Politics - DailySweden

SUNDAY 4 OCTOBER· STOCKHOLM · THE DAY IN 5 STORIES

News

Sweden Democrats seek fuel-tax extension as relief expires

2 min read

Jimmie Åkesson speaking at Långholmen in Stockholm in May 2024.

Essential Politics

Nooshi Dadgostar speaking at a lectern during Almedalen in June 2026.

News

Left Party seeks immediate halt to young-adult deportations

Johan Forssell at a press-conference microphone in Brussels in June 2023.

News

New asylum rules bring county limits and attendance checks

Green Party co-leader Amanda Lind applauds at the party's Almedalen event in June 2019.

News

Greens push for a red-green majority government

Latest in Politics

Ebba Busch speaking at Almedalen in June 2026.

News

Busch demands a vote on Andersson as prime minister

Ulf Kristersson speaking at a lectern in Berlin in January 2025.

News

Centre Party wants Kristersson to try forming a government

Annika Hirvonen in her official parliamentary portrait.

News

Greens push to halt deportations of young people raised in Sweden

Andreas Norlén speaks at a Riksdag presentation during Almedalen in June 2023.

News

Speaker sets new government talks for Wednesday

Nooshi Dadgostar speaks at the Left Party lectern during Almedalen in June 2026.

News

Left Party reaches out to Centre as government talks stall

Nooshi Dadgostar in a cream coat outside the Riksdag in July 2021.

News

Sweden’s sick-pay fight puts household income on the negotiating table

Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson during a visit to Helsinki in March 2022.

News

Sweden’s government talks stall as work-permit deadlines approach

Magdalena Andersson speaks at a Social Democratic lectern during Almedalen Week in June 2025.

News

Andersson abandons first bid to form Sweden’s government

Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist campaigning in Malmo on 28 August 2026.

News

Business leaders press Centre Party over taxes and sick pay

A PostNord delivery vehicle parked in Huddinge in June 2022, with mail visible inside.

News

PostNord called to meeting over election delivery failures

Andreas Norlén speaking beside a Riksdag presentation at Almedalen in June 2023.

News

Left Party backs Norlén for another term as Speaker

Mohamed Abdukardir Ali wearing a suit against a green background.

News

Mohamed Ali denies vote rigging: “I haven’t done it”

Stefan Löfven in a dark suit and red tie.

News

Former Swedish PM Löfven reportedly receives death threats in Varberg

Separate party ballot papers in racks at a polling station in Brastad during the June 2024 European election.

News

Swedish parties hesitate over a common ballot paper

A man holds a pen near his mouth at an office desk covered in papers, beside a laptop.

News

Record election appeals force Sweden’s review board to add staff

Magdalena Andersson speaking at Almedalen in June 2025, beside a sign-language interpreter.

News

Government deadlock puts Sweden’s budget timetable at risk

Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar speaks at Almedalen Week in June 2026.

News

Left and Green parties want abortion law to name all pregnant people

A voting official places a municipal ballot envelope into a sealed box in Brastad.

News

Liberal breakaway parties win seats in two municipalities

Magdalena Andersson at an Almedalen Week lectern on 26 June 2025.

News

Andersson says she can form a government as talks continue

Magdalena Andersson at an Almedalen Week lectern on 26 June 2025.

News

Andersson given mandate to explore forming Sweden’s next government

Tidö suffers Sweden’s first one-term government defeat in 32 years

News

Tidö suffers Sweden’s first one-term government defeat in 32 years

Jimmie Åkesson speaks and raises his right hand at Långholmen, Stockholm, on 4 May 2024.

News

Åkesson accuses opposition parties of mobilising “Islamist voters”

Jimmie Åkesson speaks with a headset microphone at Almedalen in June 2026.

News

Sweden Democrats blame new citizens for election defeat

Ulf Kristersson speaking at a lectern in Berlin in January 2025.

News

Sweden’s prime minister Kristersson submits resignation

Jimmie Åkesson speaking and gesturing beside a lectern.

News

Åkesson may take a break if Sweden Democrats enter opposition

Nooshi Dadgostar speaks into a headset microphone at Almedalen in June 2026.

News

Left Party insists on cabinet role in government talks

Jimmie Åkesson speaking with a headset microphone at Almedalen in June 2026.

News

Åkesson holds strategy talks as Sweden awaits election result

People visit the Green Party's public political tent during Almedalen Week in 2023.

News

Green Party sets three climate demands for next government

People visit the Green Party's public political tent during Almedalen Week in 2023.

