In practical terms, she has refused to work with the far-right, anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, who Kristersson needs on his side to have any hope of winning.
But she has also ruled out working with the former communists in the Left Party, who Andersson is likewise dependent upon for a majority. The Left Party, which will be emboldened by a bigger haul of seats, has said the price of its support is having ministers in the government — and that’s too far for Thand Ringqvist.
Unlike Kristersson, who has led his Moderate Party since 2017, or Andersson, who was prime minister and lost power in 2022, Thand Ringqvist is not a veteran operator with a long record of deal-making in parliament.
The 54-year-old former lobbyist was first elected in 2022 and has been leader of her party only since November last year.
For now, she is keeping her counsel. Votes are still being counted, and the final seat tally won’t be known before Wednesday. Parliament won’t meet to vote on who could be prime minister until Sept. 29 at the earliest.
In time, however, she will have to choose. There are many crisscrossing red lines in play among the eight parties — and leaders, in the end, tend to find ways to compromise. If they can’t, Sweden may not get a government at all.