“Now we want to see what the two prime ministerial candidates are prepared to put on the table. We are ready to hold intensive talks for a short time with both the Moderates and the Social Democrats,” Center Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist said at a press conference.
The Center Party wants to see a “total package” from both the Social Democrats and the Moderates, with substantive policy proposals. The statement has the backing of the party’s parliamentary group and board.
Less impossible
The statement came after the Sweden Democrats said they were open to tolerating a four-party centre-right government led by Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson.
“Today’s statements from the Sweden Democrats and the Center Party could make the task a little less impossible,” Kristersson said, referring to the possibility of putting together a government programme.
Kristersson has asked for a few extra days before reporting to the Speaker on his exploratory mission.
“All the solutions on the table right now are quite unlikely. It will be difficult, perhaps very difficult, but perhaps not completely impossible.”
The talks are ongoing and will not take a break for the weekend, he said.
Limit the fringes
Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist also wants Andersson and Kristersson to explain how their policies would be implemented and with whose support.
“Which parties will you cooperate with? How will you get support for your reforms in the Riksdag and limit the influence of the fringes?” Thand Ringqvist asked.
The Center Party’s red line against the Sweden Democrats is firm: it cannot cooperate with a government that includes the party or is influenced by it. The red line against the Left Party being in government also remains.
“All of these things still apply.”
Andersson more likely
Thand Ringqvist did not say how she would get around the Sweden Democrats’ support if Ulf Kristersson is to remain a candidate for prime minister.
“We are negotiating in parallel. It is unusual, or innovative, because we are in such a deadlock,” Thand Ringqvist said.
At the same time, the Center Party still sees Magdalena Andersson as the more likely candidate for prime minister.
“We have discussed policy more with Magdalena Andersson and, at various levels, with officials on the red-green side. We have not been completely idle over the last 55 days.”
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