KRISTERSSON RESIGNS AFTER LOSING ELECTIONS

STOCKHOLM, SEPTEMBER 17 /SRNA-Reuters/ - Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced his resignation, after the opposition won the country's parliamentary election.

"I'm asking to be relieved of my duties as a prime minister," Kristersson wrote in a letter addressed to the head of the parliament.

Centre-left opposition parties won 176 seats in Sunday's vote for parliament while Kristersson's ruling right-wing bloc secured 173 seats, the election authority said earlier as the counting of ballots ended.

The election result sets the stage for a change of government, with Social Democratic party leader Magdalena Andersson expected to make a comeback as prime minister after four years in opposition.