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Swedish Opposition Leader Says He Wants a Snap Election

Swedish Opposition Leader Says He Wants a Snap Election

(Bloomberg) --

The leader of Sweden’s largest opposition party, the Moderates, called for a snap election as he tries to oust the Social Democrat-led government that rules with support of his former allies.

“The only thing that could resolve the paralyzed situation in our country is a new election,” Ulf Kristersson said in a parliamentary debate on Wednesday. “The Moderate party is politically and organizationally prepared to meet the voters again. Sweden needs a new government as soon as possible.”

The Social Democrats lead Sweden in coalition with the Green Party, and with the support of two long-standing allies of Kristersson, the Center Party and the Liberal Party.

In Sweden, snap elections can only be called by the sitting government. But Kristersson made clear that his party wants to try to topple the Social Democrats before the next vote is due to be held in 2022. As part of that push, he has moved closer to a formal cooperation with the nationalist Sweden Democrats, to confront the fragile government.

To contact the reporter on this story: Niclas Rolander in Stockholm at nrolander@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Tasneem Hanfi Brögger at tbrogger@bloomberg.net

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