Twelve political scientists doubt Sweden is heading for another election

Twelve political-science professors doubt Sweden’s government-formation deadlock will lead to another election, despite the parties’ apparently fixed positions nearly six weeks after voters went to the polls.

None of the professors contacted in a TV4 canvass published on Friday expects an extra election. Several nevertheless said one could not be ruled out.

Their reasoning centres on the risks for the parties themselves. A fresh vote could leave them with fewer seats, while another campaign would consume time and money, particularly for parties with weak finances.

Jan Olsson of Örebro University described another election as a substantial gamble. Jonas Hinnfors of Gothenburg University said parties knew their current position but could not know what a new vote would bring.

Hinnfors compared the competing red lines and demands for cabinet seats to a confrontation in which someone eventually has to give way. He could not say which party would do so.

The next confirmed meeting is on Monday, 26 October, when Centre leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist is due to report to Speaker Andreas Norlén at 10:00 on her efforts to find a government parliament could tolerate.

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