Magdalena Andersson was acclaimed as the winner of Sweden’s election. Four parties – adding up to a majority – said they wanted her to be prime minister, and she was charged by the speaker with forming a government. Yet on Monday she threw in the towel.
The immediate pretext was the decision by the Left Party to support the re-election of speaker Andreas Norlén, a Moderate, over the Social Democrats’ own candidate.
But it followed two weeks in which Andersson had failed to get the Centre Party, Left Party and Greens to so much as take a cup of coffee with each other.
Now it’s up to the speaker to find someone else willing to have a go.
Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange.
Not yet a member of The Local? Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
Politics
- Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson abandons attempt to form a government
- Strategy or spite? Why is Magda giving up on forming Sweden's next government?
- EXPLAINED: What needs to happen for Sweden to get a new prime minister?
- From the obvious to the unthinkable: Nine options for Sweden's government
Brexit
You can listen to the latest episode here:
Follow Sweden in Focus wherever you listen to podcasts.
Watch on YouTube