Swedish minister resigns after being caught drink driving

Sweden's government minister Aida Hadzialic announced resignation on Saturday after being caught driving above permitted alcohol limit.

Hadzialic, 29, is minister for upper secondary school ,adult education and training. She was caught by police Thursday night when she was detected a blood-alcohol level of 0.2 grams per liter, which is just above the legal limit in Sweden. Local media reported she would likely face a fine and a driving ban.

At a press conference on Saturday, Hadzialic said the incident was her "life's biggest mistake".

She said: "I understand that many people are disappointed with me and I am angry with myself and above all I am deeply regretful."

Hadzialic explained that she had been to a concert in Copenhagen on Thursday night with a female friend and drank two glasses of wine early in the evening before setting off to cross the Oresund bridge over to Malmo, southern Sweden, four hours later. She apparently believed the alcohol would have left her system by then.

However, the Social Democrat minister was then stopped at random in a police alcohol control on the Swedish side of the border.

Speaking to local media, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said he had a long conversation with Hadzialic before she announced her resignation on Saturday.

"Aida Hadzialic has thought this through carefully. She has spoken with people around her and her colleagues. I also had a long discussion with her last night in order really to go through the situation. This is her conclusion and I share it," said Lofven.

Speaking to the Expressen newspaper, Lofven also praised Hadzialic as an "appreciated colleague and a successful cabinet minister". He said she is a skilled politician who has done an "excellent work" as a government minister. Endit