Sweden's opposition parties have united in their criticism of the government's autumn budget, accusing it of failing to address key issues like unemployment and climate goals. The Social Democrats are seen as the central figure in coordinating this critique, although the Center Party denies any involvement. The opposition views the budget as a last-minute attempt to win votes ahead of the 2026 election.
Opposition Unites in Criticism of Government's Autumn Budget
Opposition Unites in Criticism of Government's Autumn Budget
The opposition is united in condemning the government's autumn budget, often using similar language. According to Expressen's sources, all the red-green parties have coordinated their criticism, with the Social Democrats acting as the unifying link. However, the Center Party strongly denies any coordination.
The autumn budget is released, and opposition criticism follows during a series of rapid press conferences in the parliament. This is part of the political ritual surrounding the budget process that takes place every year.
Ahead of the government's last autumn budget before the 2026 election, the opposition parties are in strong agreement in their criticism.
Representatives from the Social Democrats, the Left Party, the Center Party, and the Green Party use similar words in their statements and budget comments. They criticize the high unemployment rate, the government's failure to meet almost all climate goals, and the Social Democrats, the Left Party, and the Green Party all say that welfare has been put on a "starvation diet" under the Tidö parties' rule.
The opposition paints the government's budget as a panicked last-minute measure; as electioneering and "candy" with large investments and tax cuts aimed at winning the election next autumn.
The Spider in the Web
According to several sources to Expressen, the similarity in comments is no coincidence – the red-green parties have coordinated their criticism of the government.
The coordination is said to have primarily occurred at the civil servant level and between the economic policy spokespersons, involving both informing each other and finding common ground in their attacks on the government.
Above all, it is said to be the Social Democrats who have led this effort.
- The Social Democrats have been the spider in the web, says a source in one of the parties.
Several people Expressen spoke to say it was unusually easy to coordinate this time, as most of the government's budget has been known in recent weeks.
That the red-greens coordinate on issues and ahead of major events like party leader debates is not something they hide when representatives are offered anonymity.
It is more sensitive when the question is asked openly.
Broad Criticism
Mikael Damberg, financial policy spokesperson for the Social Democrats, emphasizes, for example, that each party makes its own independent decisions about the budget, with its own priorities.
- I think it's good for voters to understand what the different parties think, he says.
But he also adds:
- But when I listen to what the opposition parties say, there seems to be unanimous criticism that this government has mismanaged the economy, achieved poor growth, high unemployment, and is doing too little, especially in the welfare area. This leads to major problems in Sweden right now. So there is quite broad criticism of the government.
Janine Alm Ericson, economic policy spokesperson for the Green Party, in turn, says she doesn't find it strange that the opposition's criticism is so consistent.
- This government doesn't need a coordinated opposition to see what's wrong with this budget. It doesn't build a stronger Sweden. It still leaves families behind. And it doesn't secure welfare going forward. Moreover, this government has dismantled the green transition. And that's something we need to fix.
The use of similar words is explained by Alm Ericson as the budget debate has already been ongoing for some time.
- We've been spoon-fed this budget, so very few of these proposals are new. We've already had this debate for several weeks, she says.
Center Party Denies
According to sources, it is particularly sensitive for the Center Party to acknowledge any form of coordination. The party has not yet decided which side it wants to belong to.
From the Social Democrats, the Left Party, and the Green Party, it is emphasized that the Center Party has also been involved in the discussions, which is strongly denied by people in Anna-Karin Hatt's party.
- Absolutely not, says a Center Party member.
Martin Ådahl (C), economic policy spokesperson, does not like the picture given by Expressen's sources.
- I can swear on our upcoming budget motion that we have not coordinated this with the Social Democrats. We have our own policy, and we will pursue it in every way we can. Sweden needs it, he says.
However, no deeper cooperation ahead of next year's election has been initiated.