Sweden: elections coming up

[Sentinel]

So, as the title indicates, national, provincial and municipal elections will be held in Sweden soon - September 14. It would be interesting if we could discuss them here from a radical left wing pov. We may not believe that bourgeois elections are the way to radical social change, but they sure affect our prospects and our lives, social atmosphere etc. Also, in these upcoming elections, a with contemporary standars radical demand to ban private profits in the welfare sector -- which was initiated by the far left and other grassroots activists -- will also be contested which makes them a bit more interesting than usual.

With less than a month remaining, the latest surveys indicate that the results of the recent EU elections seem to be more reflective of the general mood than many who are hoping for regime change had dared to hope. This is the latest one from SIFO, with the current opinion poll results (%) followed by the 2010 election results in brackets:


Social Democratic Workers' Party 30,7 (30,7)
Left Party (ex-communists) 6,6 (5,6)
Green Party 11,4 (7,3)
Moderate Party ('liberal conservatives') 23,9 (30,1)
Centre Party (former peasants party, now neoliberals) 4,6 - 6,6
Peoples Party (liberals) 6,1 (7,1)
Christian Democrats 4,3 (5,6)
Sweden Democrats (far-right racists) 9 (5,7)
Feminist Initiative 2,6 (-)
Others 0,8 (1,4)


If this was the final result, the bourgeois 'Alliance' coalition of the Moderate, Liberal, Centre and Christian Democrat parties which has held power since 2006 would land at a mere 38,9 %. The so called 'red-green' opposition parties would receive 48,7%, thus being able to form a (minority) government.

The racist Sweden Democrats would retain their 'scalemaster' position, in the absence of a majority for either 'bloc', while increasing their mandate from 5,7% to 9%. This increase has been constant in virtually all polls between the elections and can thus unfortunately be seen as fairly certain.

The Feminist Initiative party, which scored a seat in the EU elections, but are yet without parliamentary representation, would not pass the 4% treshold required to enter parliament if these were the actual results. While the party refuses to place themselves on a left-right axis, they are led by Gudrun Schyman who is the former Left Party chair, are generally drawing support from the left and are supported by quite a few respectable left activists.

Many on the left are worried that the running of FI might pointlessly reduce the votes of the other left parties, the Left Party in particular, in a scenario where they almost but not quite reach the 4% treshold. It is however quite clear that they have, through their successes in the EU elections, made the other parties (well some of them) suddenly put feminism 'on the agenda' as they are afraid of losing votes.

What happens after the elections, if the bourgeois coalition falls, is uncertain. Personally I suspect that we might see an end to 'bloc politics' in Sweden; the Social Democrats will be hesitant to form a government with the Left Party which has picked up the grassroots initiative to ban private profits in the welfare sector (hospitals, schools, elderly care etc).

These have been extensively privatised during the 8 years of bourgeois rule, to the degree that for example only Chile under Pinochet allowed similar profits for venture capitalists in tax funded schools. After extensive scandals of mistreatment of patients, catastrophically sinking school results etc 8 out of 10 swedes now support banning private profits in these areas.

This ban has been the main elections promise of the Left party, which also saw an increase in support likely due to it -- until it became realistic that the FI may get into parliament as well, which then split the vote. It seems unlikely the Left party will back down on the demand, which was rejected by the Social Democratic party congress where the right wing defeated the left wing on the issue, and is deemed 'undoable' by the Socdem chairman Stefan Löfven, a rightwing union bureaucrat.

Therefore, and as it generally suits his purposes, I suspect that Löfven will attempt to form a 'centre' government with the Greens and the smaller bourgeois parties instead. The question is though, will they accept? And would Löfven do it even if it meant forming a minority government (if the 'red green bloc' would reach 50+%)?

So, let's discuss the elections, Swedish politics and related topics in this thread; I will post updates and try to answer any questions.

[blake 3:17]

What are the central issues in this election? Or how are they being framed by the parties and in the media?

On foreign policy -- Is Sweden even part of NATO?

