The start of 2023 saw Sweden take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. Its priorities for the next six months will be security, resilience, the green transition and democratic values in the EU and were highlighted in a speech by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in the European Parliament on Tuesday.
"Our first priority is to promote the European Union by supporting Ukraine and highlighting the EU's significance in an uncertain world," Kristersson told EU leaders at this week's plenary in Strasbourg.
The Swedish premier dedicated much of his speech to Ukraine and reaffirmed the EU's support for the wartorn country, adding that Russia had "underestimated" both Ukraine and EU unity in response to its invasion. Sweden's security concerns put migration at the top of the agenda.
"When building security we must look at freedom of movement," Kristersson added, "(and make) room to step up the fight against organised crime, create a common and coherent migration policy while managing the current situation with the tools available to us."
Nationalism looms
As previously reported, Sweden's far-right exerts a growing influence on the government. The far-right Sweden Democrats party won 20.5% of the vote but was formally excluded from the government. However, they strongly influence the government’s policy from the outside as they have the same say in policy-making as the three parties in the government as regards domestic policies, including migration and integration.
How much the Sweden Democrats can deflect the Council Presidency priorities is unclear given that the objectives were already laid out in an 18-month programme created together with France and the Czech Republic. Yet as each country takes the presidency, they have room to bend policy towards their national will.
Based on the Swedish presidency's programme, the focus will shift to security and migration – particularly the EU's Migration Pact, which bolsters the bloc's external borders and leans towards a tougher stance on those entering the EU (or attempting to) from outside.
Climate division
Kristersson highlighted Sweden's commitment to reaching objectives outlined in the EU's Fit for 55 package, which aims to curb greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels). The EU's long-term goal is to become climate neutral by 2050.
Yet Sweden's climate priorities are at odds with those of the Sweden Democrats, whose leader Jimmie Åkesson denied on SVT that there is a climate crisis at all, describing the focus as a "new religion".
Swedish media outlet Altinget has reported about a secret appendix to the agreement between the Sweden Democrats and the government parties according to which the Sweden Democrats will be consulted on EU affairs. The Sweden Democrats may have stronger sway in climate matters than anticipated in the statement on 18 October 2022 of the government's policy.
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According to Altinget, the Sweden Democrats could push for revisions of directives such as that on carbon dioxide emissions for heavy vehicles as well as an energy taxation directive. Whilst this may not necessarily reverse the progress made on these fronts, it could see measures diluted.
Whether the Sweden Democrats will succeed in pushing through its stances against the rest of the Swedish political establishment remains to be seen. Sweden holds the European Council Presidency until 30 June, after which Madrid will take the helm.
The first major meeting during the Swedish EU Presidency took place in Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city, last week. The Swedish Prime Minister had invited the European Commission for talks with the Swedish government on the priorities of the Presidency and current issues on the EU agenda.
In a statement by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a joint press conference on 13 January with the Swedish Prime Minister, she expressed the Commission’s expectations. Sweden is taking over at a very crucial time, she said, and thanked Sweden that it has made Ukraine the first priority of the Presidency.
The other three priorities, according to von der Leyen, are energy, including a reform of the energy market, the delivery of the second half of the European Green Deal and support to Europe’s clean-tech industry.
