Sweden’s parliamentary speaker has formally tasked Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson with exploring the possibility of forming a new government following the centre-left bloc’s narrow victory in the country’s parliamentary election.

Speaker Andreas Norlén announced the decision on Friday after holding consultations with leaders of the parties represented in the Riksdag, Sweden’s 349-seat parliament. Andersson has accepted the assignment and will begin negotiations on forming a government that can secure sufficient parliamentary support.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Andersson said she wanted to lead a government that would implement what she described as a new direction chosen by Swedish voters and work to keep the country united.

The centre-left bloc comprising the Social Democrats, Left Party, Green Party and Centre Party won 176 seats, giving it a three-seat majority over the four-party right-wing bloc, which secured 173 seats. The Social Democrats remained the largest party with 99 seats, while the Left Party won 30, the Greens 22 and the Centre Party 25.

Despite the bloc’s parliamentary majority, Andersson faces difficult negotiations before a government can be formed. The four parties differ on several policy issues and, in particular, on the composition of the prospective cabinet.

The Left Party has indicated that it wants ministerial positions in a new government, while the Centre Party has opposed giving the Left Party seats in the cabinet. The disagreement could complicate efforts to establish a workable governing arrangement.

Andersson previously served as Sweden’s prime minister from 2021 to 2022, becoming the country’s first woman to hold the post. She is now seeking to return to the position after Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson resigned following the election result.

Kristersson, whose four-party governing bloc was defeated, called for broad and constructive discussions among the political parties to overcome differences and establish a stable government.

“Discussions will need to be held with all parties to find ways around these deadlocks and create the conditions for a stable and effective government,” Kristersson said in his resignation letter.

The government-formation process could take weeks. Under Sweden’s parliamentary system, the speaker can nominate a candidate for prime minister, who must then secure sufficient parliamentary support. If attempts to form a government fail, further candidates can be proposed before the country would face the possibility of another election.

The election marked a significant shift in the balance of seats in the Riksdag. The Social Democrats increased their position relative to the previous election and remained the largest party, while the Sweden Democrats' representation fell to 62 seats from 73 in the previous parliament.

For Andersson, the immediate challenge is therefore not the election result itself but translating the narrow parliamentary majority into a functioning government acceptable to the parties whose support she needs.

The coming negotiations are expected to focus on the composition of the cabinet as well as policy priorities and agreements that can hold the four-party bloc together. (ILKHA)