Edited to add: Do minority governments in Sweden rule from vote to vote? Here there are less parties in a coalition (2 usually at most) and certain parliamentary vote votes are considered deal makers or deal breakers -- the budget usually being the big one.

[Creative Destruction]

What is the cause of the rise of far-right racist politics in the Nordic countries? Is it almost all due to a reaction against immigration?

I also read about the abject failure of the privatization of the Swedish school system, and I'm glad the voters are looking to correct this. There were some articles on Slate or Salon or one of those outlets that argued for Americans to look at how just fucked up it was. Liberals here are pushing for privatization or semi-privatization. It's fucking ridiculous.

[Sentinel]

What are the central issues in this election? Or how are they being framed by the parties and in the media?


The Social Democrats who are the main opposition and expected to take over, are basically promising some minor reforms (such as slightly raising employers taxes, the restaurant owners tax etc), as well as reforming the inhumane unemployment system somewhat -- while failing to take a decisive stand in the welfare profits issue, or otherwise promise to decisively roll back the neoliberal changes that have been made.

They are also not going to revoke the substantial tax reductions for workers with which the bourgeois Coalition has bought the support of the masses so far (financed by cutting down on welfare for the poorest, the unemployed, the sick etc). They are basically battling over the undecided 'middle voters' who are swaying between them and the right, and are afraid to scare them away.

Obviously their message is about returning Sweden to be a 'country for all', but it's all very abstract and boils down to small actual changes. Less counterreforms and privatisations maybe but certainly no nationalisations or other radical measures if they get to decide.

Cooperation with the Left party might force them to such this time, but yeah see above. It is unlikely the Left will become large enough to influence, and the Socdems are primarily looking for other cooperation partners anyway.

Then there is the issue of the racists increasing support, whom everyone so far has refused to cooperate with. I actually have some respect for Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Moderate party PM for firmly refusing to go there - as his collegues in the other nordic countries have done without hesitation.

But after the elections the leadership of the right parties may change, and then who knows.


On foreign policy -- Is Sweden even part of NATO?


No, but some debate over that has been raised now with the Ukraine crisis etc. During the cold war, Sweden was officially neutral although covertly in alliance with NATO. While it's yet not a member I think participation in wars etc indicates where we are going, slowly but certainly.


Do minority governments in Sweden rule from vote to vote? Here there are less parties in a coalition (2 usually at most) and certain parliamentary vote votes are considered deal makers or deal breakers -- the budget usually being the big one.

Basically yes, but usually they will try to reach long term agreements with individual opposition parties. For example after the current goverment lost it's majority in parliament in 2010, they faced a problem of getting support from others than the Sweden Democrats (which they didn't want) for their restrictive asylum policies including expelling political activists to Iran etc.

Luckily for them the Green party went in and cooperated, historically betraying the asylum struggle. :glare: Technically a minority government may be forced to resign if it has a parliamentary majority blocking it. There have been some cases where both the 'red-green' parties and the Sweden democrats voted no to individual government proposals without anythign happening, though.


What is the cause of the rise of far-right racist politics in the Nordic countries? Is it almost all due to a reaction against immigration?


It is the same as everywhere; the crisis of capitalism and the slaughter of the welfare state. And of course the political atmosphere in the whole of Europe affects Sweden as well.

It is no coincidence that these filth have grown enormously during the years of right wing rule, but on the other hand the rightward shift in Swedish politics was already initiated by the Social Democrats in the 90s.



I also read about the abject failure of the privatization of the Swedish school system, and I'm glad the voters are looking to correct this. There were some articles on Slate or Salon or one of those outlets that argued for Americans to look at how just fucked up it was. Liberals here are pushing for privatization or semi-privatization. It's fucking ridiculous.


Indeed it tends to come as a shock for people abroad, many of whom still believe Sweden is as it used to be (keynesian, social democrat, 'socialist'). Good to hear this perception is starting to change.

