The Social Democrats, who have ruled Sweden for most of the 20th century, will stay on only until a new government can be formed to step in following Prime Minister Ingvar Carlsson's resignation.
View Comments
In tense debate before the vote Thursday, Carlsson told Parliament his government would resign if the package of wage, price and rent freezes was rejected and warned Sweden's deepening economic crisis would be made worse by a political upheaval.The 190-153 vote against the program was split along party lines, with all 153 pro-package votes cast by Social Democrats and the full opposition of 190 conservatives, liberals and communists voting down the package.