Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
Related Articles
Neither of the two mainstream blocs can form a government on their own as far-right party makes major gains
Sweden faced political deadlock on Monday after the far-right made gains in legislative elections that left the question of who will form the next government up in the air.
As expected, neither Social Democratic Prime Minister Stefan Lofven’s centre-left bloc nor the centre-right Opposition garnered a majority.
The far-right Sweden Democrats, with roots in the neo-Nazi movement, solidified their position as third-biggest party, though they have yet to shake their outcast status. The four-party Alliance has however rejected his offer, urging him to step down and make way for them to form a government. Mr. Lofven is seeking a new four-year mandate but he will have difficulty setting up a stable government. He, like all of the other parties, has ruled out any cooperation with the far-right. He could try to build a similar government to 2014: a minority coalition with the Greens that relies on informal support in parliament from the ex-communist Left Party. But it would then be under constant threat from the Sweden Democrats, out to topple it at the first opportunity.
They are ready to block any attempt to pass legislation, such as the autumn budget bill. Mr. Lofven could also invite the Centre and Liberal parties to join him at the negotiating table. With one major caveat: the Centre and Liberals are members of the Alliance, together with the Moderates and Christian Democrats. Despite their differences, notably on immigration policy, the Alliance parties that ruled Sweden from 2006 to 2014 have agreed to try to form a government together.
Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/swedish-election-yields-a-hung-assembly/article24920683.ece