But I am happy that here the liberals are a tiny party on the right of the spectrum of parties, where they belong. Certainly there are still differences between here and there.

[blake 3:17]

Just for clarity's sake -- Sweden is part of the EU but hasn't adopted the Euro?

[Sentinel]

Just for clarity's sake -- Sweden is part of the EU but hasn't adopted the Euro?


Indeed, this is correct. Adopting the euro was turned down by landslide in a referendum, I think in 2003. First time I voted in an election btw.

***
Social democrat slogan: 'Stop selling out the welfare to underprice!' :lol:

How about just, stop?

[Hrafn]

Christ, this is going to be terrible. Last election was probably one of the lowest points of my life, mood-wise, the moment I completely lost faith in society. For the first time, I realized that Sweden wasn't as nice and tolerant as we were supposed to be. I've taken quite the journey since then...

While the rest of the "real" left deeply despises Feminist Initiative, I can honestly say I really hope they get in. Like the Sweden Democrats have normalized racism in Sweden, I hope FI will normalize feminism. That has already begun to take place. It's a possibility, given that feminists are more inclined to vote than your average citizen, I guess.

I also deeply hope that either the Center or thr Christian Democrats get kicked out of parliament, or both even, if nothing else for my personal amusement. As a rural kid, I've had to deal with them quite enough for one life time.

[Zukunftsmusik]

Jimmie Åkesson, the leader of the Sweden Democrats, was in Norway yesterday to appeal to the many swedish workers here. He was met with cirka 70 counter demonstrators (more than his supporters) who turned their back on him and yelled slogans until he burst out "I can't even hear myself think. Can you please be silent?", which of course only made the protestors yell louder.

[RedWorker]

What about the Socialist Justice Party?
Note: I know nothing about this party or Swedish elections, I just took a glance at the list of parties.

[Sentinel]

What about the Socialist Justice Party?
Note: I know nothing about this party or Swedish elections, I just took a glance at the list of parties.

Being a much smaller party with no realistic chance in the parliamentary elections, they are running for municipal council seats in some cities, most notably Haninge (off Stockholm), Luleå and Gothenburg. In the two former they have some incumbent councillors (2 and 3, respectively).

I wish them (and all other radical left parties) luck, despite whatever disagreements.

[JahLemon]

What about the Socialist Justice Party?
Note: I know nothing about this party or Swedish elections, I just took a glance at the list of parties.
They normally get a little over 1000 votes so I don't see them winning any seats this election.

[Hrafn]

No radical parties will see any "successes", in my opinion.

[Sentinel]

New, interesting opinion poll from DN/Ipsos, published yesterday with 10 days remaining to the elections:

Social Democratic Workers' Party: 29,7 %
Left Party: 7,5 %
Green Party: 11,0 %
Moderate Party: 21,7%
Centre Party: 4,4 %
Liberal Peoples Party: 6,3%
Christian Democrats: 4,5%
Sweden Democrats: 9,7%
Feminist Initiative: 4%
Others: 1,3 %

Support for the two major contenders, the Social Democrats and the Moderates, keeps shrinking while the Feminist Initiative party now has climbed up to the 4% parliament treshold. The left party is also increasing.

If this was the election result, the 'red-green-pink' parties would have a parliamentary majority of 52%. As the social democrats don't want to ban the welfare profiteers, and the Left party has put that demand in order to take part in a govermnent, a probable scenario would be a government by Socdems and Greens, supported by and heavily dependant of the Left and the Feminists in parliament.

Also, perhaps most importantly, this would mean that the Sweden Democrat racists would lose their influence as 'scalesmasters' between two 'blocs'. This would naturally be fantastic, even though we all have to be extremely worried about them still doubling their mandate.

But this is only one poll, others still put the feminists under the treshold, and the gap between the 'blocs' is also constantly decreasing. Only recently it was 17%, now some polls put it down to as little as 4,5% - discounting the feminists I presume, though.

They claim to be 'neither left or right', on the other hand most of their support does come from the left and they have also stated they would give parliamentary support to a red-green government.

