On 18–26 September, several high-level meetings will be held in connection with the opening of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN Headquarters in New York. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson will attend.
On 13 September, Speaker of the Riksdag Andreas Norlén and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson congratulated His Majesty The King on 50 years on the throne between 1973 and 2023. At a reception at the Royal Palace, they presented a gift from the Riksdag and the Government: an eight square metre tapestry based on a watercolour by artist Lars Lerin.
On 12 September, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson presented the 2023 Statement of Government Policy in the Riksdag.
Information about the Government’s measures to strengthen Sweden’s security, protect Swedish citizens and safeguard Swedish economic interests in light of the serious security situation is available here.
In the Budget Bill for 2024, the Government proposes additional funding to military defence amounting to approximately SEK 700 million. Taking into account upward adjustments and previous decisions, appropriations for military defence will increase by more than SEK 27 billion between 2023 and 2024 – an increase of 28 per cent.
The weakening economic situation has pushed the Swedish economy into recession in 2023. High inflation and higher interest rates combined with waning international demand are the primary reasons for the flagging economy. These are the conclusions of a new forecast of the economic outlook from the Ministry of Finance. At the same time, Minister for Finance Elisabeth Svantesson reports that the reforms in the forthcoming autumn budget will amount to an estimated SEK 40 billion.
The reactions following the burning of copies of the Quran have led to a deteriorating security situation. The Government has therefore decided to task several government agencies with strengthening Sweden’s ability to prevent, avert and impede terrorism and violent extremism.
Published · Updated · Press release from Maria Malmer Stenergard, Ministry of Justice
Published · Press release from Ministry for Foreign Affairs
