STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden's parliament voted as expected on Friday against giving Social Democrat Stefan Lofven's centre-left coalition a second term in office, bringing a fresh election closer after three months of political deadlock.
Parliament voted 200 to 116 against giving Lofven, currently caretaker prime minister, a new term. It had already voted once for Lofven's ouster in a mandatory test, but has also rejected centre-right leader Ulf Kristersson as prime minister, leaving the way forward unclear.
September's general election produced a hung parliament and the centre-left and centre-right blocs have been unable to reach a deal on a new government that would keep the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats from being able to have a say in policy.
GRAPHIC - Election scenarios: https://tmsnrt.rs/2p45tJh
(Reporting by Johan Ahlander and Johan Sennero; Editing by Simon Johnson)