The Government’s political priorities

Published

The Government of Sweden consists of the Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats and the Liberal Party. The Government is led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The Sweden Democrats are cooperating with the Government in the Riksdag. The Tidö Agreement is the basis for this cooperation.

The government parties, in cooperation with the Sweden Democrats, have decided on six collaborative projects. Within the framework of these projects, they will draft and carry out political reforms to resolve Sweden’s most important societal challenges. The collaborative projects are:

  • growth and household finances;
  • crime;
  • migration and integration;
  • climate and energy;
  • health and medical care; and
  • schools.

In addition to the collaborative projects, the parties will cooperate on a number of issues, such as culture and democracy.

Growth and household finances

The overall direction of economic policy will be to combat unemployment, strengthen Sweden’s growth capacity and ease the economic pressures on households. The proposals drafted will be weighed against the economic situation and the scope of public finances.

Crime

Social problems related to criminality, including gang-related crime, must be resolved. The objective is improving safety and security, preventing young people from becoming involved in criminal activities, ensuring that more crimes are investigated and prosecuted, fighting serious organised crime, improving redress for victims of crime and fairer penalties for offenders.

Migration and integration

Sweden will have a responsible migration policy in line with the binding international rules that the country has undertaken to follow. This includes upholding the right of asylum. The starting point will be that protection will be offered temporarily to those fleeing conflict or crisis in Sweden’s neighbourhood. A requirement-based integration policy will be introduced. Anyone who is in the country for the long term will be responsible for becoming a part of Swedish society.

Climate and energy

Sweden will have a robust electricity network with low electricity prices. Conditions will be improved for plannable fossil-free power plants, to increase the production of clean energy. Climate policy will enhance the opportunities for industry and transport to transition and contribute to effective climate adaptation.

Health and medical care

Policy reforms will be developed and implemented to cut health care queues, increase availability, improve efficiency and equality in health and medical care, and improve the working environment and skills supply for health care employees. The patient’s best interests will be at the heart of the reforms. Central government responsibility for health care will be examined and gradually increased, while the long-term organisation of health care will also be examined.

Schools

Learning outcomes and the learning environment in Swedish schools will be improved. The right to school choice will be expanded. Equal opportunities will be ensured for all schools, and the quality of their activities will be enhanced. The scope for underperforming actors will be greatly reduced, but the diversity of providers will be harnessed. Stricter admissions requirements for teacher education will enhance the profession’s status and attractiveness.

Security policy environment

The security policy situation requires that Sweden’s defence be strengthened. Sweden will complete the NATO accession process together with Finland. Sweden will provide support to war-torn Ukraine – politically, economically and in terms of security. A long-term and cohesive programme for civilian reconstruction and military support will be developed.

EU cooperation

For the first six months of 2023, Sweden will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The EU is Sweden’s most important foreign policy platform. Sweden will be an active, engaged and proactive EU Member State – before, during and after the Presidency.