STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Swedish Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson has been given more time to try to form a new government, and is hopeful of striking a deal with the Left Party to become the country’s first female prime minister.
Andersson is in negotiations with the Left Party to gain their support ahead of a potential vote. The speaker said in a statement that he had extended the deadline until Nov. 22, after a request from Andersson.
“The conversations were constructive so in the sense it is worth asking for more time. I think we can reach an agreement,” Andersson told a news conference.
Andersson was elected by the Social Democrat party to replace former prime minister Stefan Lofven as its chairperson this month. Lofven handed in his resignation as prime minister last week.
Lofven led a shaky, minority government with the Greens from 2014.
It relied on support from parties on the left and right and Andersson will also need to find support from outside the current coalition to win a confirmation vote in parliament.
While she does not need a majority in the 349-seat house to back her as prime minister, she must avoid a majority voting against her.
She has secured the backing of the centre-right Centre Party but she will also need tacit support from the Left Party.
(Reporting by Johan Ahlander, Editing by Helena Soderpalm and Alex Richardson)
