Magdalena Andersson has won crucial backing from Sweden’s Centre Party in her attempt to form a new government, although she still needs further support to secure enough votes.
The centre-left bloc, led by the Social Democrat leader, won a narrow majority over right-wing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s alternative in September’s election. However, the parties have yet to agree on how power should be shared.
The Centre Party had asked both the left and right blocs to set out plans for winning its support. On Sunday, it said it would proceed with Ms Andersson, provided she could persuade the Left Party to drop its demand for a place in government.
“The Centre Party has today decided to proceed with Andersson’s proposal, and we want to negotiate on the final details,” its leader, Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, told Swedish Radio.
Ms Andersson has proposed forming a government with the Centre Party and the Greens. She would also need the Left Party to tolerate her government, but it has insisted that it must be included in government before voting for her.
The Centre Party has ruled out joining a government with either the Sweden Democrats or the Left Party. The Left Party has faced accusations of anti-Semitism.
