Sweden's opposition demands the resignation of Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari, citing missed climate goals and increased emissions. Despite Pourmokhtari's previous statements about stepping down if targets aren't met, she remains in her position. The debate intensifies as the government presents its autumn budget, with critics highlighting the failure to achieve climate objectives.
Opposition Calls for Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari's Resignation
Opposition Calls for Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari's Resignation
The government is missing several major climate policy goals. Therefore, the opposition believes Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (L) should resign.
– She should take herself at her word, says Social Democrat economic policy spokesperson Mikael Damberg.
– I am not ashamed of Swedish climate policy; we are a leading nation, says Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (M).
It is the climate minister's own words that are being used against her.
On several occasions, Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (L) has repeated that she would resign if she cannot stand by the government's climate policy, and if emissions increase.
– If I do not stand for the policy we are to implement, it would be dishonest of me to remain, she told Svenska Dagbladet in 2022.
In Sveriges Radio's "Klotet," she stated she would resign if "we move further from Sweden's climate goals and emissions increase with me as climate minister."
"Has Said It Herself"
As the government now presents the autumn budget, it is clear that they are far from reaching the set climate policy goals, and Romina Pourmokhtari has been accused of both deflecting blame and manipulating figures.
Center Party's Martin Ådahl sharply criticizes Pourmokhtari, reminding her of her promise.
– If you miss all the goals and have dramatically increasing climate emissions... Well, that's not what a climate minister should do.
– She has said herself that if she does not achieve any of the goals, she should not continue as climate minister.
Ida Gabrielsson (V) also says the climate minister is not doing her job and should step down. But this applies to several ministers.
– The finance minister and the prime minister are the ones holding the money and the final say. If they wanted to invest in the green transition, they would have done so.
MP: Clear Promise
The Green Party's Janine Alm Ericson has long demanded the climate minister's resignation, also reminding of the promise to step down.
– Romina Pourmokhtari also said that if my government does not reduce emissions, I will step down. It is a very clear promise from a politician that should also be kept.
Mikael Damberg (S) also thinks Romina Pourmokhtari should listen to her own advice.
– Now it is black and white that Sweden has truly broken a trend where we previously had higher growth and reduced emissions. Now we have had low growth and increasing emissions. And we are moving further from the goals that the climate minister says she will fulfill. So she should take herself at her word and resign.
Finance Minister's Defense
When Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson presented the government's budget, she defended her government colleague and the government's climate policy.
– I am not ashamed of Swedish climate policy; we are a leading nation, says Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (M).
When asked if the climate goals are too unrealistic or tough, she responds that more countries than Sweden face challenges with them.
– It is not too tough generally, but it is obviously difficult now, and all European countries are struggling with this, says Svantesson.