This new rise in the polls might give F! the push they need to mobilise to make it in, but on the other hand they are not as prone to get support votes from other parties - something that constantly saves the smaller bourgeois parties from falling out of parliament.

[aty]

F! will give the fascists the swing vote because of their leaders ego.

I also think that the Moderate Party is over estimated a lot.

Prediction:
Social Democratic Workers' Party: 27,7 %
Left Party: 6,6 %
Green Party: 13,5 %
Moderate Party: 18,8%
Centre Party: 5,1 %
Liberal Peoples Party: 7,5%
Christian Democrats: 4,9%
Sweden Democrats: 12,8%
Feminist Initiative: 2,2%
Others: 0,9 %

[Zukunftsmusik]

F! will give the fascists the swing vote because of their leaders ego.

Could you be more specific here? (I assume the fascists referred to are Sverigedemokraterna?)

[Sentinel]

Could you be more specific here? (I assume the fascists referred to are Sverigedemokraterna?)

I think they mean that there is still a huge risk that F! fails to get over the 4% treshold for entering parliament - while still taking a crucial amount of votes that otherwise had gone to the 'redgreens', possibly giving them a parliamentary majority. This has been, and is, a major concern amongst the left.

If neither 'bloc' gets a majority, SD will have the decisive vote in parliament unless agreements are can be reached with parties from the other 'bloc' (I'm using 'bloc' in quotations as the left wing parties hardly function as one after attempting it as a tactic in the last elections). This is what I meant when talking about 'scalesmasters' above.

This is the situation at the moment, since 2010 when the bourgeois Alliance government failed to get over 50%. The Alliance has formally vowed not to cooperate with SD, but they have voted alike in about 8 cases of 10. However, in the few occasions SD has voted with the opposition, and thus thwarted a government proposal, PM Reinfeldt has vocally accused the redgreens of cooperating with SD.

[TheEmancipator]

What is the cause of the rise of far-right racist politics in the Nordic countries? Is it almost all due to a reaction against immigration?


Where Sweden differs from others is that they have historically played a major role in foreign aid schemes, refugee help, etc...Swedish Democrats basically come along and say that htye'll reduce the aid and welfare budget for foreigners and give it to Swedes.

They are buying votes indirectly, like most bourgeois parties.

Also, European politics is bbecoming americanized. More and more middle class people are taking up the ''ugh the state is out to get me'', ''I just want to be left alone'' etc... They want an equivalent to the Republican Party in Europe and the far right has taken over that mantle, because the far right will always change rhetoric to get more votes.

[Hrafn]

This election is really wearing on me. All the propaganda everywhere. :crying:

[Sentinel]

This election is really wearing on me. All the propaganda everywhere. :crying:

The slogans of the Liberal Peoples Party are the most entertaining/annoying. "Feminism without socialism!" is my favourite, but I also enjoy 'Vote for the schools' coming from a guy (Minister of Education Jan Björklund) who in 8 years has abolutely demolished Swedens international ratings in education levels.

We've dropped the most of all 33 OECD countries, from top of the notch to absolute shit results, in record time. But hey, it will all turn around starting now, we just have to trust Björklund on this one.

:lol:

[RedWorker]

That a party like F! has even needed to appear is sad. Shows how much the major parties must care about women's issues and patriarchy, when a party needs to be specifically created to represent the interests of a section of the population that is even a majority.

But what are they on other issues? Socialdemocrats?

[Hrafn]

The Social Democrats virtually do not differ from the Moderates.

[Zukunftsmusik]

I think what RedWorker asks is where the Feminist party stand on other issues not immidiately linked to feminism.

[Hrafn]

Well, I intended to phrase it differently, dunno why it came out like that.

IMO, FI are like the Social Democrats. And the Social Democrats are like the Moderates.

