Ulf Kristersson elected Sweden's new Prime Minister

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Sweden's parliament on 17 October elected Ulf Kristersson, 59, leader of the Conservative Moderate Party, as the new Prime Minister.

Important facts

• He will head a coalition that is also backed by a once radical right-wing party.

• His government is expected to assume office on October 18.

• His alliance consists of three parties. Although the coalition does not have a majority, in Sweden, the prime minister can rule as long as there is no majority against him in parliament.

• His party emerged as the major winner in Sweden's 11 September general election, with a record 20.5 percent of the vote, behind outgoing Prime Minister Magdalena Andersen's Social Democrats.

• The Social Democrats have dominated Swedish politics since the 1930s.

• The new government plans to cut taxes, start the process of building new nuclear power plants, tighten immigration rules and give more police powers as part of a policy deal with the Sweden Democrats.

About Sweden

• It is located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in northern Europe. 

• The ancient name of the country was Svitiod.

• Prime Minister - Ulf Kristersson

• Capital - Stockholm

• Currency - Swedish krona

• King - Carl XVI Gustaf