Swedish premier resigns after no-confidence vote

On June 21, Stefan Lofven becomes 1st Swedish premier to lose a vote of confidence

By Atila Altuntas

STOCKHOLM (AA) - Swedish center-left Prime Minister Stefan Lofven on Monday announced his resignation after he lost a vote of no-confidence last week.

At a news conference, Lofven said that he would like to form a new government if the speaker of the parliament appoints him.

He said calling early elections is not a “good option” due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding he is a candidate to form the government again.

Lofven, who had been in power since 2014, became the first Swedish premier to lose a vote of confidence on June 21 over planned reforms to ease rent controls on new apartments.

The no-confidence motion submitted by the right-wing Sweden Democrats Party was passed as 181 parliamentarians voted in favor and 109 against. Some 51 members of the parliament abstained from voting and eight others were absent.

After Lofven's resignation, Parliament Speaker Andreas Norlen is expected to meet with political parties next week for the task to form a new government.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar

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