The Fort Worth Press - Swedish Social Democrats leader to make new bid to form government

Speaker Andreas Norlen said Andersson should report back to him by October 12.

"On the basis of the conversations I have had, I have decided that Magdalena Andersson, the Social Democrats' party leader, will be given the task of continuing to resume her exploratory assignment," Norlen told a press conference.

In Sweden's September 13 election, centre-left opposition parties won 176 seats in parliament, versus 173 for outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's right-wing bloc -- which includes the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats.

Norlen first tasked Andersson to start government talks on September 18, but she gave up on September 28, after failing to unite the three other parties in her group due to deep ideological differences -- primarily between the socialist Left Party and the Centre Party.

There was speculation that the speaker could give the assignment to Kristersson.

"We have four parties in our parliament with a majority and they have Magdalena Andersson as their number one prime minister candidate," Norlen told AFP.

"So I think it's reasonable that she can explore her options to form a government on her side of Swedish politics first and continue the task that I gave her some time ago," he added.

Asked whether it was possible Kristersson could be given a chance if Andersson failed again, Norlen said "anything is possible" but he wanted to see how Andersson's attempt "plays out".

In a comment to media, Kristersson said it was "natural" that Andersson should be tested given the election result.

Norlen stressed that Andersson's assignment would formally begin on October 5. "I want to give the parties some time for reflection before the formal process resumes," he told the press conference.

In a statement to social media, Andersson said she welcomed the announcement.

"Over the weekend I will reflect on how I can move the process forward. I hope that other parties will also reconsider their positions," Andersson said.

The speaker has four attempts to propose a prime minister candidate for a vote in parliament. If the fourth attempt fails, a snap election must be called.

Sweden has become accustomed to lengthy negotiations to form a government. After the 2022 election it took 37 days and 134 days in 2018.

S.Palmer--TFWP