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Swedish elections: PM resigns as right-wing bloc wins

Jimmie Akesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, has the role of kingmaker and has begun talks with the leaders of the other three parties of the right
Jimmie Akesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, has the role of kingmaker and has begun talks with the leaders of the other three parties of the right
MAJA SUSLIN/TT

Magdalena Andersson, the Swedish prime minister, resigned today and conceded defeat in last weekend’s election after it became clear that the right-wing bloc had won by a narrow margin of three parliamentary seats with almost all the votes counted.

The outcome was a historic political shift in the traditionally liberal nation amid a surge in support for the Sweden Democrats, a party with neo-Nazi roots. It emerged as the second biggest force in parliament, and the biggest in the right-wing bloc, ahead of the Moderate Party, which traditionally leads the conservative camp.

Jimmie Akesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, has the role of kingmaker and has begun talks with the leaders of the other three parties of the right.

Akesson celebrates with his girlfriend at the party’s election watch
Akesson celebrates with his girlfriend at the party’s election watch
STEFAN JERREVANG/EPA

He said his party would be