Both said in TV4's debate duel that they are ready to try to form governments immediately after the election results are clear.
We have a plan laid out for that if we get the opportunity, says Social Democrats leader Magdalena Andersson after the duel and believes that things will be resolved between the red-green parties if the alternative is a government "dominated by Sweden Democrats ministers."
Moderate leader Ulf Kristersson has scheduled a meeting with his partner parties L, KD and SD on Monday evening.
If the election results are in line with opinion polls, an S-led government will need to cooperate with at least four parties to gain a majority.
Several ways
Andersson points out that there are three ways to cooperate: to sit in a government together, to be a partner party to the government in parliament, and to cooperate on individual issues.
However, V has demanded to be allowed to sit in an S-led government in order to give such a government its support.
The Left Party has a long way to go before they can sit in a government, says Andersson.
However, I am happy to collaborate with them.
Furthermore, the Center Party does not intend to accept a government that includes V.
However, Andersson does not rule out governing with shifting majorities if she emerges victorious in Sunday's election. This means that a minority government will negotiate on various issues with different parties to gain a majority for its proposals.
That's how I governed Sweden when I was prime minister, but I don't think that's the most likely scenario, Andersson told the media before the debate duel.
“Total chaos”
Kristersson warns that it is a "megalomania" - a recipe for "total chaos in Sweden".
He knows which parties he wants to be in government with, but how ministerial posts should be distributed and which of the many election promises should be prioritized requires tough negotiations.
We have proven that we can handle that task, says Kristersson on TV4.
Andersson warned in the duel that SD members will use their ministerial posts to spread divisive and harsh rhetoric. She linked that rhetoric to the fact that a Social Democratic municipal councilor in Gothenburg was threatened on Saturday by a man who shouted traitor and wanted to throw him into the water.
Kristersson warned that an S-led government collaboration, a left-wing experiment with V and MP, means increased taxes that could stop the economic recovery and a softer line against crime.
“Fat failed”
The hosts asked the prime ministerial rivals to give each other ratings for how they behaved during the election campaign.
Andersson gave the Moderates a "complete fail" grade and claimed that they had consistently spread lies about S politics.
This bitterness is not for me, I think we had a nice election campaign, says Kristersson.
