Sweden, along with the rest of the EU, is going through a difficult economic time with high inflation and difficult economic priorities, which in turn puts pressure on people’s everyday lives. In that situation, it can be easy to fall for the lure of raising taxes and borrowing money for promises and economically unprofitable projects. But in reality it would lead to higher inflation and major cuts across the board. A cat and mouse game with inflation only means that everyone loses. Those who have it worst will be hit the hardest.
Despite the current economic crisis, EU membership has meant that Sweden’s prosperity has increased over the past thirty years by Swedish companies gaining access to the EU’s internal market, which is the world’s largest integrated economy with more than 500 million consumers.
Half of Sweden’s wealth is created through exports, with roughly two-thirds going to EU countries. Research shows that the mobility of labor between member states has had significant positive effects on growth in both receiving member states and in the countries of origin. Free movement promotes growth and improves the conditions for the EU to reverse the economic crisis.
We cannot trust in ancient great days
In the European Parliament, the Moderates, through our four parliamentarians, have managed to get a majority for the EU to draw up a regulatory simplification package that reduces bureaucracy by at least 30 percent for small businesses. Also, has been a driving force for more free trade agreements and for it to be easier to share health data. The latter means that patients receive care on time and that companies can develop new healthcare and pharmaceutical products that save lives and develop care in Sweden.
But there is more to do. We cannot trust in ancient great days. Otherwise, Sweden and the EU risk turning into a museum. I am convinced that we can leave the toughest economic times of our time behind us. It requires us to bring down inflation through tough priorities and restore the line of work in the EU.
Sweden must be a clear voice for being boring in economic policy. The large national debts show that you cannot spend your way out of a bad financial situation. Order and order in public finances is not a meaningless culture war, but crucial for investors’ and consumers’ confidence and faith in the future.
Establish the line of work in Brussels
But reforms at Member State level alone are not enough. The line of work must be re-established in the corridors of Brussels and Strasbourg. The EU budget must be future-oriented, not aimed at preserving the past. The share of agricultural and regional aid must be reduced in favor of a growth-oriented budget used to promote the EU’s competitiveness.
Magdalena Andersson has spoken badly about tax competition between the member states and within S there are those who are more than happy to give the EU taxing rights. It’s completely the wrong way to go. Competition between our countries is important to ensure that Europe and Sweden maintain international competitiveness. I think that Sweden with moderate force should start an EM in tax reductions to improve the business climate. A first step for Sweden would be to bring more countries together to drastically lower corporate taxes in all member states in the long term.
Let’s write the next chapter in the history that is the EU. Dare to take important steps to improve prosperity to secure people’s everyday lives.