Stefan Lofven voted new Swedish prime minister

Stefan Lofven, head of the Social Democratic Party, was Thursday voted by parliament to be the new Swedish prime minister.

Lofven got 132 "yes" votes in the 349-seat Parliament, with 49 "no" votes, 154 abstentions while 14 other members were absent, Xinhua reported citing Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter.

The 154 abstentions came from the centre-right Alliance parties, the Moderates, the Christian Democrats, the Liberals and the Centre Party.

"It feels great and solemn, I take this with great respect, of course," said Lofven.

The new prime minister will deliver a statement on government policy Friday.