Swedish political parties have begun negotiations to form governing coalitions, in a context of great uncertainty following the legislative elections. With 95% of the votes counted, the center-left bloc, led by Magdalena Andersson's social democrats, secures a narrow advantage of 176 seats (100 of which for the social democrats), against 173 seats for the right-wing parties. The Moderate Party, of outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, achieved 70 seats, while the Sweden Democrats, a far-right party, managed only 62 seats, having lost support for the first time since their founding.
The Center Party, which elected only 25 deputies, could become essential given the tight electoral result, as it announced its willingness to begin negotiations with the social democrats. This opening could provide Andersson with some guarantees in the government formation process. However, the Center Party stated it would try to form a coalition that focused on political stability and a clearly center-right character, without extremist policies.
Social democrat leaders met with Andersson on Monday morning, after a long election night during which there was only one seat difference between the two blocs. Social democrat spokesperson Tobias Baudin called for Kristersson's resignation, accusing him of having received a negative assessment from voters. Kristersson led the right-wing coalition government with the support of the Sweden Democrats.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Morgan Johansson considered the Center Party's opening positive and stated that there are good prospects for agreement. Although the Sweden Democrats lost support, many of their political proposals on immigration, integration and crime have become common including in the center-left.
