A new Riksdag year has commenced, marking the beginning of a new working year for the Swedish government and its cooperation partner, the Sweden Democrats. The Prime Minister’s government declaration outlines the priorities for the coming years.
One of the main focuses of the government is to prioritize welfare in the autumn budget. The government plans to allocate resources to assist municipalities and regions in navigating the challenging economic situation in Sweden.
Additionally, the government plans to review the high-cost coverage for dental care, as promised in the Tidö agreement. The Prime Minister has announced an investigation to strengthen dental care’s high-cost protection, particularly for older people with poor oral health.
The government’s previous declaration set forth four demanding tasks for the government: addressing serious gang crime, managing a recession with high inflation, resolving the energy crisis, and leading Sweden into NATO. However, work remains to be done in all of these areas.
Gang violence continues to be a concerning issue, with reports of shootings and explosions appearing regularly. Prime Minister Kristersson attributes this rise in violence to a combination of large-scale immigration, failed integration, and the state’s delayed intervention. To combat gang crime, the Prime Minister emphasizes the need for both repressive and preventive measures.
Regarding foreign policy, the Prime Minister pledges continued support for Ukraine’s defense and sovereignty. He sees this as the primary foreign policy task in the coming years. While no specific date is provided, the Prime Minister recalls President Erdogan’s promises at the NATO summit and foresees Sweden becoming a NATO member.
The Prime Minister also addresses recent incidents such as Koran burnings and disinformation campaigns. He emphasizes Sweden’s commitment to freedom of expression while ensuring the security of Swedish citizens and interests.
Furthermore, the government acknowledges the need to expedite the pace of reforms and investigations. To achieve this, a special investigation office will be established within the Cabinet Committee. Experienced investigators will be tasked with speeding up the investigation process, with the aim of halving the investigation time.
The government declaration also includes various announced investigations and commissions, such as a new AI commission, an inquiry into renting prison places abroad, a review of the surplus target, and a forest investigation.
Overall, the government aims to address key issues and implement reforms efficiently and effectively. However, there is a growing impatience among voters, who desire faster progress and increased trust in the state’s ability to take action.