Sahlin retains hope for Ohly cooperation

Social Democrat leader Mona Sahlin remains hopeful that a tripartite coalition with the Green party and the Left party remains possible. Confirmation is expected within two weeks, Sahlin says.

• Left Party veteran Lars Werner dead (12 Jan 13)
• Sjöstedt chosen as new Left Party leader (6 Jan 12)
• Left Party rejects shared leadership (5 Nov 11)

According to Sahlin discussions are progressing positively. Left party leader Lars Ohly has meanwhile revealed that talks are in deadlock.

During the week the economic spokespersons of the three parties have been in negotiations trying to find a common economic policy platform.

Standpoints are, according to Ohly, as gridlocked as they were in June, when disunity became a public fact and resulted in a decision by the Social Democrats and the Green party to break away and continue their own negotiations.

"We have got stuck in matters of form which would should have been overcome a long time ago. We are prepared to be flexible and compromise but we can not do so alone. There is no security in a partnership that begins with an ultimatum," Ohly said.

At a press conference at the Social Democrat party headquarters on Friday Sahlin said that the issue of cooperation will be sorted out.

"I realize that this is a problem, has been a problem and continues to be a problem as long as we have not conclusively sorted out the form of our cooperation with the Left party."

"There is a constructive desire to have the Left party on board, but we do not want, in the economic climate in which Sweden is heading, to deviate from responsible economic policy," Sahlin said.

The respective parties' economic spokespersons will conclude their discussions in two weeks and then the issue will be in the hands of party leaders, Sahlin explained.

The Social Democrats and the Green party are insisting that the Left party agree to an economic framework with a budget ceiling, budget surplus target and an independent Riksbank.

The Left party is keen to discuss jobs, welfare and climate issues. If a combined platform can be found that can balance welfare and justice then the framework regulations are no problem, according to the Left party.

Mikaela Valtersson of the Green party has confirmed that the same questions are begin asked of the Left party now as in June.

"We have not changed our position. We can not compromise away a balanced budget. That is unrealistic," she said.

The group will now take a week off as the Social Democrat's Thomas Östros is going to the USA and the Left party's Ulla Andersson is going to Palestine. But then a further meeting will be held. Until then the Left party has been urged to reconsider its position.

At the next meeting the Left party will confirm its position, according to Valtersson.

"We can not muck about for ever. But if the Left party does accept the rules, we will then have to see if they will hold."