Sweden’s PM Kristersson resigns after left-wing wins slim majority in election

Magdalena Andersson’s left-wing bloc, splintered over ideological differences, faces laborious negotiations to form the new government

Sweden’s conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced his resignation on Thursday after the left-wing opposition won a slim majority in parliament in the country’s general election.

“It is now the speaker of parliament who will lead the next steps on the path towards forming a new government. In order for this work to begin immediately, I hereby request to be relieved of my duties as prime minister,” Kristersson said in a letter to the speaker which he posted to social media.

The four parties in the left-wing bloc, led by Magdalena Andersson’s Social Democrats, hold a three-seat majority in the 349-seat parliament over Kristersson’s right-wing alliance, which includes the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats.

But only around 50,000 votes separated the two sides in the country of 10.6 million people.