21 Sep 2010

Anti-immigration party gains seats in Sweden

5:37 pm on 21 September 2010

A right-wing party in Sweden has made its entry to parliament, denying an overall majority for the governing centre-right coalition led by Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.

The Sweden Democrats, who campaigned against immigration in the general election, won 5.7% of the vote and 20 of the 349 seats.

A BBC correspondent says the party appears to have tapped into voter dissatisfaction over immigration.

Immigrants make up 14% of the country's population of 9.4 million.

The ruling alliance has 172 seats, not enough for victory. Mr Reinfeldt could remain in office with a minority government.