Sweden’s government formation collapses after Left Party backs rival speaker

Key points

• Andersson’s center-left bloc won the September 13 election by a narrow three-seat margin, securing 176 seats compared to 173 for the outgoing right-wing bloc.
• The Left Party chose to support Andreas Norlén, a Moderate Party member and incumbent speaker, over the Social Democrats’ candidate, Johanna Haraldsson.
• Andersson stated that the Left Party’s decision violated the traditional norm that the largest party in a governing coalition holds the speaker’s post, making a coalition impossible.
• Outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who resigned after the election loss, is expected to be tasked with forming a government next, though his right-wing bloc also lacks a clear majority.
• The Center Party, a key member of the left bloc, has refused to support any government involving the far-right Sweden Democrats, complicating potential right-wing alternatives.

Background

Following the September 13 general election, Andersson was widely expected to return as prime minister after leading the center-left bloc to a slim victory. Previous coverage indicated that coalition talks would be delicate due to internal divisions among the four left-wing parties, including the Left Party and Center Party. The Sweden Democrats, a far-right party, lost ground in this election, but their potential influence on the right-wing bloc remains a factor in Sweden’s political landscape.

How outlets are covering it

POLITICO and ABC News both report that Andersson’s failure to form a government stems directly from the Left Party’s support for a Moderate Party candidate for parliament speaker. POLITICO emphasizes the traditional norm that the largest party in a coalition holds the speaker’s post, while ABC News highlights the broader implications for the right-wing bloc, noting that Kristersson’s coalition also lacks a clear majority. Yahoo’s coverage is limited to a brief statement that coalition talks have failed, without detailing the specific dispute over the speaker’s post. The earlier POLITICO interview with Andersson, conducted before the collapse, outlined her plans to strengthen the EU and address foreign policy issues, but these plans are now on hold due to the domestic political deadlock.

Why it matters

The collapse of Andersson’s government formation efforts creates a political vacuum in Sweden, potentially leading to a prolonged period of uncertainty or a return to the right-wing bloc, which also lacks a clear majority. This deadlock could impact Sweden’s foreign policy priorities, including its stance on the EU, NATO, and relations with the far-right Sweden Democrats, as well as its ability to address domestic and international challenges.

What to watch

The parliament speaker is expected to task another party leader, likely Kristersson, with forming a new government. Kristersson’s right-wing bloc will need to find a majority, potentially by wooing the Center Party, which has refused to support any government involving the far-right Sweden Democrats. If Kristersson fails to form a government, further coalition talks or a new election may be necessary.