Stefan Löfven, head of the union IF Metall, is the new party leader of the Social Democrats. The party's executive committee confirmed the news at a press conference in Stockholm this afternoon.
Party secretary Carin Jämtin announced that Stefan Löfven is the executive committee's proposed new party leader. She praised Löfven's "leadership abilities and large, social democratic heart".
The final decision will be made on Saturday, but it is practically decided that Löfven will be the next party leader, as he is backed by all members in the executive committee.
Stefan Löfven said he is proud and pleased to have been chosen. He said:
"When I look out over Sweden today I see that Sweden needs strong social democratic policies."
"We have the solutions, the policies. We want to set free the power within all people to strengthen their freedom and equality. We should create our society together. We have to continue the work to build an even stronger party, we have to become more than the over 100,000 members we have today."
