rki.news | Source Xinhua
STOCKHOLM, Sept. 17 — Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced his resignation Thursday after preliminary election results showed his right-wing bloc lost its parliamentary majority.
“The Speaker will now lead the next steps toward forming a new government. To allow that process to begin immediately, I hereby request to be relieved of my duties as prime minister,” Kristersson said in a statement posted on X.
Preliminary results from the Swedish Election Authority showed the centre-left opposition bloc secured a parliamentary majority, with all 6,626 electoral districts counted.
The four opposition parties received 49.6 percent of the vote and secured 176 seats in the 349-seat parliament, while Kristersson’s bloc won 48.8 percent and 173 seats.
The focus now shifts to whether the Social Democrats, Left Party, Green Party and Centre Party can agree on a governing arrangement. The Social Democrats remained the largest party, receiving 28 percent and 99 seats.
However, policy differences could complicate negotiations. Swedish Television commentator Mats Knutson cited taxation, sick-pay deductions and nuclear power as key areas of disagreement, while noting that compromises could be possible on other issues.
Swedish Prime Minister Resigns After Election Majority Loss
