Swedish election to set a new government

Fredrik Reinfeldt of the "new" Conservative Party in Sweden was set to take over as prime minister Monday after Persson conceded defeat in Sunday's election and said he would resign as head of Sweden’s Social Democrats.
Reinfeldt will head a coalition of four center-right parties after the Social Democrats experienced their worst election in decades.

"I look forward to cooperate with a new Swedish government and a new Swedish prime minister," said Stoltenberg, who's in New York this week in connection with the opening of the United Nations General Assembly.
"Norway and Sweden have always had close relations, and I'm sure we'll have them with the new government," Stoltenberg told news bureau NTB.

In at least one area, Stoltenberg may find it easier to deal with Reinfeldt than it was with Persson: Barents Sea oil exploration. Persson opposed drilling for oil and gas in the environmentally sensitive Arctic area, while Stoltenberg supports it as long as environmental precautions are taken.
Stoltenberg said he thinks Persson can be proud of his accomplishments over the past 10 years as premier. Persson has said he looks forward to retire to a farm in Sweden.