Swedish premier to step down in November

By Atilla Altuntas

STOCKHOLM (AA) - Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven announced on Sunday that he will step down as party leader and prime minister in November.

In a speech, he said that "everything has an end" and he wants to give his successor the "very best" conditions to prepare for the September 2022 general election.

Lofven, 64, has served as the head of Swedish Social Democrat Party for almost 10 years, and as prime minister since 2014.

The former trade union head took the reins of the party in 2012, and led his party to two successful elections in 2014 and 2018.

In July, he won a vote in parliament to be reappointed as prime minister, weeks after he was forced to resign following a no-confidence vote.