[Sentinel]

Over the last week or so, with opinion polls coming in almost daily, the gap between the two so called blocs has been shrinking with great speed, and is now only a a few %. What seemed like a given 'red-green' victory is instead going to be a close race. :ohmy:

Also before the 2010 elections the red-greens were ahead until the final race - and then lost. Columnist and founder/CEO of the left wing daily magazine ETC Johan Ehrenberg (an old trotskyist) today called (http://www.etc.se/ledare/bara-fi-kan-avsatta-reinfeldt) for a tactical vote for F! with the reasoning that it is the only way to get an absolute parliamentary majority for parties backing a red-green government.

Ehrenberg argues, probably correctly, that this is necessary because such a government would otherwise not get through anything the right would object to in parliament if the Sweden democrats get a scalemaster position. While there are rules in place enabling the largest bloc to make a budget, a hostile majority can still obstruct individual proposals to the degree it paralyses the government.

[Hrafn]

Tbh I'm most likely going to tactically vote for FI, bourgeois as they are.

[Zukunftsmusik]

what's tactical about such a vote?

[Hrafn]

Can't you read?

[Zukunftsmusik]

Yes I can. I'm asking what is tactical about it, your rarional behind it. What do you see as positive with F! gaining votes? Why F! and not Vänsterpartiet, for example?

I know tone is difficult to express over the internet, and i was afraid you'd interpret it as sarcastic, but it was an honest question. I wasn't attacking you or whatever.

[Sentinel]

Yes I can. I'm asking what is tactical about it, your rarional behind it. What do you see as positive with F! gaining votes? Why F! and not Vänsterpartiet, for example?


I'll try to explain again. F! are running no matter what, and are guaranteedly receiving 2-3% of the vote. This has been ensured by extensive grassroots campaigning work by F!.

These are leftwing votes, without which - according to fresh polls - the red-green bloc will fail to receive a majority in parliament. F! has, however, declared that they will back a red-green government.

But unless they receive 4+ %, they fail to reach the set treshold for entry; they get no seats in parliament and the votes they received go to the trashcan. Therefore it makes sense for leftists, social democrats and greens to consider a tactical vote for F!.

[Hrafn]

Yes I can. I'm asking what is tactical about it, your rarional behind it. What do you see as positive with F! gaining votes? Why F! and not Vänsterpartiet, for example?

Sentinel linked stuff about it right above my post.

[Zukunftsmusik]

I didn't see the post for some reason

[Sentinel]

Just in: Jimmie Åkesson, chairman of the Sweden Democrats, has been gambling for 500 000 SEK (about 50 000 €) - only this year. Also gambled away 50 000 SEK in a few hours. This info was probably leaked to Swedens radio by someone working for an online casino company on Malta, and is confirmed.

According to an expert on gambling related issues who was interviewed, it is very likely that he has a problem and should seek counceling.. He is now calling this an 'character assassination', but I for one agree with political editor of Aftonbladet Lena Mellin and others; a person aspiring to run the country and it's finances should preferably not be a notorious gambler.

I guess we will see if this has any effect on the outcome of the elections. So far, unfortunately no scandals whatsoever (and there has been a few of different kinds) have discouraged of the dumb fucks of SD voters at all, if anything their numbers have increased.

[Hrafn]

My nerves are on edge at the moment. The preliminary results are scary.

Nazis have been storming voting stations. Vote fraud seems widespread.

[Sentinel]

According to the preliminary results;

The SAP (Social Democratic Workers' Party) gets 31,1 percent. The Red-Green parties (SAP, the Greens and the Left Party) get 44,8 percent - while the right wing Alliance government only gets 29,5!

This means that the government falls. SAP is likely to form a government, together with the Greens and supported by the Left and the Feminist Initiative party (F!).

F! gets exactly 4% which means they enter parliament. But this would still not add up to 50% for the red-green-pink bloc.

The Sweden Democrats get over 10 % and keep their scalesmaster position, despite F!'s entry.

Remember, however, this is only a preliminary result.

