Sweden political crisis enters ‘new phase’: PM

Bloomberg

Social Democratic leader Stefan Lofven said Sweden’s political crisis has now entered a “new phase” as he prepares to start “sharp” negotiations with key opposition parties on forming a viable coalition.
The Social Democrats will hold negotiations with the Center Party and the Liberals, as well as its ally the Green Party, he said.
“We will make every effort to take this over the goal line.”
After leading the Social Democrats to their worst election in a century, Lofven is now poised to take advantage of discord within the center-right bloc. Luring the Center Party and Liberals over to his side would mean the end to decades of bloc politics. But he will likely need to make big compromises to meet demands for tax cuts, labour and housing market reforms.
In a nod to the progress, the speaker of parliament extended a Wednesday deadline for Lofven, saying he will now need come back with a progress report by Friday and a second update on December 10.
Sweden has struggled to form a government after an inconclusive election almost three months ago that saw large gains for the nationalist Sweden Democrats. Lofven said that it was key that Sweden could get a government that shuts out the Sweden Democrats from influence.