SWEDEN 19 Sep 2010 Sweden holds parliamentary and local elections

Sweden's Riksdag election on 19 Sep pits the ruling center-right Alliance for Sweden coalition against the four-party center-left opposition led by the Social Democrats. The ruling party's platform centers on trimming taxes and social services and privatizing more state assets. The opposition Social Democrats see a roll back on certain tax cuts as a way to finance more spending on services. An opposition win could give Europe another female head of government and Sweden its first.

Sweden has emerged from recession in good shape, which should favor the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, but the race for the 349-seat parliament is close. Sweden Radio reported on 28 Jul that the Social Democrats, who have dominated Swedish politics for the past century, and their red-green allies, are pulling ahead in the polls. But foreign policy is causing dissension in the opposition coalition. The Social Democrats, led by led by Mona Sahlin, are willing to keep Swedish soldiers in Afghanistan, the Greens want them out by 2014, while the Left Party wants to withdraw the troops immediately.

Other dominant issues in this election include taxes, employment, schools and healthcare and integration and migration issues. The opposition is considering the reintroduction of a wealth tax and rolling back some tax cuts, and spending more on healthcare and education. Sweden's unemployment picture could hurt the ruling party: at just below 9 per cent, it is higher now than when Reinfeldt took office, according to Sweden Radio. It also reports that youth unemployment is among the highest in the European Union, at more than 30 percent.

Reuters reports that the Sweden stands out among European countries because its public finances are robust and it expects to have a budget surplus in 2012 after suffering a recession. Its 2009 recession is described as the worst since World War Two.

New local councils will also be elected. (Last updated Aug 2010)

RELATED READING:

Election 2010 (Radio Sweden)
http://sverigesradio.se/cgi-bin/International/nyhetssidor/amnessida.asp?nyheter=1&ProgramID=3685&grupp=9323

FACTBOX-Key political risks to watch in Sweden (Reuters 1 Jul 2010)
http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE65L0OA20100701?pageNumbe
r=1&virtualBrandChannel=0