[Sentinel]

Next prognosis in 30 minutes

[JahLemon]

Seeing reports of SD winning 13%

[Hrafn]

It is a terrible day, really. No FI in the Riksdag, Left Party gained only 0.1%, the Social Democrats will either rule completely on the whims of SD or ally with a neo-liberal party, I see little to no gains for radical parties (except for a cminor Trotskyist party in a rural municipality. Correct me if I'm wrong), and the Sweden Democrats are by far the third largest party at 12.8%.

I hope this will radicalized the left. We have to realize, this meek anti-racism won't do shit to stop the advance of SD.

At least one good piece of news: from what I can tell, the Party of the Swedes won no mandates?

[Red Commissar]

What was the turnout on these elections?

[blake 3:17]

Sweden's Social Democrats face weak minority government
Anti-immigrant far-right holds balance of power as Stefan Löfven prepares for coalition talks with Greens and other parties

Richard Orange in Malmö
theguardian.com, Monday 15 September 2014 14.00 BST

Sweden's Social Democratic party, which on Sunday ended its longest spell in opposition in a century, faces a weak minority government after the far-right Sweden Democrats emerged as the third-largest party.

In his first speech after the election result, the incoming prime minister, Stefan Löfven, a former welder who built his career in the country's union movement, insisted the new government would be functional.

"I am ready to form a workable government for Sweden," he said. "The Swedish people have turned their backs against tax cuts and privatisations. The Swedish people demanded change."

Mariam Ismail Egal, a Social Democrat campaigner in Malmö, where 40% of people are from an immigrant background, said many in the city were "disappointed and frightened" that the Sweden Democrats had doubled their vote to more than 13%. "I think we are becoming more like France, and I think we will see a lot of conflict and division in our society," she said.

Jimmie Åkesson, the party's leader, was jubilant as preliminary vote counts came in. "We're the absolute kingmaker now," he said. "They can't ignore us the way they have ignored us over the past four years."

With more than 80% of the vote counted, the three main left-of-centre parties had won 43.7%, comfortably more than the centre-right Alliance's 35.3%, but still far short of a majority.

Löfven, who had not previously been elected to public office, struggled against more experienced opponents in the country's eight televised election debates. But his years of backroom union negotiations will be invaluable in forming a government strong enough get the country's budget through parliament in November.

In his victory speech, Löfven ruled out any cooperation with the Sweden Democrats, which, despite the efforts of Åkesson to rebrand it as a non-racist party, has its roots in the Swedish Nazi movement.

"Remember, 87% of Sweden didn't vote for them," he said to the cheers of the activists and journalists gathered at the victory party. "Even if the Sweden Democrats had even higher numbers, we would not cooperate."

Löfven hinted instead at deals with the two smaller parties in the country's rightwing alliance, whose combined 11.5% share would bring them close to a majority. "I want to say that the hand is extended to other democratic parties," he said. "Our country is too small for conflict."

Löfven's bargaining position has been strengthened by his party's unexpectedly strong result. The Social Democrats won 31.2% of the vote, higher than almost all surveys had suggested during the campaign, and ahead of what the party polled in 2010.

Its most likely coalition partners, the Green party, however, took just 6.8% of the vote, after polling above 10% for most of the campaign.

Fredrik Reinfeldt, Sweden's outgoing prime minister, said he would step down on Monday as PM and leader of the Moderate party. "The election is over," he said. "Sweden has made its decision. I will hand in my notice tomorrow. All these years under the Alliance have been fantastic."

Reinfeldt has been lauded internationally for the skill with which his government steered Sweden through the global economic crisis over its eight years in power. But within Sweden, it has faced complaints of falling standards of public services, particularly those operated by private companies under the country's welfare reforms.

Reinfeldt's minority government benefited from the tacit support of the far right, whose MPs voted in favour of an overwhelming majority of their measures. But it has always refused any formal cooperation. Indeed, Reinfeldt began this year's election campaign with a call to Swedes to "open your hearts" to greater numbers of refugees.

[Creative Destruction]

that this guy thinks his party are the kingmakers in the Swedish government is frightening.

