The Government’s priorities

General information about the Government’s priorities

“Setting a new course requires both perseverance and determination. Problems that have emerged over a long period require long-term efforts. And this is precisely why we must keep up the momentum. We are realists and do not underestimate Sweden’s problems. But we are also optimists – and are convinced that they can be resolved,” says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Growth and household finances

One of the Government’s primary priorities is combating inflation and easing economic pressures on households. The Government is also working to create better conditions for the economy to grow in the long term. Good economic growth forms the basis for a society to grow and become stronger – a society in which more people support themselves and contribute to necessary investments in the judicial system, defence and welfare.

Crime

The Government is currently overhauling criminal policy. This involves shifting focus from the perpetrator to the victim and society’s legitimate interest in protection against crime. Sentences must therefore be more severe. This also means that the Swedish Prison and Probation Service needs to substantially expand. Law enforcement authorities will receive additional resources and better tools to combat gang crime. The objective is to improve safety and security, prevent young people from becoming involved in criminal activities, ensure that more crimes are investigated and prosecuted, and fight serious and organised crime.

Migration and integration

The Government is well under way in implementing a paradigm shift in the area of migration. Sweden must be open to the rest of the world, but in a manner that is sustainable in the long term. Achieving this requires extensive reforms. The Government is also overhauling integration policy so as to incorporate more requirements and emphasise individual responsibility.

Climate and energy

Sweden will pursue an ambitious and effective climate policy to achieve the climate objective of net-zero emissions by 2045. The Government is overhauling energy and climate policy, investing in new nuclear energy and taking a holistic approach to promote the industrial sector’s green transition, improve the business sector’s conditions in the long term and enhance competitiveness. The Government is therefore investing in electrification to enable the industrial and transport sectors to transition.

Health and medical care

Focus is on the patient’s best interests as health and medical care is reformed. The Government and the cooperating party have agreed on reforms to reduce health care queues, increase availability, improve efficiency and equality in health and medical care, and improve the working environment and skills supply for health care employees.

Schools

Schools must go back to basics. We need more order in the classroom and in the school system. We need to re-establish a strong knowledge-based school system that focuses on factual knowledge and abilities such as reading, writing and arithmetic. We need safe and secure schools with clear expectations. This will benefit everyone, especially the children who need school the most.

Security policy environment

Europe and Sweden are in one of the most serious security situations since the end of the Second World War. Russia has shown a willingness to take major political and military risks and has demonstrated both brutality and stamina. Russia’s actions have given rise to a structural and long-term major deterioration of the security environment in Sweden’s neighbourhood. This has resulted in extensive and far-reaching consequences for Sweden’s security. Sweden’s application for NATO membership and a major scale-up of Swedish defence were immediate results of this insight.

• Sweden's support to Ukraine
• Sweden in NATO
• Efforts to strengthen Sweden’s security

EU cooperation

Membership of the European Union is crucial for Sweden’s economy, security and voice in the world. The Government therefore aims to ensure that Sweden is an active, proactive and engaged Member State that strives to make the EU safer, greener and freer.

• Speech: Statement of Government EU Policy