"We will not use our mandate to appoint an S-led government, regardless of whether Magdalena Andersson herself or someone else is sounding us out," Liberal Party leader Simona Mohamsson tells TT.
Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist has begun the task she was given by the Speaker of the Riksdag: to explore the possibilities for a centre-right government led by Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson. Such a government would include the Social Democrats, the Green Party, the Christian Democrats, the Liberals and the Centre Party.
But the Centre Party’s "middle alternative" is seen as stillborn by the Liberals. Mohamsson says the Liberals intend to vote against Magdalena Andersson three more times if the Speaker puts her forward in upcoming prime ministerial votes.
The centre of Swedish politics is not led by Magdalena Andersson but by Ulf (Kristersson). Elisabeth is very welcome to come over to the bourgeois side, says Mohamsson.
Looking forward to it
Andersson has already been rejected in a prime ministerial vote once. Three more votes remain before there is a snap election.
However, Thand Ringqvist is not discouraged by this news.
I will meet Simona and talk to her this week, and I look forward to it, says the Centre Party leader.
It won’t be that I can convince anyone this week, but I will gain a greater understanding of the conditions.
Mohamsson is also looking forward to the meeting, but intends to try to get the Centre Party to switch to the bourgeois side.
On Friday, the Centre Party leader will meet with all party leaders, including those who are not part of the middle alternative. She met with Magdalena Andersson on Tuesday.
The weekend will be devoted to reflection, and the results of the talks will be reported to the Speaker on Monday.
Moderate Party leader and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson believes the Riksdag should hold a second prime ministerial vote on Magdalena Andersson afterwards.
Every round of talks must end with a vote. Otherwise, we won’t get anywhere, he says.
A: Hard to see
Mohamsson also thinks Andersson should be put to a second prime ministerial vote. Testing Kristersson as long as the Centre Party supports Andersson would almost seem comical, according to her.
Within the Social Democrats, there is a different view. MP and former minister Anders Ygeman assumes that “other things will happen from the Speaker” before a new prime ministerial vote on Magdalena Andersson becomes relevant.
It is reasonable that if Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist were to fail, Ulf Kristersson would also be put forward and given the chance to sound out the parties, says Anders Ygeman.
What do you think?