Loading…
- Parliament to vote Tuesday on Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist's candidacy, with Ulf Kristersson next in line to explore forming government if nomination fails
By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA (AA) - Sweden's parliamentary speaker Andreas Norlen announced Thursday that Center Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist will be nominated for prime minister as efforts to form a new government remain deadlocked, the Aftonbladet newspaper reported.
Thand Ringqvist has agreed to stand as a candidate despite not previously seeking the premiership, it said, citing Norlen's remarks at a news conference.
Parliament is scheduled to vote on Tuesday at 1 pm local time (1200GMT).
"It is, first of all, about keeping up the pace and increasing pressure on the parties to move closer to a solution," said Norlen.
If parliament rejects her candidacy, the speaker said Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson will have one week to explore the possibility of forming a government.
Thand Ringqvist was tasked on Oct. 19 with assessing prospects for a centrist coalition led by Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson. She told the speaker on Monday that the arrangement lacked sufficient support.
In comments to Aftonbladet, Thand Ringqvist said she accepted the nomination to lead a proposed coalition involving the Center Party, Social Democrats, Christian Democrats, Green Party and Liberals.
"My assignment was never about becoming prime minister myself, but about exploring the possibilities of a centrist government under Magdalena Andersson's leadership," she said.
She added that her party expected the speaker to nominate Andersson or give Kristersson a chance to explore forming a government.
"Following our discussions, the speaker has assessed that the next step in the government formation process is to nominate me as prime minister," she said, adding that she had also raised other possible ways forward.
Beyza Binnur Dönmez
