The focus in the Prime Minister’s government declaration was clearly “investment,” according to Sundström, a lecturer in political science at Lund University.

“He talked both about specific investments in research and housing, but also about investment in unity and optimism,” she told the TT news agency.

Unity and cohesion were topics Reinfeldt returned to several times in his speech, an idea Sundström interprets as the Moderates’ version of solidarity.

“By talking about cohesion, the image of the Moderates as the new party of labour was solidified.”

The fact that the Prime Minister spoke about the economic crisis in the EU and Sweden’s relatively strong economy was not surprising for Sundström.

“I had expected that he would continue to touch on the government policies responsible for protecting public finances.”

But she thinks the Prime Minister said less than expected on the state of the world outside of the EU.

“Considering he was talking about a changing world, there wasn’t much talk of foreign policy,” she said, adding that climate change issues received even less attention.

“The Centre Party, which after all is the green voice in the Alliance, cannot feel particularly pleased with its low-profile role.”

TT/The Local/og

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