Sweden begins fresh bid to form govt

STOCKHOLM:

Sweden's parliament speaker Andreas Norlen held talks with party leaders on Wednesday to determine who should make the next attempt to form a government after an inconclusive September election left both major blocs short of a majority.

Norlen said he would continue informal discussions before announcing the next step this week. He could ask outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to try again, or turn to Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson. Norlen has four attempts before a fresh election must be called.

Andersson abandoned her attempt on Monday after failing to unite the three other parties in her left-wing bloc.