Swedish opposition leader tasked with forming new government

Moderate Ulf Kristersson given three days to gain support before vote in parliament

Sweden's speaker of parliament has asked Ulf Kristersson, the leader of the rightwing opposition's largest party, to see whether he could rally the votes to succeed the ousted prime minister, Stefan Lofven.

Lofven announced on Monday he would resign rather than call a snap election after losing a confidence vote last week, leaving it up to the speaker to begin the search for his replacement.