Sweden’s prime minister steps down as left-wing opposition clinches narrow election victory

STOCKHOLM — Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson submitted a letter of resignation to the speaker of parliament on Thursdayfollowing the announcement of a final vote count for Sunday’s election.

A group of centre-left opposition parties ⁠headed by the Social Democrats under Magdalena Andersson won 176 seats in Sunday’s vote for parliament. Kristersson’s incumbent right-wing bloc secured 173 seats, the election authority said.

Andersson, who became Sweden‘s first woman prime minister in 2021, said the country would take a new direction after ⁠four years during which the government has driven ​a ⁠hard line on immigration and crime.

“In recent times there are those who have not felt welcome in our country,” she said in a ⁠speech carried on the X platform. “To you, I want to say this: ​This ⁠is a new era now. ‌That is what the Swedish people have voted for.”

It may, however, take some time to form a government.

Of Andersson’s potential backers, ‌the Centre Party says it will not join ‌a coalition that includes the Left Party. The Green Party is also a potential member of a left-of-centre government.

The daily Dagens Nyheter reported that the Social Democrats had invited other opposition parties for talks, ⁠but…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world