Sweden’s far-right party gives up on cabinet posts amid post-election gridlock

STOCKHOLM, Nov 6: The far-right Sweden Democrats party, an ally of the right-wing caretaker government, said on Friday it was dropping demands for ministerial posts, potentially boosting Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s chances to remain in power.

Kristersson’s bloc lost its majority in a September election but was tasked this week by Sweden’s parliament speaker with exploring a government formation as the center-left election winners failed to agree on a coalition.

Sweden’s Center Party, which could hold the key to deciding whether the Nordic country gets a right-wing or a left-wing government, has ruled out supporting a cabinet that includes the Sweden Democrats, as well as one that includes the Left Party.