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A populist party has won nearly 20% of the vote in Swedish parliamentary elections. Pictured: Jimmie Åkesson, head of the Sweden Democrats party, speaks during an event on 1 September 2018. Photo credit: Jimmie Åkesson on Facebook 

Anti-immigration party scores well in Swedish poll

The nationalist party Sweden Democrats has won about 18% of the vote in Swedish general elections, reported the BBC, DW, Independent and Washington Post. The centre-left and centre-right blocs both received about 40% each. SD got 13% of the vote in 2014, but this year had been polling as high as 25%. SD’s leader, Jimmie Akesson, said the result gives his party “huge influence” over Swedish politics and that he was prepared to engage with other parties. Sweden’s main parties have so far refused to work with the SD, setting the stage for protracted coalition talks.

Pension reform protests across Russia

Russians rallied in more than 80 towns against a plan to raise the retirement age, reported the Guardian, RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty and Reuters. Russian police reportedly detained more than 800 people. Under the reform, the pension age will increase from 60 to 65 for men and from 55 to 60 for women.

3% EU digital tax still open question

European leaders debated a proposed EU-wide tax on the turnover of large (mainly US) digital firms on Saturday, reported the AFP. Ireland and Luxembourg are opposed. France, which introduced the plan, added a “sunset clause” to make the plan more palatable, said the Irish Times. The French finance minister told CNBC the tax was not an attack against the US. Germany called for more time to study the issue, reported RTE.

Alibaba succession plan unveiled

Jack Ma, founder of the e-commerce giant Alibaba, said that Daniel Zhang would replace him as chairman next year, reported the Financial Times, Variety and Wall Street Journal. Ma, a former English teacher, started firm in 1999 and it now has a market cap of $421bn. Zhang is currently Alibaba’s CEO.

Moonves leaves CBS after harassment claims

Leslie Moonves, head of the US media giant CBS, has resigned following allegations of sexual misconduct, reported the BBC, Financial Times and People. Moonves has denied the accusations, which were first reported by The New Yorker, calling them “appalling”. He will reportedly receive a $100m exit package, with $20m of that donated to women’s rights groups.

No under-18s allowed on cruise line

Viking Cruises said it would no longer allow children on its cruises, as reported by Newser. Most of its passengers are 50 and older, according to the company, and many of them asked for a kid-free environment.

Last chance for Delano Live passes

There is still time (until 12noon today) to win free tickets to the Delano Live event on regtech, which takes place tomorrow evening. Enter here.

Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Aaron Grunwald.