Ulf Kristerson, the leader of Sweden's Moderate Coalition Party, today asked the parliament speaker for two more weeks to try to form a coalition and draw up a policy agenda after his right-wing bloc won narrow seats in parliamentary elections this month, reported Reuters.

In the elections held on 11 September, the Moderate Coalition Party, the Christian Democratic Party, the Sweden Democrats and the Liberals won 176 seats, while the centre-left won 173. However, their alliance must be formalized if Ulf Kristerson is to become prime minister .

"Nothing is finalized until everything is finalized," Moderate Coalition Party leader Ulf Kristerson told reporters after a meeting with parliament speaker Andreas Norlen. 

While the right-wing bloc has a clear majority, forming a government remains difficult.

Christerson's party has fewer seats than the Sweden Democrats, a populist, anti-immigrant party with roots in the far right.

However, the leader of the Sweden Democrats, Immi Okeshon, cannot secure enough support to form a government on his own.

The right wins the elections in Sweden

The Liberals, whose support Kristerson also needs, have ruled out participating in a government with the Sweden Democrats and will not support a coalition that includes them.

The most likely outcome is a coalition between the moderates and the Christian Democrats, with support in parliament from the Liberals and Sweden Democrats, but balancing the demands of all four parties would be difficult.

Kristersson said he would meet again next Wednesday with Andreas Norlen to make a statement to the press.

The deadline set by Norlen is October 15, adds BTA.

Sweden

Ulf Christerson