Swedish PM Stefan Löfven to Step down in November

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announced on Sunday that he will step down as party leader this autumn.

The announcement comes a year ahead of Sweden’s next election.

Former trade union chief Löfven took the reins of the Social Democrats in 2012 and led his party to two successful elections in 2014 and 2018. Nevertheless, a new leader will take over ahead of the 2022 election.

Löfven said in a speech he will step down at the party’s congress in November.

Earlier this summer, he announced his resignation at his annual summer speech, held in Åkersberga near Stockholm.

“The decision has matured over time. I have been party chairman for ten years, prime minister for seven," he said.

"These years have been amazing. But everything comes to an end. I want to give my successor the best of conditions,” the prime minister added.