Swedish PM Stefan Löfven resigns after losing confidence vote

Lofven urges Sweden's parliament to try to form new government instead of holding early general election

Sweden's prime minister Stefan Lofven has stepped down a week after losing a no confidence vote, deciding to ask the speaker of the country's deadlocked parliament to find a new government rather than call a snap election.

I have requested the speaker to relieve me as prime minister," Lofven said on Monday. It is the most difficult political decision I have ever taken." He added that he would stay on in a caretaker capacity because a snap election in mid-pandemic was not what is best for Sweden".