Swedish PM Lofven to resign following no-confidence motion

Copenhagen, Jun 28 (EFE).- Sweden’s prime minister Stefan Lofven on Monday handed in his notice of resignation a week after losing a no-confidence vote.

Lofven, leader of the Social Democratic Party, became the first head of government to be removed from office in a no-confidence motion after the Left Party withdrew its support for his minority coalition due to a disagreement on rent controls.

He had until today to either call snap elections or hand in his resignation, giving the task of forming a new government to the parliamentary speaker.

“With one year to go until elections, and in the midst of a pandemic, snap elections are not the best thing for Sweden,” he said. “I have requested my resignation as prime minister.”

He has led a minority coalition with the Greens since the inconclusive general election of 2018.  EFE

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