The Big Bad Swedish Politics & News Thread

[Antonio the Sixth]

So, the Social Democrats being 1 point up from their (post-1920) all-time low is now considered good news? Oh Sweden, you used to be so awesome...

And Sweden Democrats at 7%. Countdown before the traditional right cuts a deal...

[Antonio the Sixth]

So, the Social Democrats being 1 point up from their (post-1920) all-time low is now considered good news? Oh Sweden, you used to be so awesome...

And Sweden Democrats at 7%. Countdown before the traditional right cuts a deal...

Sweden is an objectively awesome place.

True, but its awesomeness results mostly from the legacy of its past.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Oh Sweden, you used to be so awesome...

Though I am a firm believer in Swedish awsomeness, I'm not sure our history of one-party rule is one of our more awsome sides.    

I'm generally not fond of one-party rule... but if said party happens to be the SAP, I'm willing to make an exception.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Thank God Sweden is a parliamentary regime where people vote based on party affiliation rather than personal preference.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I actually thought that, with the debt crisis and all, the anti-EU side would have a majority... If we manage to resolve this crisis without further damage (huge if, mind you), EU might not be completely dead yet.

[Antonio the Sixth]

From what I know of Swedish politics, the Center Party used to be the most moderate element of the Alliance. It's sad to see them go completely insane, because they have a useful spot to occupy in the political landscape.

[Antonio the Sixth]

From what I know of Swedish politics, the Center Party used to be the most moderate element of the Alliance. It's sad to see them go completely insane, because they have a useful spot to occupy in the political landscape.

The nice thing about Scandinavia, is that there is always someone who place themselves at the centre. But centre parties do have a tendence to go insane this way thanks to part of their voter segment (urban proffesional) and their ideology (liberalism). So it's good to clean out once in a while when they turn too insane. Denmark could also use that the Social Liberals collapsed, someone other took their position instead.

Is that indicative or conditional? I've not been following Danish politics since the election, did something happen to Radikale Venstre?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Hopefully the trends keep going in that direction until 2014... I remember that in 2010 the Left coalition had a lead early on which eroded throughout the campaign. Is Löfven competent, campaign-wise?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Well, that's quite promising. I want to be optimistic and expect Sweden to come back to its glorious traditions.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Yeah, if the left coalition doesn't win an outright majority things could get messy very soon... It's awful how strong Sweden Democrats are polling.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Meh, Reinfeldt is not to bad for a European rightist so I wouldn't really mind him as EC President. He can't be worse than Barroso.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Meh, Reinfeldt is not to bad for a European rightist so I wouldn't really mind him as EC President. He can't be worse than Barroso.

Are you sure? Reinfeldt would be very pro-austerity, and would probably back the Merkel economic plan 100%.

Barroso didn't?

That said, yeah, generally speaking having, a South European now might be a safer path.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Monti?

Monti would be a great choice actually. He fought for EuroBonds and more pro-growth policies, and he's gained a solid standing among other European leaders (though he's hated at home...).

[Antonio the Sixth]

I like how you don't even seem to consider the idea that EPP might loose the election.

I'm a generally optimistic person, but... that's not happening.

They will probably lose a couple seats, which is already something.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Also, even as a left winger I can say that the people who said you should vote red-green because we'd get a female PM are morons. Competence should always come first, and that's why I'd never support an Engström government in any way.

Well I believe most people (left- or right-wing) found that argument stupid, and some people bringing it up probably just did more harm than any good. And naturally you wouldn't support an Engström government, the day SSU members start backing Moderate lead goverments, I will start to be worried where this country is going.

The same argument was brought up with Ségolène Royal. You can guess what is my opinion of these people...

[Antonio the Sixth]

Eurozone leaders (France and Germany) will want one leader from them to be next leader of European Union to not show weakness. That takes Reinfeldt out equation.

Please don't post statements about stuff you clearly have no understanding off.

Talking of that, Hollande and Merkel aren't very close. Through, if I remember well, Monti and Hollande often sided together, against Merkel during meetings, according to media.

Indeed. There's no such a thing as "Eurozone leaders". There's the pro-austerity North and the pro-growth South (with France somewhere in between, but increasingly leaning toward the latter).

[Antonio the Sixth]

Personally, I think Anna Kinberg Batra could be someone to watch out for.

Her gaffe "People from Stockholm are smarter than people from the country side" will hunt her forever though.

Sweden, the place where right-wingers are the urban elitists and left-wingers are the rural rednecks.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Red-Green is nearing 50%!

The election is held in fall 2014 though, right?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Why are Löfven's approvals so mediocre? Based on what you guys said, I'd have expected him to be on par with Reinfeldt.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Wait, what are "companies in the welfare sector"? You mean insurance companies?

[Antonio the Sixth]

My solution would be, stop funding these companies and give this money to the public hospitals and schools instead. If you want to be a for-profit company, there's no reason the State should subsidize you.

[Antonio the Sixth]

My solution would be, stop funding these companies and give this money to the public hospitals and schools instead. If you want to be a for-profit company, there's no reason the State should subsidize you.

Ah but then you get the problem that only the wealthy can buy private alternatives. I can assure you that it's not a solution that'd be accepted by anyone on the swedish left.

Who cares, as long as the public options are of good quality?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Well, yeah. I'm pretty sure that if public utilities were properly financed waiting wouldn't be much of a problem.

[Antonio the Sixth]

The unfortunate marketisation of vital public services hasn't contributed much at all to our growth, except for the obvious growth of profit-seeking interests in the welfare sector, I guess.

Well naturally you would say that, you're a left-winger.

And naturally you would object, you're a right-winger.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I like giving Sweden its own thread.