[Hrafn]

If I see the results correctly:

The Socialists (who campaigned as The Socialists The Welfare Party) lost their seat in Kinda Municipality, which was held by a crazed rogue cadre of some sorts. Interestingly, they gained two seats in their home municipality of Västervik, going up to 3.

The Communist Party lose big-time. They had seats in three municipalities, and now they lose their sole seat in Karlshamn Municipality. They also lose one of three seats in Lysekil, and one of two in Gislaved.

The Socialist Justice Party keep their two seats in Haninge, but lose electoral support. In Luleå they lose one of three seats. Their splinter, the Workers' Party, seem to keep their two seats in Umeå.

The Swedish Communist Party lost their two seats in Gällivare already in 2013, due to a schism. The reformist splinter, which I'd roughly translate as the Ore Fields' Well-being, keep the seats.

I... think that's it, in regards to seats? Keep in mind, there are 290 municipalities, I believe. Quite an awful year for the parliamentary left.

[Sentinel]

I agree the results of the parliamentary elections are not good, worrying even, despite the bourgeois Alliance government falling. With the history of the SD racists voting along with the bourgeis Alliance parties, it is unlikely the new SAP/Greens government will be able to get much done. New elections at some point are not impossible, even though SAP chairman Löfven seems determined to give it a go first.

As for the Left Party, Löfven has said they will not be let to partake in goverment. Jonas Sjöstedt, the left party chair, replied by declaring the party to be in opposition to the new government - ie they won't give their passive support but have to be negotiated with.

The reason Löfven shut the left out is that he hopes it makes it easier to get support in parliament from the Liberals and the Centre (who are blatant neoliberals).. This was kind of expected, but still disappointing. Both of the former Alliance parties have ruled out any organised cooperation.

One interesting question is however, how will their position as the main left wing opposition to a Social democrat government affect it? Will it go left or right? Will it grow?

Also, will the F!, who didn't make it to parliament, stay in the fight? I think it is likely as they made some gains on municipal level, entering Stockholm city house and lots of other councils, will get even more financial state support in the next elections etc.

As for the Sweden democrats, their huge success was a major setback for our country. Hopefully it will act as an alarm clock to anyone who still didn't take the far right seriously, and more people get organised.

There was a pretty awesome antiracist demo in Stockholm yesterday, as a response. I was there. At least 6000 took to the streets.

I guess another small ray of light in all this is, that at least the city of Stockholm changes hands, as a red-green-pink majority takes over the city house.

[Terror]

I think we can draw the conclusion that the Swedish left has to reevaluate its methods, or rather redirect its energy and resources. It's a shame that the left have lost touch with working class organizations such as ABF (the Workers' Educational Association), the trade unions, and other associations who are historically linked to the workers movement. A socialist party needs the support of a working class movement, which is not the case today in Swedish politics.

[Sentinel]

Today the Swedish parliament voted in Stefan Löfven as the new swedish PM, taking office and announcing his government tomorrow. Less than 38% of the parliament voted in favour of the new SAP-Greens government, as both the bourgeois opposition and the Left party abstained and the Sweden democrats voted against.

Löfven now has to negotiate a budget with the Left party, as the bourgeois parties have put that as a condition to let him through (otherwise it will be backed by fewer than the bourgeois opposition budget). The big question is of course what kind of agreement will be made about profits in the welfare sector.

It is also 'remarkable' that the Left party for the first time abstained rather than voted in favour of a SAP government. Left leader Jonas Sjöstedt commented: 'It is a little historical, as it means that our days as a supporter party are over. We are now a left alternative and an opposition party. We can never be taken for granted.'

This tactic was announced already when Löfven declared he will only accept the Greens as part of his government, shutting out the Left. It will be quite interesting how the Left party will develop politically as well as sizewise in it's role as the only left opposition to a weak SAP government seeking support from the right.

SD voting against Löfven is also worth noting. Should they also choose to back the bourgeios budget rather than abstaining, the government will likely fall and there will be new elections.