Will we see a ‘June deal’ between the Left and Centre parties?

Sweden’s Social Democrats have been speaking to other political parties in an attempt to work out a compromise after the government collapsed in a no-confidence motion uniting parties from the left and right of Swedish politics.

This hinges on finding a compromise between the Left and Centre parties. These are the only two parties that currently support a centre-left government, but on many issues they are very far apart, notably on the Centre Party’s preference for introducing market rents, an issue that was the catalyst for a successful vote of no confidence against the government on Monday.

Green Party spokesperson Märta Stenevi, who is also Minister for Housing and Gender Equality, told public broadcaster SVT hat she envisages a ‘June Agreement’ between the government, Centre and Left to replace the current ‘January Deal’ where the government agreed on policy points with the Centre and Liberal parties in exchange for their support. She said the government has already spoken with both parties, and found some common ground.

Swedish vocabulary: June deal – juniavtal

Political polls show Left Party gains

A snap election may or may not be on the cards this year, but if it happens, the latest polls suggest the Left Party would get their highest level of support in two decades, while the Liberals could fail to enter parliament at all. That’s according to a DN/Ipsos poll carried out over the weekend, which showed the Left Party set to rise from 10 to 12 percent of the vote share, and the Social Democrats’ share falling by the same amount.

Swedish vocabulary: the Left Party – Vänsterpartiet

The latest on Sweden’s migration law

The government crisis is not the only major political story in Sweden at the moment.

On Tuesday, Sweden’s parliament voted to adopt the government’s proposed migration bill after a debate lasting no less than five hours. The alternative proposals put forward by the Moderates, Christian Democrats, Sweden Democrats and Liberal Party — the first joint proposal made by the four — were voted down by a narrow margin, with the conservative parties vowing to continue their push for tighter controls on migration.

Among other things, the bill makes residence permits for refugees time-limited as a rule of thumb rather than permanent. Since the temporary law was introduced temporary permits have been the norm in Sweden, but before that permanent permits were the default since 1984. We will have an analysis of what does and doesn’t change with the new law, as well as what to expect next in the political debate on migration, on The Local later today.

Swedish vocabulary: migration policy – migrationspolitik

More than 11,000 have been diagnosed with Long Covid in Sweden

Up until now, over 11,000 people have been diagnosed with Long Covid, a name given to a range of symptoms experienced more than three months after first infection with Covid-19. The diagnosis was officially introduced in Sweden in October.

This number includes those who received the diagnosis in primary care, for example at a doctor’s office, and it comes from a survey by the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen). Because the diagnosis is new and the symptoms varied, many researchers believe the true number of people with post-Covid complications is likely larger. For example, an investigation by Swedish radio earlier this year found that 16,000 people had been diagnosed with the illness.

Swedish vocabulary: diagnosis – diagnos

Sweden recommends Covid-19 vaccination for over-16s

The Swedish Public Health Agency will recommend vaccinating those aged 16 and above against Covid-19, said the Director General Johan Carlson on Tuesday.

The use of the Pfizer jab in children from the age of 12 was also approved, but only in certain circumstances, such as if they belong to a risk group. 

Swedish vocabulary: sixteen – sexton

Sweden’s Huawei ban is legal, court rules

A Swedish ban on Chinese telecoms company Huawei was confirmed in court on Tuesday, citing the country’s security as a just reason for banning its equipment in a 5G rollout.

Swedish vocabulary: court – domstol