The Centre Party has asked Ulf Kristersson and Magdalena Andersson for detailed governing plans after Sweden’s parliament rejected two nominees for prime minister.
Sweden’s caretaker prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, said on Friday that he had asked for more time to explore forming a government. The request followed two unsuccessful votes on nominees for prime minister. September’s election left the bloc on his side of the contest with 173 seats and the opposition with 176, according to Reuters.
Kristersson’s prospects changed on Friday when the Sweden Democrats indicated they would refrain from blocking his bid, Reuters reported. The Centre Party said it would engage with him and challenged both Kristersson and Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson to show how their proposed governments could operate in practice.
The Centre Party asks for two governing plans
Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist is asking for policy commitments, the parties that would cooperate and a route to getting measures through parliament. The party says it continues to oppose supporting a government that cooperates with the Sweden Democrats. It also says the Left Party should stay out of government.
Those conditions complicate both routes. Kristersson must show the centrists how he would handle the Sweden Democrats’ influence. Andersson must explain how a government could function without a cabinet role for the Left Party. The Centre Party said it wanted both plans by the following week.
Abstentions can matter as much as votes in favour
Swedish parliamentary rules give negotiators room to discuss tolerating a cabinet from outside government. A speaker’s nominee passes unless at least 175 of the Riksdag’s 349 members vote against. Parties can abstain from the appointment vote while retaining the ability to oppose bills and spending plans later.
Speaker Andreas Norlén gave Kristersson the exploratory assignment on 3 November after the Riksdag rejected Thand Ringqvist. The speaker’s notice asked Kristersson to report by 10 November. A request for extra time leaves the next formal step in the speaker’s hands.
A caretaker cabinet remains in office
Kristersson continues to lead a caretaker administration made up of the Moderates, Christian Democrats and Liberals. The Riksdag says the speaker can put forward up to four nominees. If all four are rejected, an extraordinary election must be held within three months.
The immediate test is whether either contender can secure enough abstentions or support to survive the appointment vote. The Centre Party’s request raises a second test. A cabinet that can take office will still need a credible way to get its first budget and other measures through parliament.
Sources
Reuters — Kristersson’s request and Friday’s party positions
Swedish Parliament — the speaker’s assignment to Kristersson
Swedish Parliament — the second vote and rules for nominations
