Swedish conservative leader gets two more days to finalize his government

The leader of Sweden’s Moderate Party, Ulf Kristersson, has asked Wednesday for two more days to negotiate the formation of a government, after talks with other conservative formations failed to produce results within the deadline.

Kristersson had until this Wednesday at 11.00 to present a clear agreement, after he had previously received an extension from the president of the Riksdag (Parliament), Andreas Norlen. In the absence of progress, the two have met again.

The conservative politician has conveyed to Norlen that the talks are progressing, but he needs two more days. The president of the Parliament has granted them — until Friday at 11.00 –, giving rise to a new timetable that contemplates the hypothetical vote of the prime minister for Monday, October 17, according to a statement from his office.

Norlen has explained that, while he wants Sweden to finish this process “as soon as possible,” he also understands that the work already underway cannot be “forced.” According to Kristerrson, these negotiations are progressing “very well,” reports Bloomberg news agency.

The Moderate Party aspires to a coalition with the Christian Democrats and the Liberal Party, but must also weave support on the far right, since Sweden Democrats was the second most voted formation in the last elections, only behind the Social Democrats of the current acting prime minister, Magdalena Andersson.