Sweden’s PM quits but urges parliament to avoid early election

He did not call for an early election as the Swedish Constitution allows him to.

Sweden’s prime minister Stefan Lofven Picture: Stina Stjernkvist/AP

Swedish prime minister Stefan Lofven is resigning after losing a confidence vote last week and he called on the country’s parliament to try to form a new government instead of holding an early election.

Mr Lofven, who has been premier since 2014 and heads the Social Democratic Party, became the first Swedish leader ever to lose a confidence vote in parliament.