Åkesson waits for party invites to cooperate

One day after its history entry into parliament, the Sweden Democrats now await an invitation to join a coalition with the other parties. However, so far no parties have contacted leader Jimmie Åkesson.

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After winning 5.7 percent of support, the Sweden Democrats gained more support than both the Left Party and the Christian Democrats, both at 5.6 percent.

Åkesson appeared on Sveriges Radio just before 7 a.m. on Monday morning, telling news agency TT that he has not made contact with any of the other parties since it became clear that his party would enter parliament.

He had hoped to hear from the other parties through the night.

"No, not to me personally," he told TT in terms of whether any parties had sought contact with him.

Åkesson would not reveal what strategy the party has for making contact with the other parties.

"We have talked very little through the night and we are acting accordingly," he said.

"However, we will keep to ourselves until further notice."

Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has not made any statements Monday morning. According to him, there was no doubt as to which strategy the Alliance parties would pursue in terms of dealing with the Sweden Democrats.

"I have been clear about how we will handle this uncertain situation. We will not cooperate with or make ourselves dependent on the Sweden Democrat," he said late Sunday night.

He added that contact would be made with the Green Party and he was hoping for a positive response.

Even if Reinfeldt offers the Green Party ministerial posts, spokespeople Peter Eriksson and Maria Wetterstrand do not envision any collaboration in front of them.

"Would I make myself minister for the environment and administer the construction of 10 new nuclear power stations? No thanks," said Wetterstrand.

However, political scientist Li Bennich-Björkman believes that the party could take the opportunity to cooperate with the Alliance. She is not impressed by Wetterstrand's denials.

"They have said that they do not want to be a support party, but if they were offered a government post, that is something else, then they would not be a support party," said Bennich-Björkman.

"They would isolate or deprive the Sweden Democrats of the kingmaker role. It could be a cause worth considering."

The Social Democrats posted their worst election result in recent memory, with a preliminary 30.9 percent of support, creating doubts about the future of Red-Green cooperation.

"I have no plans to resign," said leader Mona Sahlin, when was asked the question on television on Sunday.

The following are the results of the parliamentary election with all districts reporting and the change in support in percentage points from the previous election:

Social Democrats: 30.9 percent (-4.2)
Moderates: 30 percent (+3.9)
Greens: 7.2 percent (+2)
Liberals: 7.1 percent (-0.4)
Centre: 6.6 percent (-1.3)
Sweden Democrats: 5.7 percent (+2.8)
Christian Democrats: 5.6 percent (-1)
Left: 5.6 percent (-0.3)