News

Green wave lifts Sweden's Greens in preliminary local results

Sweden's speaker Andreas Norlén addresses an audience at Almedalen in June 2023.

News

Sweden's speaker suggests shorter deadlines for government talks

Tobias Baudin addresses colleagues at a Social Democratic election-night gathering in September 2022.

News

Social Democratic Party secretary Tobias Baudin leaves government line-up open

Sweden’s parliament building seen across the water in central Stockholm.

News

Social Democrats file KU complaint over Kristersson’s security handling

Liberal Party leader Simona Mohamsson speaks from a Liberalerna stage at Almedalen in June 2025.

News

Liberals reach 4.3% as Sweden's election tightens

Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist gestures while speaking with people in a public square.

News

Centre Party pledges to scrap Sweden’s work-permit salary floor

Gloved veterinary staff examine a cat's teeth before a cleaning.

Politics

M wants vets to offer cheapest defensible treatment

A veterinary technician listens to a pit bull's chest during an examination at a clinic.

Politics

V wants national vet tariffs as prices soar

The eastern facade of the Swedish Parliament building in Stockholm behind trimmed hedges.

Politics

Reported pro-Russia links raise questions over SD staff vetting

Alphabet posters, books and learning folders inside a Swedish preschool literacy area.

Politics

Mandatory Swedish screening proposed for young multilingual children

Skatteverket's name and symbol on the facade of its Kronan office in Sundbyberg.

Politics

Skatteverket ID cards could end in March 2027

Rows of Swedish party ballot papers at a polling station in Borlänge.

Politics

L climbs to 3.0% as M hits seven-year low

An empty dental treatment room with a chair, overhead light and clinical instruments.

Politics

S wants 10% cap on adults’ dental treatment bills

Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson speaks at an Almedalen lectern.

Politics

Andersson says voters assumed she would be prime minister

A woman uses a telephone headset at an office desk.

Politics

L wants bans on SMS loans and telephone sales

Ebba Busch speaks in a white outfit during Almedalen Week in Visby in June 2026.

Politics

Ebba Busch U-turn: Won’t Accept Magdalena Andersson as Prime Minister

Magdalena Andersson speaks at a Social Democratic lectern during Almedalen Week in June 2025.

Politics

Social Democrats plunge 4.3 points as poll lead crumbles

Visitors at the Moderates' public political tent during Almedalen Week in June 2023.

Politics

Billionaire Roger Akelius abandons Moderates over ‘cruel’ deportations

Ulf Kristersson speaks at a Moderate Party event during Almedalen Week in July 2019.

Politics

M wants unemployment benefits to fall faster

Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar speaking at Järvaveckan in 2022.

Politics

V wants most workers on 80% unemployment benefit

Magdalena Andersson outside Stockholm City Hall in April 2020.

News

Andersson says Centre Party will be needed to form government

Student housing buildings at Karolinska Institutet in Solna.

Politics

S promises 10,000 student homes in youth-cost package

Social Democratic justice policy spokesperson Teresa Carvalho in a red blazer in a 2022 portrait.

Politics

Social Democrats promise ‘mafia law’ in seven-part crime plan

Gunnar Strömmer at Sergels torg in Stockholm during election campaigning in September 2018.

Politics

M wants 30-day bans for threatening behaviour on streets

Romina Pourmokhtari speaking at the Liberal Party national conference in 2023.

Politics

Pourmokhtari wants 12-month permits for green factories

Moderate leader Ulf Kristersson speaks at Almedalen Week in July 2019.

Politics

M wants detention when violence risk is clear

Social Democratic economic-policy spokesperson Mikael Damberg speaks at Almedalen Week in June 2026.

Politics

S bank tax splits parties over mortgage costs

Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson speaking at Almedalen Week in 2017.

Politics

Åkesson asks if a KD vote could make Andersson PM

People use sewing machines to repair clothes and textiles at a community Repair Cafe.

Politics

MP wants 20% recycled textiles and cheaper repairs

Instagram Story screenshot from Zara Larsson showing the singer backstage with Swedish text urging followers to vote left in the autumn election.

Politics

Zara Larsson tells followers to vote left in Sweden’s election

Two adults work together at a computer during a Swedish-language workshop in November 2012.

Politics

Social Democrats pledge in-person SFI and welfare language tests

Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson speaks with a sign language interpreter at Almedalen Week in June 2025.

Politics

S wants to bar insurance priority at publicly funded clinics

Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar speaks into a headset microphone at Almedalen Week in June 2026.

