Ruling Party Swept Out in Swedish Vote

STOCKHOLM —  After a brief fling with conservative government, Swedes restored the Social Democrats to power in national elections Sunday, initial projections showed.

The Social Democratic leader, Ingvar Carlsson, 59, declared victory and called on Prime Minister Carl Bildt to resign. Minutes later, Bildt conceded defeat.

But unofficial results showed the Social Democrats, who built Sweden’s welfare state, would not win an outright majority in the 349-seat Parliament. That made a minority or coalition government likely.

Voters dismayed by rising inflation, 14% unemployment and an enormous public debt had been expected to oust Bildt’s center-right coalition after just three years in power.

The Social Democrats, who led Sweden during most of the past 60 years, focused their comeback campaign on limited welfare cuts, higher personal taxes and business development.