Sweden’s Moderate Party leader agrees deal to form minority coalition

Copenhague, Oct 14 (EFE).- The leader of Sweden’s Moderate Party, Ulf Kristersson, announced Friday that he had formed a deal with the Christian Democrats and the Liberals to form a minority coalition government.

The move comes after the right-wing block won a slim majority in the September 11 elections.

“We received a mandate from the Swedish people on election day, and we take it with the utmost responsibility,” Kristersson said during a press conference in which he announced his deal.

“It will be a three-party government with the Moderates, the Christian Democrats and the Liberals. That government will cooperate closely with the Sweden Democrats,” he added.

It is the first time the anti-immigration SD party will have influence in policy making.

If Speaker Andreas Norlen approves Kristersson’s coalition deal, parliament will vote on the proposed government on Monday the earliest.

The right-wing block won elections in a narrow majority, winning 176 to 173 seats in the 349-member parliament. EFE

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