rki.news | Source: Xinhua
STOCKHOLM, October 15: Sweden’s parliament on Thursday rejected Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson’s nomination as prime minister, prolonging the political deadlock following last month’s general election.
Andersson, who served as prime minister from 2021 to 2022, received 99 votes in favour and 248 against in the 349-member Riksdag, according to Swedish Television.
Parliament Speaker Andreas Norlén had nominated Andersson to lead a single-party Social Democratic government after negotiations among four parties failed to produce an agreed coalition.
The Social Democrats, Left Party, Green Party and Center Party collectively hold 176 seats but remain divided over government formation. The Left Party wants cabinet positions, while the Center Party refuses to join a government that includes it. All three smaller parties opposed Andersson’s nomination.
Andersson said further parliamentary votes might be necessary before a new government could take office.
Following the rejection, Norlén is consulting other party leaders on the next steps. Under Sweden’s constitutional rules, if parliament rejects four proposed prime ministerial candidates, an extraordinary election must be held within three months.
The government formation process has remained unresolved since outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson requested to leave office following the September election.
Swedish Parliament Rejects Andersson as Prime Minister
