A vote of no-confidence in Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, head of a minority government, failed on Tuesday, Jan 20, as widely expected, according to Reuters.

The Sweden Democrats tabled the vote after Lofven reached a deal in December with the center Alliance to exclude the anti-immigration party from influence in parliament.

At Tuesday's vote, only 45 of the parliament's 349 members supported the motion. Of the remainder of lawmakers, 133 voted to reject the proposal, 155 abstained and 16 were absent.

The Sweden Democrats have 49 seats.

Votes of non-confidence are very unusual in Swedish politics. Tuesday's was only the sixth ever and none have succeeded.