Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist was tasked with exploring the possibility of forming a centre-right government last Monday. Over the past week, she has met with the leaders of the other parliamentary parties.
"Today, there is a majority for centrist policies, but not for a centrist government," she said at a press conference after an almost hour-long meeting with Speaker Andreas Norlén.
Party-political deadlocks make this impossible.
The Centre Party leader explored the possibility of a government led by the Social Democrats’ Magdalena Andersson, with the Green Party, the Centre Party, the Liberals and the Christian Democrats. Above all, the Liberals and Christian Democrats insist that their candidate for prime minister is Ulf Kristersson of the Moderate Party.
The Speaker is calling around
It is unclear who will now take over the task of forming a government. The Speaker will consult the other party leaders by telephone, and a new announcement will come on Tuesday at the earliest.
According to Thand Ringqvist, her talks have also shown that there is very weak support for the Left Party to be part of a government.
The Centre Party and the Left Party continue to have sharp red lines against each other, and both believe the other should back down. The Centre Party is not wavering, according to Thand Ringqvist.
We are so far apart in our views on the market economy, trade, foreign policy, criminal policy and a lot of issues related to migration policy, too. We are supposed to make decisions together in a government, and that will not be possible with the Centre Party and the Left Party in the same government.
Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar writes on Instagram that the talks have shown there is no middle ground.
"Now there are two realistic government alternatives: a red-green government or a Tidö government. The Centre Party must choose between them, otherwise Sweden risks holding a snap election," she writes, adding that the Left Party’s door is open to the Centre Party.
Can talk about politics
Thand Ringqvist could consider discussing policy with Dadgostar, provided the Left Party drops its demand for ministerial posts. Since the meeting at Högberga farm a couple of weeks ago, the parties have been talking differently than before, she says.
The Centre Party is also prepared to allow a one-party government with the Social Democrats, if it pursues centrist policies.
At the same time, she has not given up on the possibility of a centre-right government later on, perhaps in the run-up to a fourth vote for prime minister and amid the threat of a snap election.
"I still think a centre-right government may be possible at a later date," she says.
What do you think?