Sweden Democrats drop demand for cabinet seats
The Sweden Democrats have dropped their demand for cabinet seats and offered to abstain in a vote on Ulf Kristersson as prime minister, while refusing a lasting support agreement.
Party leader Jimmie Åkesson announced the shift in Sölvesborg on Friday. His previous position was that the party must enter government or vote against it, SVT reported.
Åkesson said SD could tolerate a four-party centre-right government if the Centre Party’s objections prevented a cabinet including the Sweden Democrats. SD would then enter opposition, negotiating individual issues when it suited the party.
The offer removes SD’s ministerial ultimatum. It does not establish a governing majority: the Centre Party has opposed cooperation with SD and favoured Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson for prime minister.
Åkesson also told SVT he would remain prepared to bring down a Kristersson government. Kristersson welcomed the announcement but said talks continued.
Left Party deputy leader Ida Gabrielsson argued that such a government would still depend on SD’s votes to pass decisions, according to SVT’s live reporting.
Kristersson received an exploratory mandate on Tuesday after MPs rejected Centre leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist. He is due to report back to the Speaker by 10 November.
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