Left Party backtracks after leader seemingly relaxes stance on joining government
There's been confusion about to what extent the Left Party will back a Social Democrat government after leader Nooshi Dadgostar during an interview appeared to backtrack regarding her party's ultimatum to refuse support for any government they do not actively sit in. The party later claimed the comments were a "misunderstanding".
In an interview with broadcaster TV4 less than three weeks before the September 13th election, Dadgostar was first asked whether the Left Party maintains its stance that it must be part of a government to support it, to which she replied yes.
However, when asked next under what circumstances she would be prepared to bring down Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson, Dadgostar answered: "No, well, we obviously won't do that, and I don't think there will be a snap election at all. There are no incentives for anyone, except possibly the Centre Party, to do that. We will sort this out."
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Party press secretary Maria Carlsson later called the comments a "misunderstanding".
"Our position remains unchanged, meaning that we must sit in government if our votes are necessary to form it," she wrote to TV4, adding that Dadgostar meant the Left Party is prepared to "negotiate with other parties to prevent us from ending up in such a situation".
The conflict between the Left Party and the Centre Party may become one of the hardest conundrums to solve for Andersson after the election. The former insists on seats in government, whereas the latter refuses to govern together with the other. (TT/The Local)
Swedish vocabulary: an incentive – ett incitament
Evil chicken and Jesus: Record 416 parties sign up for Swedish election
More political parties than ever before have registered to stand in this year's elections in Sweden, with 165 parties signed up for the parliamentary election alone.
The deadline for registering political parties for the September 13th elections passed on Friday. According to the Swedish Election Authority, a total of 415 unique parties have registered, which also includes 173 for the regional council elections and 380 for the municipal council elections, which both take place on the same day as the national election for parliament.
That marks a notable increase compared to the 2022 general election, when 103 parties stood for parliament, 130 for regional councils and 328 for local municipalities.
Among the more unusual names are 99 Balloons (99 ballonger), the Naturist Party (Naturistpartiet), Forest People (Skogsfolket), the Evil Chicken Party (Ond Kyckling Partiet) and simply JESUS.
Parties that have not registered are barred from receiving seats during the allocation process. Any votes cast for an unregistered party will also be deemed invalid.
The figures may be adjusted slightly, as the decisions have not yet gained legal force. Four late applications are also currently being processed. (TT/The Local)
Swedish vocabulary: to register – att anmäla sig
Big banks split on Swedish economy's recovery and interest rate path
Economists at Swedish banking giant SEB have revised their GDP growth forecast upwards to 2.7 percent, slightly above their previous prediction of 2.6 percent.
For 2027 and 2028, the bank anticipates growth of 2.9 percent and 2.0 percent, respectively.
Factored into their forecast are two interest rate hikes by the Riksbank – in March and September next year – which would bring the key policy rate up from today's 1.75 percent to 2.25 percent.
"Uncertainty remains high, but both growth and markets continue to demonstrate resilience and a high capacity to adapt. The rise in oil prices is being contained thanks, in part, to new transport routes," SEB stated.
Economists at Swedbank take a less optimistic view of the future, predicting that the Riksbank will begin raising the policy rate as early as this year, eventually reaching 2.25 percent in 2027.
"The recovery of the Swedish economy is under way, with annual growth expected to hover around two percent between 2026 and 2028. Rising inflation means that the Riksbank will start normalising monetary policy towards the end of the year," Swedbank wrote in a report. (TT/The Local)
Swedish vocabulary: growth – tillväxt
Foreigners in insecure employment less likely to claim sick leave
Foreign-born workers, low earners and people without permanent employment claim sick pay significantly less often than others, according to a new report from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.
"Just because someone claims sick pay less frequently doesn't necessarily mean that they are healthier. On the contrary, we know from other studies that these individuals often have poorer health. Instead, the lower usage could be down to the fact that it is harder for them to access sick pay when they need it," Social Insurance Agency analyst Per Janson said in a statement.
Foreign workers without permanent employment claim less sick leave than those with permanent contracts, regardless of income. But low earners claim even less.
Among native-born Swedes in the middle or high earning bracket, however, people without permanent jobs claim more sick leave than those in permanent employment. In this category as well, low earners claim less.
When comparing foreigners and Swedes without permanent contracts, the former are less likely to claim sick leave. There is no difference between foreigners and Swedes with permanent contracts.
"Lower usage could be linked to the difficulty of taking sick leave without putting your current or future livelihood at risk," Janson added.
When it comes to long-term sick leave for over 90 days, there appears to be little difference between the categories, however.
Swedish vocabulary: sick leave – sjukpenning