Sweden’s prime minister resigns after defeat by right-wing parties
Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson says she is resigning after conceding election defeat to a right-wing bloc.
The right-wing parties, including the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, are now confident of winning a narrow majority over the bloc with Andersson’s centre-right Social Democrats in Sunday’s parliamentary election.
Andersson told reporters in Stockholm on Wednesday that it is a slim majority, but it is a majority and therefore she is stepping down as prime minister.
The Social Democrats had been in power since 2014.
The right-wing parties’ victory marks a major political shift in Sweden.
Sweden has one of the most welcoming policy areas in Europe for immigrants and refugees from the Middle East, Africa and other parts of the world.
But the Sweden Democrats gained support by arguing that the growing number of immigrants threatens the country’s welfare system and public safety.
Sweden has applied for membership in NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Analysts say the election result could lead to a significant change in Sweden’s immigration policy, but it is unlikely to affect the country’s national security policy, including NATO’s bid.