Sweden votes for parliamentary election

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven’s Social Democrats remained the biggest party in Sunday’s general election, as the anti-immigrant far right made gains and vowed to exert “real influence” in politics.

With ballots in more than 95 percent of districts counted, the Social Democrats were on course to win 28.3 percent of the votes, down from 31 percent in the 2014 elections.

The Sweden Democrats remain the third-biggest party — failing to overtake the Moderates who were credited with 19.8 percent of the vote.

Meanwhile, Swedish Social Democratic Prime Minister Stefan Lofven invited the opposition to talks after both the left-wing and center-right blocs failed to obtain a majority.

Defying calls by several leaders in the center-right four-party Alliance, Lofven said he would “work calmly as prime minister with respect to the voters and Sweden’s electoral system” for two more weeks until the new parliament opens.