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.
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.
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.
On Friday 25 August 2023, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. The meeting was focusing on the security situation, including EU support to Ukraine, competitiveness and the green transition.
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
