• Swedish Social Democrat leader Juholt walks out
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A union boss is likely to take over Sweden’s main opposition Social Democratic Party after the previous leader stepped down following a string of gaffes and waffling on key policy issues.

55-year-old Stefan Löfven, who has never before held elected political office, said he was ready to take the Social Democrats forward.

“When I look out at Sweden today I see that we need significantly more social democratic policies,” he told reporters, according to the TT newswire.

“I'm very proud and happy to be the executive committee's candidate for the job of party chair. For me, it's also important that our party continue working together.”

Stefan Löfven has led the powerful IF Metall union since 2005.

The Social Democrats have been in office for 66 of the past 80 years. They introduced the country’s famous cradle-to-grave welfare system, funded by high taxes. But since losing power to Fredrik Reinfeldt’s centre-right coalition in 2006, the party has lost ground.

Some think it may never recover.