Sweden election: Social Democrats rule out far-right pact
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The leader of Sweden's Social Democrats says he will try to form a government after their election win, but will not work with the far right.
Results show Stefan Lofven's opposition party is set to return to power, but with no clear parliamentary majority.
They give the centre-left bloc 43.7%, ahead of 39.3% for Fredrik Reinfeldt's centre-right ruling coalition. The far-right Sweden Democrats were at 13%.
Mr Reinfeldt admitted defeat and later handed in his resignation letter.
He also confirmed that he would step down as leader of the conservative Moderate Party.
Earlier on Monday, Stefan Lofven spoke briefly to Swedish media as he left his home in central Stockholm.
"Now the work starts," he said. "We must have cooperation across bloc boundaries. Now begins the process of forging alliances between parties and not just within bloc boundaries. This is what we should do."
Mr Lofven added that he hoped to form a stable parliament, preferably with Alliance parties.
He has previously said that the Social Democrats regard the Green Party as "natural partners", but during his speech on Sunday night he said that "his hand was extended" to other democratic parties as well. ...
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