Centre Party advances Social Democrats’ proposal as rivals keep options open

The Centre Party will move forward with the Social Democrats’ full proposal for forming a government, a decision welcomed by the Social Democrats and the Green Party. The Moderates, Christian Democrats and Liberals are still backing the possibility of a centrist government, while the Left Party says it will not drop its demand for ministerial posts, SVT reports.

Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson called the Centre Party’s announcement an important step. She said it would allow talks to continue on a government that reflects the election result. Andersson said she would take discussions with the Left Party, Centre Party and Green Party into the next phase, while warning that much work remained.

Green Party co-leaders Amanda Lind and Daniel Helldén also welcomed the move, saying the parties had begun constructive work on a shared political programme.

Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch called the path the Centre Party was exploring a dead end, arguing that Andersson’s offer was incomplete. Busch said a minority government involving the Christian Democrats, Moderates, Liberals and Centre Party could be responsive and reach agreements with either the Sweden Democrats or the Social Democrats.

Moderate leader Ulf Kristersson said a solution within the non-socialist majority in parliament remained difficult, but not necessarily impossible. He called on the Social Democrats, Green Party and Left Party to respond to issues raised by the Centre Party. Kristersson said the door remained open to a government led by the Moderates, Christian Democrats and Liberals if talks among the left-of-centre parties made no progress.

Liberal leader Simona Mohamsson also urged the Centre Party to maintain its position against the Left Party. “Three left-wing parties are more than one Centre Party,” she wrote, adding that she remained open to parties that wanted Kristersson as prime minister.

Left Party deputy leader Ida Gabrielsson said the party’s demand for ministerial posts remained in place. Speaking on Agenda, she said parliament should next test whether Kristersson has enough support to become prime minister.

If Kristersson is rejected, a fourth round of exploratory talks would follow. If that also fails, a snap election would be held. Gabrielsson said the Left Party would not tolerate a government if it were excluded from it, and questioned whether the Centre Party would want a snap election after opening the door to cooperation with the Sweden Democrats. SVT said it had sought comment from the Sweden Democrats.