Swedish newswire TT reports that, according to a well-informed source within the Left Party, the Centre Party still refuses to sit down for joint talks between party leaders.
Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson has been tasked by the parliament speaker with seeking support for a new government. However, the shape of such a government remains unclear.
None of the former opposition parties are willing to publicly disclose what meetings might be held this week.
The gap between the Centre Party and the Left Party still appears wide. This became evident on Friday after both party leaders – Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist of the Centre Party and Nooshi Dadgostar of the Left Party – had met with the Speaker.
"Since the purpose of the meeting is to negotiate the formation of a government, there is little point in attending, given our position that we cannot sit in a government with the Left Party," said Thand Ringqvist.
Now, according to a well-informed source within the Left Party, the party leaders have not yet met. Nor have there been any joint government-formation meetings whatsoever with the Centre Party and the Left Party.
The Centre Party’s press office states only that the party is in ongoing dialogue with several other parties but declines to provide further details.
The Left Party does not intend to back down from its demand for ministerial posts, Deputy Party Leader Ida Gabrielsson asserted on SVT’s Agenda program on Sunday. This could lead to a snap election, but she would place the blame for that on the Centre Party.
"We will stand firm, absolutely. We have received strong support from voters and made the biggest gains," she said.