Sweden’s speaker has given Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, leader of the Centre Party, a week to explore ways to form a government, Reuters reported, with opposition groups divided over a new cabinet.
Riksdag Speaker Andreas Norlen announced the assignment at a news conference Monday. Ringqvist is expected to update him by Oct. 26. Norlen said it was not yet clear who would lead a government if the discussions succeed, Reuters reported.
On X, Ringqvist said she wanted to help resolve the government question and was not seeking the premiership. She plans to involve every party leader in discussions. She has previously floated a centrist administration without the Left Party or the Sweden Democrats.
The assignment follows parliament’s Thursday vote against a minority-cabinet attempt by Andersson. Reuters reported that all four opposition groups back Andersson for the top job, but their views diverge on which parties should join a future administration. The center-left bloc emerged from last month’s election with only a slim parliamentary majority. The Centre Party was the fifth-largest party in the election, Reuters said.
The vote against Andersson was the first in a process that can include as many as four prime-minister votes before a fresh election must be called, Reuters reported. Sweden’s most recent early election was in 1958, according to the dispatch. Ringqvist’s report to Norlen is due by Oct. 26.
