Swedish Social Democratic leader tasked with forming post-election government

Swedish Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson was tasked Friday with exploring the formation of a new government following the country's Sept. 13 parliamentary election.

Parliament Speaker Andreas Norlen gave Andersson the first opportunity to seek a government that could secure sufficient support in parliament after holding individual talks with all party leaders, Swedish public broadcaster SVT reported Friday.

"All party leaders have pointed out that it is reasonable for Andersson to receive this probing assignment," Norlen said.

The process came after Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson submitted his resignation Thursday to the parliament speaker after preliminary election results showed the left-wing opposition bloc secured a majority in the parliament.

Andersson said she accepted the mandate with "great humility" and would approach the process constructively.

"I have emphasized to the speaker that I want to lead Sweden in a new spirit of cooperation and seek broad cooperation," she said.

Earlier Friday, Andersson said that she planned to hold talks with six other party leaders if she got the mandate.

There is no deadline yet for her to report the outcome of the talks. Sweden's newly elected parliament is due to convene on Sept. 28 and elect a new speaker, who will determine when Andersson must report back.

A prime ministerial candidate could be formally proposed to parliament on Sept. 29 at the earliest.