After Swedish Center and Liberal parties rejected a proposal by Moderate Party Leader Ulf Kristersson to form a government with support only by the Alliance parties, outgoing Prime Minister Stefan Löfven - who lost a confidence vote after the Sept. 9 election - has been tasked with forming a new government. Löfvén, like Kristersson before him, has two weeks for his investigation; after one week, he must update the speaker on his progress. Here's what's happening in Swedish politics: What happens now?

Kristersson was first pick
After a second round of talks with the eight party leaders, Speaker of Parliament Andreas Norlén held a press conference in the afternoon of Oct. 2 in which the Moderate party leader Ulf Kristersson was named as the first candidate to pursue the formation of a government. Kristersson later stated that everything will be tried in order to form a government: "All legal ways," he expressed during a televised press conference. He stressed it is his intention to form a government with the alliance parties.
Norlén explained his decision was based on last week’s vote in parliament, which showed a lack of confidence in Stefan Löfvén. This should “open an opportunity for the largest among the parties opposing the sitting prime minister to investigate alternatives,” he said. He also pointed out how it is a major responsibility for the alliance parties to rethink their positions.
"There have been too many nays, too many ultimatums and too many locked positions in this process. I, and I think the Swedish people, want to see more yays and more possibilities,” he said.
Kristersson has two weeks for his investigation; after one week, he must update the speaker on his progress.
"I do not want to be the first speaker who does not succeed in the election of a prime minister," Norlén continued. He did not mention demands for a new government to get its budget approved but pointed out it is of "great importance" that anyone who forms a government is taking this into consideration: "There is no point in being elected prime minister if you can not rule but I think this is a responsibility for the parties.”

Here's a look at what the coming weeks could bring What happens now?