Prime minister and party leader of the Social Democrat party Stefan Lofven waves at an election party in Stockholm, Sweden, Sept 9, 2018. (JONAS EKSTROMER / AP)
STOCKHOLM – Just over a week after his resignation as Sweden's prime minister following a vote of no confidence in Parliament (Riksdagen) in June, Stefan Lofven was reinstated on Wednesday.
The leader of the Social Democrats, who had headed a caretaker government since his resignation, got back his old post with 116 supporting votes in the 349-seat Riksdagen.
Former Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, who had headed a caretaker government since his resignation, got back his old post with 116 supporting votes in the 349-seat Riksdagen
According to the Swedish constitution, a qualified majority is not required as long as a majority – a minimum 175 deputies — does not vote against the proposed prime minister. A total of 173 votes were cast against Lofven.
Lofven will now form a new government together with the Green Party that for the last seven years has shared power with the Social Democrats.
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Ahead of the voting procedure, Ebba Busch, leader of the opposition Christian Democrats, described yet another such government as a "ticking bomb" as it would have difficulties pushing through a budget.
Lofven has also previously announced he would resign again should he be reinstated and the proposed budget be voted down.
Should this happen, Sweden's voters would again face the possibility of a snap election less than a year before the scheduled elections in September 2022.
READ MORE: Swedish PM Lofven resigns in wake of no-confidence vote
