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SWEDEN-VOTE-PM
Sweden PM, lacking election majority, invites opposition to talks
STOCKHOLM, Sept 10, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Swedish Social Democratic Prime
Minister Stefan Lofven invited the opposition to talks after both the left-
wing and centre-right blocs failed to obtain a majority as the far-right made
gains in Sunday’s legislative elections.
“It is clear that no one has received a majority, so it’s natural to have a
cross-bloc cooperation,” Lofven told supporters, after his bloc appeared to
hold a one-seat lead over the centre-right opposition with votes in 99.8
percent of districts counted.
“The voters have made their choice, now it’s up to all of us decent parties
to wait for the final result and then negotiate (and) cooperate to move
Sweden forward in a responsible way,” he added.
Defying calls by several leaders in the centre-right four-party Alliance,
Lofven said he would “work calmly as prime minister with respect to the
voters and Sweden’s electoral system” for two more weeks until the new
parliament opens.
The far-right Sweden Democrats, who have capitalised on voters’ frustration
over immigration after the country welcomed almost 400,000 asylum seekers
since 2012, were seen making steady gains, rising from 12.9 percent in 2014
to 17.6 percent.
“I’m of course disappointed that a party (the Sweden Democrats) with roots
in Nazism can win so much ground in our time,” Lofven said.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0905 hrs