Center Party leaders prepare to meet on government formation

Senior figures in Sweden’s Center Party are expected to meet on Thursday to discuss the government question, SVT reports, citing sources. The party board and parliamentary group have both been called to the meeting.

The meeting was scheduled earlier and is intended to give the two groups a shared assessment of the situation, according to several sources. Center Party figure Martin Ådahl declined to confirm that it would take place, saying it would be difficult to hold such meetings calmly and make sound decisions if they were discussed publicly.

Ulf Kristersson of the Moderate Party is currently trying to form a government based on the non-socialist majority in parliament. He needs the Center Party’s support, but the party has so far ruled out cooperation with the right. Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson is also working to assemble a governing group, and the Center Party’s position could be decisive in that effort.

Ådahl reiterated that the Center Party will not give the Sweden Democrats political influence or allow the Left Party into government. He said the party needs an answer from the Social Democrats on whether they want the Left Party in government.

Center Party parliamentary group leader Daniel Bäckström said the next move rests with Kristersson, who has been tasked with exploring options for forming a government. He said the Center Party would continue to act constructively and would discuss different paths as the process develops.