Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Lofven’s Social Democrats is still trying to form a cabinet following an inconclusive election in September.
Now, the Sweden’s Centre Party has announced it will give the PM a “final chance” to meet demands for reforms, before deciding whether to oppose him in a vote next week that could doom Lofven’s bid for a second term.
As reported by the Reuters news agency, Lofven is now serving in a caretaker capacity after losing a mandatory vote of confidence that followed the election. He is trying to win support from traditional rivals the Centre Party and the Liberals to avert another election.
Parliament is likely to vote next week on a new prime minister.
Centre Party leader Annie Loof said the Social Democrats had not yet satisfied her party’s demands for reforms, which include lower taxes and less restrictive labour and housing laws.
“The Social Democrats’ response to the Centre Party’s political demands are unfortunately far from enough,” she wrote in the daily Aftonbladet. “Taking that into consideration, we are ready to vote no … but we will give the Social Democrats one final chance.”
Lofven on all parties to make an effort to come to an agreement.
“We have put forward a serious offer but it will come as no surprise to anyone that our parties have different views on a number of issues,” Lofven told reporters. “Let’s sit down and negotiate.”
Lofven has until December 10 to conclude his negotiations.
