Swedish PM Lofven resigns after no-confidence vote | Inquirer News

Swedish PM Lofven resigns after no-confidence vote

/ 05:47 PM June 28, 2021

stefan lofven sweden

Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Lofven holds a news conference at Rosenbad in Stockholm, Sweden June 28, 2021. REUTERS

STOCKHOLM — Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said on Monday he was resigning, handing the speaker of parliament the job of finding a new premier after the Social Democrat leader lost a vote of no-confidence last week.

Lofven had been given a deadline of midnight on Monday to either step down or call a snap election after losing the June 21 confidence vote when the Left Party withdrew its support. He had hoped to find fresh backing in parliament to secure his reappointment.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I have requested to be dismissed as prime minister,” Lofven told a hastily called news conference. “It is the most difficult political decision I have ever taken.”

FEATURED STORIES

Speaker Andreas Norlen will now have up to four attempts to find a new prime minister with enough backing from lawmakers. If he fails, a snap election must be called, little more than a year ahead of scheduled polls in September 2022.

Those must go ahead anyway, meaning any new administration would be a short one.

Article continues after this advertisement

Lofven said on Monday he hoped new polls could be avoided, adding: “With one year left until the election, and an ongoing pandemic, a snap election is not the best thing for Sweden.”

Article continues after this advertisement

The former union boss and welder had headed a fragile minority coalition with the Greens since 2018, relying on support from two small center-right parties and the Left Party to remain in power.

Article continues after this advertisement

The center-left and center-right blocs are now evenly balanced in parliament and opinion polls suggest a general election might not change the picture.

Last week’s confidence vote had triggered frenzied talks across the political spectrum as both blocs tried to line up enough support to form a government.

Article continues after this advertisement

It took Lofven four months to form a government after 2018’s inconclusive election.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Politics, Stefan Lofven, Sweden

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.