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Swedish opposition leader Andersson wins crucial backing to form government

Reuters
Swedish opposition leader Andersson wins crucial backing to form government

STOCKHOLM, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Swedish ‌opposition leader Magdalena Andersson won crucial support on Sunday from the Centre Party ​in the ‌quest to form a new government, Swedish ‌Radio reported, although work still remain to secure enough votes.

The centre-left, headed by Social Democrat leader ‌Andersson, won a slim majority over right-wing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's alternative in September's vote, but has been unable to agree on how to share power.

The ⁠Centre Party asked the political left and ‌right blocs to outline plans ⁠on Friday to win their backing but said ​on Sunday they wanted to go forward with the Social Democrats, provided Andersson can persuade ​the Left Party to back down from ​demands ‌to be in government.

"The Centre Party has today decided ​to proceed with Andersson's proposal, and we ⁠want to negotiate on the final ‌details," Centre ​Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist ​told Swedish Radio.

Andersson has proposed to form a government together with the Centre Party and the Greens but would also need to be tolerated ‌by the far-left Left Party, but they insist they also have to be in government to ‌vote ​for Andersson.

The Centre Party has ruled out being in government with either the far-right Sweden Democrats and the Left Party, which has faced accusations of anti-Semitism.

(Reporting ‌by Johan Ahlander; Editing by Will Dunham)