Thousands protest in Stockholm against racist party in parliament

Thousands of people gathered in a central Stockholm square Monday evening to protest against a far-right party that has been voted into parliament, waving banners and shouting "No to racism!"

"It is very important to show that the big majority of the Swedish population is against the right-wing extremists like the Sweden Democrats," Per Branevig, 33, told AFP, adding that he had voted for the Social Democrats in Sunday's election, National Post  reports.

Despite failing to secure a majority, the prime minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, is likely to become the first center-right leader to win two consecutive terms.

He pleaded Monday for time to let the election result "sink in" and promised to have a government, which could well be a minority one, in place by Oct. 4. He appeared to be courting the Greens, who campaigned against him, and their initial response proved negative, New York Times says.