Persson says the situation after the election does not look easy, but believes the parties have learned from the 134 days it took to form a government after voters had their say in 2018.
An important factor, according to Persson, is what Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) chooses to do when the final election results are available in a day or two.
If we get a result of 176-173 and he doesn't resign, then you lose 14 days immediately, says Persson, who has experience of negotiations with both V and C during his tenure.
Persson does not believe that any party wants a new election, or a special election as it is formally called. Sweden has had to hold new elections only once, in 1958, under different conditions. But if the Riksdag does not vote for a prime ministerial candidate in four attempts, a special election will be called.
Those who are now acting here must have that in mind, says Persson, emphasizing that whoever pushes for an extra election could "become the big loser in it."
So it's not an easy thing.