Politics

Left Party vows to vote against any government that excludes it

Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson speaks to news media outside the Ministry of Finance in March 2023.

Politics

Government forecasts SEK 50bn for post-election reforms

Rosenbad, the seat of Sweden's Government, beside the water in central Stockholm.

Politics

Sweden proposes 12-month powers for future pandemic limits

Cyclists ride across Strömbron in central Stockholm in May 2026.

Politics

MP wants SEK 6bn restored for greener city travel

Multiple Swedish party ballots sit in racks inside an empty ballot-selection stand.

Politics

Tidö cuts opposition poll lead to 4.7 points

Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson stands at an Almedalen Week lectern in June 2025.

Politics

Social Democrats want 12-child cap for youngest preschool groups

A hand places a ballot envelope into a sealed ballot box at a Swedish polling station.

Politics

Early voting opens across Sweden with 1,875 locations

A blue-and-white metro train stands beside the platform at Ropsten station in Stockholm.

Politics

Social Democrats pledge free youth travel in jobs-and-climate plan

Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson speaks at Almedalen Week in June 2024.

Politics

Moderates want to scrap preschool and after-school fees

Simona Mohamsson speaks into a reporter’s microphone during an interview at Almedalen.

Politics

Mohamsson on Åkesson’s snub: “Loser mentality”

Simona Mohamsson and Ulf Kristersson stand at lecterns during a government press conference.

News

Sweden launches commission to prevent school attacks

Green Party co-leader Amanda Lind applauds at the party's Almedalen event in June 2019.

Politics

Green Party rules out government with Christian Democrats

Liberal Party leader Simona Mohamsson speaks on a party stage at Almedalen in June 2025.

Politics

Liberals want wider dismissal powers in schools and care

People visit the Sweden Democrats' public political tent during Almedalen Week in 2023.

Politics

SD wants national staffing floor for elder care

Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar smiles outside the Riksdag in Stockholm.

Politics

Left Party wants to halve Sweden's municipal tax gap

A doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to a young patient's chest during a medical examination.

Politics

Sweden links child health checks from birth to age 20

An archival portrait of Swedish Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari.

DailySweden view

Sweden’s ministers keep full pay while sick as the government defends the sick-day penalty

Magdalena Andersson during a visit to Helsinki in March 2022.

Politics

Andersson rejects review of existing permanent residence permits

Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson speaks at Långholmen in Stockholm in 2024.

Politics

Åkesson says he wants to be prime minister in 2030

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson

News

Kristersson rejects Jomshof's call to abandon Islam

A fuel nozzle at a petrol station in Helsingborg, Sweden.

Politics

Tidö parties split over extending fuel-tax cut

Amanda Lind speaks at Almedalen Week in Visby in June 2026.

Politics

Green Party wants 35-hour week as step to four days

Three voters choose ballot papers behind privacy screens at a Swedish polling station in September 2022.

Politics

Poll gives opposition 10-point lead as Centre Party hits 8%

Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson speaking at Långholmen in Stockholm in 2024.

Politics

Jimmie Åkesson: ‘I would like to spend exactly zero kronor on integration’

Jimmie Åkesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, speaks with a headset microphone at Almedalen Week in June 2026.

Politics

Jimmie Åkesson still wants existing permanent residence permits revoked

Daniel Helldén, now co-leader of Sweden’s Green Party, speaks into a handheld microphone at an outdoor event in 2018.

Politics

Daniel Helldén says Sweden’s billionaires should pay more tax

The eastern facade of the Swedish Parliament building in Stockholm behind trimmed hedges.

Power & Consequence

Sweden's broader gang-crime rule can double sentences

Johan Forssell outdoors at the opening of Sweden's parliamentary year in September 2018.

Politics

Swedish right seizes on Ceuta migrant crossing to advance anti-immigration rhetoric

Carl Bildt speaks during a World Economic Forum session in Davos in January 2010.

Politics

Bildt points to Morocco after Ceuta mass migrant crossing

Ulf Kristersson at a European Council summit in Brussels in December 2022.

Politics

Sweden demands EU crisis talks but rejects migrant relocation

A green and white Swedish learner-driver sign attached to a car.

Power & Consequence

Sweden drops mandatory course for learner drivers and supervisors

A close view of the green Arbetsförmedlingen symbol and bilingual agency name on a glass-fronted building.

Politics

Swedish government wants to make firing workers easier

A Swedish police car drives through Stockholm with its emergency lights activated.

Politics

Sweden adopts child-violence strategy to speed police cases

Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson during a visit to Helsinki in March 2022.

