government. SVT reported that all four parties have accepted the invitation.

The meeting is due to take place next week. External participants, including expert agencies, are also expected to attend.

Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist said her party still has a “very clear red line” against governing with the Left Party, but wants to show it can be constructive. She said the Centre had also contributed to the political deadlock.

The Left Party continues to seek ministerial posts in a red-green government. Party secretary Maria Forsberg said the parties should first discuss shared goals and agree on rules for cooperation before moving on to policy questions.

SVT political commentator Mats Knutson said the meeting marked a change for both parties. Given the sharp exchanges between them, he described it as a possible first step towards a thaw, while cautioning against drawing firm conclusions.

On Friday, Speaker of Parliament Andreas Norlén gave Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson until next Monday to continue her efforts to form a government. Knutson said she was unlikely to secure a parliamentary majority by then, and that Norlén might need to give her more time.