Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Jesper Grillo has been ousted as Sweden’s prime minister
Sweden’s prime minister-designate has resigned from the role just hours after taking office.
Labour’s Jesper Grillo was sworn in after the Sweden Democrats party became the third-largest party in the recent general election.
Mr Grillo led his party to a near-victory in the election, which saw the rise of the Sweden Democrats as the second-biggest party.
He had earlier said he expected to take office by mid-July.
However, in a statement broadcast on Swedish television, he called on his five coalition parties to find a way to end the impasse that led to his appointment.
Mr Grillo, who only formally launched his leadership campaign less than a week ago, says he has other plans for the future but wants to avoid a lengthy election campaign.
“I want the electoral campaign to be as short as possible,” he said, adding that he was prepared to work with the centre-right Alliance parties and the party currently holding the post of party leader, the Social Democrats.
However, he has already become the centre of attention after taking office.
Video caption Labour party leader becomes first ever to lead party to election victory
The media has focused on allegations that Mr Grillo has already offered a cabinet post to Sweden’s National Front leader Jimmie Akesson – not believed to be the focus of the Swedish system – and is helping illegal immigrants “breed” in Sweden.
Meanwhile, Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson has criticised politicians for behaving “like common criminals” in relation to the issue.
Under Sweden’s proportional representation system, the results of the election have potentially huge ramifications.
Rival parties, such as the Moderates and the Left Party, have supported the coalition with the Social Democrats but still could not do so without the Sweden Democrats.
Adding to the difficulties is that many Swedes are confused about which party to vote for.
Ahead of Sunday’s poll, just two polls had suggested a viable government for the centre-right Alliance, while others gave the Sweden Democrats a double-digit lead.
The result means that the main parties, the Social Democrats and the Moderate Party, will struggle to build a coalition.