Sweden's Energy Minister Ebba Busch announces the collapse of negotiations for a broad energy agreement with all parliamentary parties. Despite secret talks with the opposition, no consensus was reached, particularly due to disagreements over nuclear power. Busch remains hopeful for future agreements, highlighting a shared vision for electrification and fossil-free energy.
Ebba Busch: No Broad Energy Agreement Reached
Ebba Busch: No Broad Energy Agreement Reached
There will be no broad energy agreement with all parliamentary parties. This was announced by Energy Minister Ebba Busch (KD) after negotiations collapsed.
"To my dismay, some party strategists step in and say that this conflict is good to keep ahead of next year's election," she says.
Expressen previously reported on how Busch secretly held talks with the opposition to secure a long-term energy agreement.
Earlier negotiations on the same theme fell apart in the spring, following significant dissatisfaction from opposition representatives with the government's focus on nuclear power.
Now, the talks that took place over the summer have concluded—without an agreement.
Busch stated this during a media meeting on Thursday.
"But that doesn't mean there can't be de facto agreements during the fall," says Busch.
She praises the Social Democrats, whom she believes acted constructively in the talks, but simultaneously accuses parties of wanting to maintain conflict issues ahead of next year's election.
"To my dismay, some party strategists step in and say this conflict or this issue is very smart to keep as a conflict leading up to next year's election. I don't share that view," says Busch.
"Broad Consensus"
Despite this, she is hopeful that it will be possible to reach agreements with different parties on various issues.
She points out several areas where, according to her, there is a "broad consensus." This includes the importance of electrification, the need for a larger power system in Sweden, and the goal of achieving one hundred percent fossil-free energy rather than renewable energy.
The latter implies that nuclear power is also included.
"Again, we are moving away from the battle between power sources and focusing on what they can deliver," says Busch.
There are also other issues where the parties have come closer together.
"I perceive that there is a very broad consensus on the issue of offshore wind and nuclear power. Even there, significant shifts have occurred, both among the red-greens and among the coalition partners," she says.
SVT reported before the press conference that the Social Democrats had set tough demands to reconsider the previous decision to reject wind farms in the Baltic Sea.
"I don't think the Social Democrats have made unreasonable demands in the talks. There have been tough demands from both sides, but it has been possible for both sides to compromise," says Ebba Busch.