Mikael Damberg

Minister for Finance Mikael Damberg today presented the Ministry of Finance’s latest forecast for the economic situation. Due to high inflation and rising interest rates, growth is expected to slow in the second half of the year. The labour market remains strong, but unemployment is expected to level off next year.

SAS has announced that the company would like to convert debt corresponding to approximately SEK 20 billion into equity in the company. Against that background, the Swedish government has proposed in an additional amending budget that will be adopted today that the Riksdag authorises the Swedish government to convert the Swedish government’s existing state hybrid and the Swedish government’s outstanding loan facilities to shares in SAS. The measures require approval by the Riksdag and the European Commission.

The Government today adopted an additional amending budget with proposals for Sweden to provide Ukraine with financial support and equipment in response to Russia’s invasion. The Government’s proposals include Sweden donating defence materiel in the form of the RBS 17 anti-ship missile system, AG 90 anti-materiel sniper rifles and ammunition, and an additional 5 000 Swedish AT-4 recoilless anti-tank weapons.

On 20–23 April, Minister for Finance Mikael Damberg and Minister for International Development Cooperation Matilda Ernkrans will attend the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) and the World Bank Group’s Spring Meetings in Washington DC. The Spring Meetings will focus on the economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and what the rest of the world should do to support Ukraine and address the impact.

Today, the Government is presenting the 2022 Spring Fiscal Policy Bill and the Spring Amending Budget for 2022. In light of the deteriorating security situation, the Government is presenting a budget to strengthen Sweden that includes both immediate investment and long-term measures to address societal challenges.

Today, Minister for Finance Mikael Damberg presents the Ministry of Finance’s latest economic forecast. The Swedish economy is expected to grow by 3.1 per cent this year, a downward revision of 0.3 percentage points compared with the previous forecast. This is because Russia’s invasion of Ukraine impacts economic growth.

Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine has led to a deterioration in the security situation in Sweden’s neighbourhood and contributed to exceptionally high electricity prices. The Government’s response is based on three important principles: support to Ukraine, sanctions against Russia and strengthening Sweden. Therefore, the Government today adopted a fifth additional amending budget to strengthen Sweden by providing more funding to Sweden’s military defence and temporary financial compensatory payments to households for high electricity prices. These measures have been presented previously.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to rising fuel and electricity prices. To strengthen Sweden in this extraordinary situation, the Government is presenting a package of measures with both short- and long-term investments. The package includes reduced fuel taxes, a new compensatory payment for fuel costs for private individuals who own cars, increased housing allowance for families with children and a new travel deduction system. Minister for Finance Mikael Damberg presented this package at a press conference today

Sweden’s military defence funding is to increase to two per cent of GDP. This was conveyed by Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson at a press briefing with Minister for Finance Mikael Damberg and Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist.

Minister for Finance Mikael Damberg has informed the World Bank that Sweden plans to issue a guarantee of USD 50 million for the World Bank’s loan to Ukraine. This will be added to the USD 350 million loan that the World Bank is already preparing.

On Sunday 27 February, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist held a press conference on direct support to Ukraine. Sweden’s support consists of both financial support and equipment in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Following speedy consideration by the Riksdag on 28 February, the Government will now implement these measures.

On 23 December, more infection control measures will be introduced in accordance with the Government’s action plan for introducing infection control measures. This is due to the increased community transmission of COVID-19 and the increased burden on health and medical care services.

Today, Minister for Finance Mikael Damberg presents the Ministry of Finance’s latest forecast for the economic situation. The Swedish economy is expected to grow by 4.9 per cent this year, an upward revision of 0.5 percentage points compared with the previous forecast. Sweden’s GDP is back at the levels forecast before the crisis.

The Government has introduced further COVID-19 infection control measures due to increased transmission rates and somewhat growing pressure on health care services. The Government also wants to reintroduce further support and compensation to reduce community transmission. Furthermore, the Government is presenting a plan for business support that may be reintroduced if stricter social restrictions need to be reimposed. Vaccinations remain the key to reducing the risk of infection, disease and death, and to avoiding the introduction of further measures.

Today in the Riksdag, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced the ministers who will serve in the Government. The change of government takes place at a Council of State at the Royal Palace presided over by His Majesty the King. The Council of State begins at 13.00.

The Government has today decided to extend the temporary ban on entry to Sweden from countries within the EU/EEA due to the continued uncertainty concerning transmission of COVID-19. The Government has also adopted amendments to the ban on entry to Sweden from countries outside the EU/EEA concerning exemptions for people who live in or can present vaccination certificates issued in certain specified countries. These amendments are in line with the updated recommendations and decisions at EU level.

The Govern­ment today adopted amend­ments to the tempo­rary ban on entry into Sweden. The amend­ments primarily mean that additio­nal people who can present a vaccine certificate issued in Armenia are exempted from the entry ban and test require­ment.

(New version) The Government has decided on an amendment to the temporary ban on entry into Sweden. The amendment concerns an exemption for residents of a certain specified non-EU country and is in line with the Council of the European Union’s latest recommendation to EU Member States.

The Government today decided on continued border control at the internal border for six months. The decision is based on the Government’s assessment that there is still a serious threat to public policy and internal security in Sweden.

The Government is extending the ban on entry to Sweden from countries outside and within the EU/EEA, effective 31 October. The Government has also decided on changes to the effect that travellers who can present a vaccine certificate issued in the US, Guernsey, Isle of Man or Jersey are exempted from the entry ban and test requirement when entering Sweden.