Lofven being pitched as PM candidate after months of deadlock in Sweden

Swedish Centre Party leaders will recommend its executive body back a draft policy agreement with the centre-left that would see Social Democrat caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Lofven secure a second term, Centre leader Annie Loof said on Friday. "We will recommend that the party committee allow Stefan Lofven to be elected prime minister in next week's (parliamentary) vote," Loof told a news conference.

The two main candidates for the premiership - Lofven and centre-right Moderates leader Ulf Kristersson - have spent months seeking the backing of Loof's party, which they need to break the deadlock created by September's inconclusive election.