Sweden’s parliament will vote on Wednesday on whether to confirm Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson as the country’s first female prime minister, the Riksdag speaker said on Monday, amid doubts about her ability to garner enough support.
Andersson, the current finance minister, has been in talks with the Left Party to secure their support to succeed Stefan Lofven, who resigned as prime minister earlier this month. more info
“Unfortunately, we haven’t worked out all of the details, and we haven’t reached an agreement,” Andersson told reporters. “Therefore, it is not clear yet that I will be passed by the Riksdag, but the Speaker has decided to put me forward as a candidate in a prime ministerial vote.”
Andersson stated that talks with the Left Party, which wants a say in policy in exchange for its support, had been fruitful.
“I am still hopeful that we will be able to reach an agreement,” she said.
Lofven led a fragile, minority coalition government with the Greens that relied on support from the Centre and Left Parties beginning in 2014. Andersson took over as Social Democrat leader from Lofven earlier this month.
The Centre Party has stated that it will not oppose Andersson.
If Andersson does not win the support of parliament to become prime minister, it is unclear who will lead the country.
Given the current political deadlock, the leader of the largest opposition party, the Moderates, has stated that he does not see a way to form a center-right government.
This could force the speaker to call a snap election just 10 months before the country’s scheduled election.
Without a deal with the Left, it is also unclear whether the government will be able to pass its budget, which is due to be voted on by lawmakers later on Wednesday.
At 0800 GMT on Wednesday, parliament will vote on whether to confirm Andersson as prime minister. Lofven is in charge of a caretaker government until a new prime minister is appointed.