Sawt Falasteen - Andersson vows to take Sweden in 'new direction' after election win

The four left-wing parties, led by Andersson's Social Democrats, hold a three-seat majority in the 349-seat parliament over outgoing prime minister Ulf Kristersson's right-wing alliance, which includes the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats.

Kristersson resigned after the final result was announced, allowing Andersson to start talks on forming a government.

"The Swedish people have voted for a new direction for our country. Voted for unity and against division," Andersson said in a speech posted to social media shortly after Kristersson announced his resignation.

She added that the people "have voted to move Sweden forward, and I want to realise the new direction that you have voted for".

The 59-year-old -- Sweden's first woman prime minister in 2021-2022 and finance minister for seven years before that -- is known for her direct and no-nonsense style.

She faces tough negotiations to form a government that could take weeks because of divisions between the Social Democrats, the Left Party, the Greens Party and the Centre Party.

- Centre as kingmaker -

If Andersson fails to form a government, Kristersson would be waiting to try to build his own majority.

After the 2022 election, it took 37 days to form a government and in 2018 134 days.

Andersson will in particular need to reconcile differences between the socialist Left Party and the liberal Centre Party.

The Centre Party has said it will oppose a government that includes cabinet posts for the Left Party, which has insisted on having a minister.

Andersson has previously ruled out a government that includes the Left Party, but wants their support in parliament.

Parliament can vote on a new prime minister on September 29 at the earliest.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who heads one of the few left-wing governments in Europe, hailed the win.

"After four years of a right-wing government with the far right, the Swedes are once again backing the welfare state, social justice and the green agenda," Sanchez said in a post to X.

- Right still has hopes -

Kristersson said on election night that he would respect Andersson's attempts to form a government, but wished her "good luck" given the divisions on the left.

"Talks will need to be held with all parties in order to find ways around these deadlocks and create the conditions for a stable and effective government," Kristersson said on Thursday.

He has previously said he is ready to explore options to find a majority among "non-socialist" parties.

He is seen as wanting to woo the Centre Party -- which used to belong to the right-wing bloc -- though it is staunchly opposed to a government which includes the Sweden Democrats.

Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist on election night stressed the party had "been clear that we are going into the election on the basis that the extremes should not dominate a government."

The Social Democrats -- which ruled the Scandinavian country for most of the 20th century and remains Sweden's largest party -- also looked to be heading for their worst score in over a century with 28.0 percent of the vote.

In a big surprise, the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, which entered parliament in 2010, lost support for the first time, garnering 17.5 percent of the vote, down three percentage points from the last election in 2022.

L.Hussein--SF-PST