Swedish PM wins support in Parliament to form new Govt

Copenhagen: Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven narrowly won support from lawmakers Wednesday to form a new government after leading the country in a caretaking capacity since late last month.

Lofven received 116 votes in the 349-seat Riksdagen in favour of giving him the mandate, with 60 abstentions. In Sweden, prime ministers can govern as long as there is no parliamentary



majority — a minimum 175 votes — against them. A total 173 votes were cast against Lofven Wednesday.

Lawmakers from the Center Party and the Left Party abstained from voting, paving the way for his victory, while Lofven’s Social Democratic Party, the Greens and one independent lawmaker voted for him.