A PM has to be acceptable to the parliament, and he is unless a majority opposes. We had a government - the Ullsten cabinet in 1979 - that had just 39 votes in favor and 66 opposed (215 abstaining).

Of course it is the fact that he would be elected even if they abstain that allows them to abstain. It is also the mutual anti-pathy between the Center and the Left that by and large makes it necessary for them both to abstain.

By now, lots of people have gone on vacation, so though this is the main news, I don't know how many actually pays any attention. In that way, one can see the abstianing votes as a way to keep their own options regarding narrative open.

What hasn't really been settled is the politics. The issue of market rents is dead, but a lot of issues remains. And there is a budget to pass in the fall and lots of disagreements. So we might have a new political crisis around Christmas.