Centre-left parties remain tight-lipped as Swedish coalition talks drag on

The centre-left opposition parties are keeping their lips sealed regarding any coalition meetings taking place behind closed doors.

According to a Left Party insider, the Centre Party is still refusing to sit down for joint party leader talks, reports the TT newswire.

Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson was tasked by the speaker of parliament with exploring options to form a new government, after her left-wing bloc emerged with the most votes in the September 13th election.

However, what that government might look like remains unclear, and the divide between the Centre Party and the Left Party still appears vast.

According to TT's Left Party source, the party leaders have yet to meet. Nor have there been any joint government talks at any level involving the Centre Party.

The Centre Party's press office stated only that they maintain an ongoing dialogue with several parties, refusing to elaborate further.

The Left Party has no intention of backing down from its demand for cabinet posts, deputy party leader Ida Gabrielsson asserted in an interview with SVT on Sunday. She acknowledged that this could lead to a snap election, but placed the blame squarely on the Centre Party.

"We will stand our ground, absolutely. We received strong backing from the voters and made the largest gains," she said.

The "too long, didn't read" version: Andersson needs the support of both the Centre Party and the Left Party to be elected prime minister. The Left Party has pledged to reject any government that doesn't include Left Party ministers; the Centre Party has pledged to reject any government that does include Left Party ministers. The speaker has four attempts to propose a nominee to parliament, after which a new election has to be called.