Politics

Suspected neo-Nazi attack targets Social Democrats' Sölvesborg office

A teenager sits indoors while using a mobile phone.

Politics

Centre wants parents to override social media age limit from 13

A mother helps her child with handwritten homework at a table.

Politics

Liberals promise 90% VAB in five-part family package

A woman pushes a smiling young man in a wheelchair outside a building.

Politics

Liberals and SD promise 7% rise in personal-assistance payments

An empty classroom with rows of desks and chairs in Tollarp, Sweden.

Education

Sweden sets 2029 start for centrally marked final exams

Syrian refugees with luggage gathered outside Stockholm Central station after arriving in Sweden in September 2015.

Politics

Five parties refuse to lift Sweden’s 900-person refugee quota

A Swedish passport photographed from above.

Politics

Sweden’s citizenship withdrawal plan will pass to next government

The Swedish Migration Agency building in Solna, photographed from outside.

Migration

Bank blocks access to SEK 350,000 return grant after recipient surrenders home

A tractor towing a crop sprayer applies liquid across a field in West Sussex, England

Power & Consequence

Sweden wants ‘forever chemicals’ out of clothes, but farms can keep spraying them

Ebba Busch speaks at Soltorget in central Stockholm on 8 September 2018.

Politics

Ebba Busch: Pragmatist?

Magdalena Andersson poses for a photograph with two members of the public outside the Riksdag in Stockholm in September 2025.

Politics

Magdalena Andersson: Iron Lady

The Kronofogden name and symbol photographed on a translucent glass sign beside a window.

Money

Swedish inquiry proposes easier debt relief and three-year plans

Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar in a formal portrait taken in May 2018.

Politics

Nooshi Dadgostar: Agent Provocateur

Green Party co-leaders Daniel Helldén and Amanda Lind in a side-by-side editorial composite.

Politics

Daniel Helldén and Amanda Lind: A Green Revolution

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at the U.S. Department of State in Washington in March 2024.

Politics

Ulf Kristersson: Fund the Rich

Simona Mohamsson speaking during an interview at Almedalen.

Politics

Simona Mohamsson: Crash Landing

Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson speaking at Långholmen in Stockholm in 2024.

Politics

Jimmie Åkesson: From Pariah to Power Broker

Simona Mohamsson speaking during an interview at Almedalen.

Politics

Liberals hit record low after ‘selling out’ to SD

A Swedish flag flying outside the historic Radhus building in Jonkoping.

Politics

New Swedish welfare rule: join work-focused activity or risk losing support

The Försäkringskassan sign on the agency’s main office building in Stockholm.

Politics

Sweden proposes new sick pay and parental benefit rules for self-employed workers

Official head-and-shoulders portrait of Ludvig Aspling against a white background.

Politics

SD Doubles Down: Sweden Has Too Many “Ethnically Foreign” People

Rosenbad, the Swedish government offices in central Stockholm.

Making It

Sweden opens review of CSN income limits and long degrees

The Centre Party's public political tent at Almedalen Week in Visby.

Politics

Centre MEP gets role in EU carbon-market negotiations

Rosenbad, the Swedish government offices in central Stockholm.

Politics

Sweden vows to fight weaker EU carbon market

A white Migrationsverket flag flying outside against green trees.

Politics

Sweden’s opposition parties reject return grants for citizens

Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist in a posed indoor portrait.

Work & labour

C wants SEK 738m shifted from return grants to jobs and integration

Sweden Democrats supporters hold party flags reading 'Heja Jimmie' during Almedalen Week in Visby in July 2014.

Migration

SD: “Sweden has far too many people who are not ethnic Swedes”

An existing section of Route 259, Södertörnsleden, east of Gladö kvarn in 2011.

Power & Consequence

Top court rejects Climate Act challenge to major road project

Offshore wind turbines at the Lillgrund wind farm in the Öresund.

Politics

Tanum Moderate criticises government's Vidar wind approval

The historic Göta Court of Appeal building in Jönköping.

Crime & justice

Appeal court raises former Växjö politician's sentence to four years

People visit the Christian Democrats' public political tent during Almedalen Week in 2023.

Politics

Kiruna Christian Democrat candidate quits after NMR links emerge

People visit the Green Party's public political tent during Almedalen Week in 2023.

Politics

Green Party seeks pause to Google's Torsboda deal

Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson speaking at Långholmen in Stockholm in 2024.

DailySweden view

SD’s repatriation proposal puts a price on who counts as Swedish

Danvikshem nursing home beside the water in Stockholm.

