During the previous parliamentary term, the so-called proxy voting system collapsed. It was an informal agreement between the parties to preserve the balance of power in the Riksdag (the Swedish parliament) based on the election results.
The system allowed MPs to go on business trips, attend funerals or call in sick.
The system was discontinued after the Sweden Democrats (SD) brought in two disqualified MPs to vote on a motion that the Tidö parties would otherwise have lost. This provoked great anger among the red-green parties.
Since then, from April 29, all 349 MPs have had to be present for votes to reflect the election results.
No meetings planned
Six months later, there is still no new proxy voting system in place. None of the red-green parties' group leaders have held or planned any meetings with the Tidö parties.
Nothing new on that front, unfortunately, says Elin Aarflot, press secretary to Social Democratic group leader Lena Hallengren.
After the election, the red-green parties have a three-seat advantage over the Tidö parties - 176 to 173 - while the Left Party currently has one MP on sick leave, which in practice means a two-vote advantage.
The first regular vote of the parliamentary term will be held on October 21, followed by votes almost every week in November and December.
A first step towards a new agreement would be for the group leaders of the Moderates and the Social Democrats to sit down and negotiate. They made contact in June. But according to TT's information, the Moderates are not keen on such a meeting now, at least not before the end of the year.
Can take months
Christian Democrat (KD) group leader Camilla Brodin says the red-green parties should take the initiative.
At present, the ball is not in our court to seek a proxy voting agreement. However, we are open to discussing what such an agreement might look like. If the other side is prepared to allow all parties to be part of an agreement, we are prepared to present proposals, which we already had this spring.
The Sweden Democrats are also showing little interest in reaching an agreement quickly.
It's not at the top of my "to-do list," says SD group leader Matheus Enholm, who nevertheless adds that it would obviously be good to have a functioning proxy voting system.
