A Swedish government negotiation usually takes one to two weeks.
A period of time that has been increasingly stretched during the recent government formations.
- It's not like it was once upon a time - a huge social democratic bloc and then a bourgeois bloc.
They may not have always held together very well, but they still managed to shape themselves, says Jonas Hinnfors, professor of political science at the University of Gothenburg.
But we can actually interpret the silence from the politicians as a good sign, says Jonas Hinnfors.
This means that serious negotiations are now likely to take place, he believes, and points out, among other things, aid and grant levels as likely issues of contention.
- If it's dead quiet, you have something to negotiate on.
That everyone agrees to continue, says Jonas Hinnfors.
Leaks signs of strained talks
But sometimes it still happens that information leaks out through the otherwise tightly closed doors.
This week, for example, there was information that the Sweden Democrats do not want to let the Liberals into the government, according to sources for Ekot.
When leaks occur during government negotiations, it is often a sign that the talks are stalling, according to Jonas Hinnfors.
It is simply used as a bargaining chip.
- Then you release various things to start a debate internally in the parties or to put pressure on the others, says Jonas Hinnfors.
What are the possible issues of contention in the government negotiations? Hear Jonas Hinnfors explain in the video above.