Swedish PM Lofven resigns in the wake of no-confidence vote

Lofven tasks parliamentary speaker with finding a new premier after a historic defeat a week ago over housing market plans.

Sweden’s Social Democrat prime minister has resigned after seven years in power, having lost a vote of confidence last week over a controversial plan to ease rent controls for new-build apartments. Stefan Lofven’s resignation on Monday means the parliament speaker is now tasked with finding a new premier. Lofven on June 21 became the first Swedish leader ever to lose a confidence vote in parliament after the Left Party withdrew its support for his centre-left government over its housing market plans.