Why Sweden may avoid an early election after political deadlock

Several factors weigh against a snap election in Sweden as parties face a difficult government formation, SVT reports. For some parties, there may be more to gain than lose by dropping their political red lines, according to a quote in the broadcaster’s report.

A snap election must be held if parliament rejects the Speaker’s proposed prime minister four times, unless a regular election is due within three months. The government can also call one between regular elections.

But Sweden has not held a snap election since 1958, and politicians have usually found ways to resolve deadlocks over forming a government, SVT notes. The broadcaster’s political reporter Kristoffer Törnmalm discusses the factors weighing against one.

A snap election is a new election, with largely the same rules as a regular election. It is different from a re-run, which applies to a specific constituency or area after an appeal.