Speaker Norlén postpones decision on mandate to form Swedish government — The Local Sweden

In Sweden, parliament speaker Andreas Norlén has postponed a decision on who should receive the next mandate to attempt to form a government after the September 13 election. As The Local Sweden reports, he held talks with party leaders but decided to continue informal consultations. The speaker's office promised to provide further information on the process this week.

The left- and right-wing political blocs are having difficulty forming a parliamentary majority. Norlén may task Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who heads the caretaker government after the election defeat, with attempting to form a government, or turn again to Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson.

Language tests for citizenship

Sweden's Council for Higher Education, UHR, has proposed postponing the introduction of the second stage of language tests for citizenship until autumn 2029. This stage covers the assessment of reading and listening skills. The government had previously approved a deadline of October 1, 2027, but UHR said that conditions for conducting the tests by then do not exist.

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Stockholm University, which is responsible for developing the language tests, does not expect to have a fully developed and tested exam ready by that time. UHR considers it appropriate to administer the exams digitally. According to the council's assessment, oral and written tests may be introduced no earlier than 2030.

Economic forecast and verdict in collision case

The National Institute of Economic Research forecasts that Sweden's economy will grow by 3% this year and slow next year due to higher inflation and interest rates. The institute assumes that the Riksbank will raise its key rate four times, to 2.75%, by the end of 2028. Inflation measured by CPIF is forecast to average 2.6% in 2027.

The Gothenburg District Court found the Russian captain and Swedish pilot of the cargo vessel Misje Verde guilty on all counts in the case concerning a fatal collision near the island of Tjörn. A mother and child died when the cargo vessel collided with a pleasure boat. The captain received a suspended sentence, while the pilot received a suspended sentence and day fines. Both denied committing a crime.