Lengthy negotiations ahead

Sweden’s general election has produced a close and inconclusive result, with just 28,000 votes separating the two coalitions that have ruled the Nordic country in recent years.

Given the uncertainties, here’s a guide to the possible government configurations that might assume office:

Lofven II

Stefan Lofven has headed a minority centre-left government together with the Greens, backed by the Left Party. His Social Democrats have lost seats but remain parliament’s biggest party. Should the weakened coalition still manage to form a government, expect a third attempt from the Social Democrats to introduce a tax on banks’ operations, introduce an extra week off for parents, raise spending on welfare and lower taxes on pensions.

Alliance Cabinet

Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson is the candidate for prime minister for the Alliance, the centre-right party bloc. Should Kristersson and the Alliance succeed, income taxes will be lowered, spending on defence and police will be raised considerably.

Social Democrat-led Cabinet

Moderates Cabinet

The Alliance has been under some pressure due to contrasting views on the Sweden Democrats. The Liberals and the centre Party have said they are against forming a government should they need to rely on the help of the Sweden Democrats, meaning Kristersson may attempt to go it alone. A Moderates-led government

If forming a minority government proves too difficult, Lofven might attempt to cobble together a broad coalition. The most likely candidates to join such a configuration are the Green Party, the centre Party and the Liberals, perhaps also supported by the Left Party.

Such a configuration would most likely be less strict on immigration and spend more on measures to protect the environment.

Grand Coalition

One of the least likely scenarios would see the two biggest