Stockholm: The speaker of the Swedish parliament has announced that a vote for the premiership is due to be held on Friday, giving parties a two-day extension to resolve outstanding differences.
Andreas Norlen made the announcement on Monday after talks with the party leaders. “The process is very close to being completed. Its should not fail [due to] me not giving the parties a few more hours.”
During the consultations, it emerged that the Left Party was not yet prepared to allow Social Democratic leader Stefan Lofven’s bid for the premiership, Norlen said.
Both Lofven and Left Party leader Jonas Sjostedt requested an extension. Norlen is set to meet all party leaders again on Wednesday.
The speaker added that he was “very critical” of the last-minute extension request, saying that he had given the parties specific timelines in December.
Numerous failed attempts at creating a government since September’s inconclusive elections have been staged.
Norlen had initially planned to make the premiership nomination on Monday, to be followed by a confidence vote on Wednesday.
The main contenders for the premiership are Lofven and Ulf Kristersson, who leads the conservatives.
After meeting with the speaker, Lofven said the country needs a government.
Lofven defended a draft agreement with the Greens, the Centre Party and the Liberals that would allow him to stay on as prime minister. — AFP
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