Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson agrees: "...maintain a high pace because delays are dangerous".
"New article series on Di Debatt: Halftime in the parliamentary term.
First up is Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), who now sees hope for creating a better Sweden.
Published: September 1, 2024, 20:59
Two years ago, the government I lead received the mandate to bring order to our country. For a long time, Sweden became poorer and more dangerous, and we were entrusted by the voters to reverse this trend. For nearly two years, the four cooperating parties have systematically worked to solve the major problems, reverse the trend, and begin building a richer and safer Sweden. Much work remains, but we now see hope. We have conquered inflation. Six months ago, Sweden became a member of NATO. In a dangerous time, Sweden became safer, and NATO stronger. Step by step, it is becoming harder to be a criminal in Sweden. The number of asylum applications appears to be the lowest in more than 25 years, and preliminary figures show, for the first time in 50 years, that Sweden has no net immigration at all. Lower immigration is important to ensure successful integration.
We believe in Sweden. The problems are still significant, and setbacks will occur, but we see the potential and know that Sweden has solved major problems before. We are four different parties, but we can collaborate to get things done. For the first time in a decade, Sweden has a government with a majority in the Swedish Parliament and, therefore, can pursue a stable economic policy.
With this experience, we now enter the second half of the parliamentary term.
Economic policy enters a new phase. From a strong focus on defeating inflation, we shift our focus to future investments and growth reforms. When the government took office, inflation was nearly ten percent, and fiscal policy was necessarily tight. Now, the fight against inflation is won, and we can use the strength of Swedish public finances to build future prosperity and competitiveness. This fall, the government will receive Carl-Henric Svanberg's conclusions following the work of the AI Commission. And we continue to invest in "Engineering Sweden" through a new strategy for the so-called STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Better infrastructure – roads, railways, digital infrastructure, and energy infrastructure – is fundamental for business development. The upcoming infrastructure bill will be crucial for the competitiveness of the business sector.
The government continues the overhaul of the entire energy policy. There will be more base power through a new nuclear power program. The new proposal for a risk-sharing model is now out for consultation, and it will be made clear how the state and the business sector will share the costs and risks for large investments in new Swedish nuclear power.
Climate policy is also entering a new phase. With the EU's major climate package in place, we focus on managing electrification and meeting our national commitments to the EU within the so-called ESR sector. Now that electricity from public charging stations is also to be included in the reduction obligation, we can lower the tax on gasoline and diesel while increasing the blending of biofuels. Household purchasing power is protected, and we can meet our Swedish commitments.
At the same time, an ambitious simplification effort continues to reduce the regulatory burden on Swedish companies, and the government has established a green acceleration office to provide companies with a path into various state agencies. And we continue to work on faster permitting processes.
Growth is ultimately not about numbers or international rankings. Growth is about resources for welfare and new upward mobility that provides a better tomorrow for our children and grandchildren. And we maintain a high pace because delays are dangerous. Much work remains as we enter the second half. But we get things done.
Ulf Kristersson (M)Prime Minister"
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