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Sweden’s center-left edges ahead by three seats as Andersson moves toward a return
The final count gave Magdalena Andersson’s bloc 176 seats and Ulf Kristersson’s side 173. Coalition talks are expected to be difficult because of tensions among the left’s potential partners.
Sweden’s final election count confirmed a razor-thin advantage for the center-left, with Magdalena Andersson’s bloc taking 176 seats against 173 for Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s side in the 349-member parliament, according to the Swedish Election Authority as reported by POLITICO Europe and France 24.
The result puts former prime minister Magdalena Andersson in position to try to return to office. Her Social Democrats emerged as the largest single party, but she still needs backing from three other parties in the left-leaning camp to secure a governing majority.
That path is likely to be complicated. POLITICO Europe reported that the Left Party wants ministerial posts in the next government, while the liberal Center Party says it cannot accept that arrangement. Because of those differences, negotiations could last for weeks.
According to POLITICO Europe, the earliest a new prime minister could be sworn in is September 29. Unless those talks unexpectedly collapse, the outcome effectively ends Kristersson’s chances of staying on.
After the final votes were counted, Kristersson submitted his resignation to the speaker of parliament and is expected to remain in a caretaker role until a new government is formed, POLITICO Europe reported.
France 24 said the narrow margin was ultimately confirmed after early ballots that had not reached polling stations by election day were added to the tally, including votes cast from abroad.
On the right, the election also brought a setback for the Sweden Democrats, Kristersson’s allies. POLITICO Europe said the party lost votes, seats and influence after hoping to enter government as ministers for the first time.
Sources
About this piece. Written by El Notero with AI assistance, from reporting published by the outlet cited above. El Notero did no original reporting on this story.