Healthcare

Sweden expands national workforce plan to eldercare

Swedish development minister Benjamin Dousa standing outdoors.

World

Sweden adds SEK 1.4 billion to World Bank support for Ukraine

A grocery store aisle in Sweden with packaged food displayed on shelves.

Consumer rights

Sweden orders review of potentially misleading food labels

The Försäkringskassan sign on the agency’s main office building in Stockholm.

Family

Försäkringskassan told to speed support for parents of seriously ill children

A person holding a smartphone with its screen visible.

Health

Sweden orders review of social media's effects on boys

Bridge construction work on national road 27 at Osdal in Sweden.

Transport

Trafikverket told to cut costs on Norrbotniabanan rail project

A large active construction site with cranes and partly completed structures in Malmö.

Housing

Swedish inquiry will test more housing near military sites

A PostNord delivery van parked in Skogås, south of Stockholm.

Politics

Sweden orders review of postal needs during war and crisis

Rosenbad, the Swedish government offices in central Stockholm.

Politics

Sweden proposes environmental penalties up to SEK 5 million

A white Migrationsverket flag flying outside against green trees.

Citizenship

Moderates want domestic-violence convictions to block citizenship

Simona Mohamsson speaking during an interview at Almedalen.

Politics

Centre and Liberals clash over unemployment figures

Centre Party MEP Abir Al-Sahlani standing outdoors.

Politics

Swedish MEP reports Danish colleague over 'go home' remark

Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson speaking at Almedalen Week in 2017.

Politics

PFAS pesticide review opens new divide between S and SD

The Swedish Migration Agency office in Solna.

Politics

Tidö parties consider earlier release for people facing expulsion

Karolinska University Hospital in Solna, Stockholm.

Politics

Government and opposition split over targeted healthcare grants

Ballot papers laid out for Sweden's 2014 general election.

Politics

Election Authority wants tougher rules as more than 100 parties register

A person holding a smartphone with its screen visible.

Crime & justice

New law requires platforms to remove gang recruitment channels within an hour

A Swedish passport photographed from above.

Citizenship

First Swedish citizenship test will contain around 60 questions

Social Democratic election campaign signs on a street in Malmö.

Politics

Social Democrats will support criminal-responsibility age of 14

Floodwater covering a road beneath a railway in Floby, Sweden.

Politics

Social Democrats propose climate-preparedness package

Rosenbad, the Swedish government offices in central Stockholm.

Politics

Sweden's new security adviser left notebook at NATO summit

Offshore wind turbines at the Lillgrund wind farm in the Öresund.

Climate

Government approves three wind farms but rejects 11 offshore projects

The Centre Party's public political tent at Almedalen Week in Visby.

Politics

Centre Party seeks rejection of criminal justice overhaul

Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson speaking at Långholmen in Stockholm in 2024.

Politics

SD wants repatriation grant opened to people who relinquish Swedish citizenship

Entrance to a Swedish government service office with Tax Agency and Enforcement Authority signs

Migration

Six Swedish agencies must report suspected undocumented residents

An electrical substation in Tuntorp, Lysekil Municipality. Energy is one of 11 sectors covered by the resilience bill.

Civil Society

Swedish bill sets resilience duties for 11 critical sectors

Apartment blocks in Södermalm, Stockholm. The bill concerns housing-cooperative homes across Sweden.

Housing

Swedish bill widens grounds to forfeit co-op homes

Exterior of the National Library of Sweden in Stockholm.

Sweden Explained

National Library to make Swedish-Jewish heritage easier to search

The Swedish Migration Agency office in Solna, seen from outside.

Migration

Sweden proposes two-year wait in tighter family-reunification rules

Bridge construction work on national road 27 at Osdal in Sweden.

Transport

Sweden explores public-private projects and a state road company

Customer-service staff working with headsets in a call centre office.

Consumer rights

Swedish proposal would put legal force behind customer-service duties

The Helix forensic psychiatric clinic building in Flemingsberg, Huddinge.

Healthcare

Inquiry will examine state responsibility for forensic psychiatric care

Entrance to the Public Health Agency of Sweden in Solna.

Health

Sweden orders review of generative AI risks for children

Permits & visas

Sweden proposes work permits that follow workers between employers

Stone sculptures and facade details at Stora Nygatan 2B in Stockholm, the Labour Court's address.

Work & labour

Labour Court says employer may end job immediately when worker lacks permit

Integration minister Simona Mohamsson speaking during an interview at Almedalen.

Politics

Swedish inquiry will examine religious radicalisation and institutional infiltration