Löfven came out with his surprising message at the end of his summer speech in Åkersberga on Sunday. After talking about subjects including welfare, the climate and gang crime he dropped his political bombshell.

– In next year's election campaign the Social Democrats will be led by someone other than me, said Löfven.

He said that earlier he had been fully prepared to carry on for one more four-year term of office..

– But over a period of time my decision has matured, said Löfven.

He has been party leader for ten years and prime minister for seven.

A new party leader will be elected at the party congress 3-7 November in Göteborg, after which the person in question must be approved by parliament as prime minister to succeed Löfven.

At the press meeting which followed his summer speech Löfven said :

– I will lead the country until a new prime minister has been elected, and always, always with what is best for the country as my guiding light.

Answering the question what it feels like to make his intention to resign public, Löfven answers:

– It isn't easy, but it's the right thing to do. The most important thing is what is best for the party and for the country.

During the government crisis in the summer Löfven threatened to resign if his budget in the autumn was not voted through. The government must have the support of both Centerpartiet and Vänsterpartiet to have his budget approved.

Now Löfven is to resign – before parliament votes on the budget.