Swedish parliament rejects Stefan Lofven as new PM

By Atila Altuntas

STOCKHOLM

The Swedish parliament rejected a second term as prime minister to Stefan Lofven three months after parliamentary elections were held in the country.

Lawmakers voted 200 to 116 against him in the fourth attempt of forming a government.

The leader of the center-left Social Democrats is caught in the midst of rising anti-immigration sentiment in the country, observers say.

Last month, Ulf Kristersson, leader of the Swedish Moderate Party also failed to form a government.

Sweden is among the growing list of European countries which is facing such a political conundrum.

It took Germany more than four months to form a government following elections earlier this year.