At a recent press conference, Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (M) and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) announced that the war in the Middle East is having a significant impact on Sweden's economy.
Next week, the government will present a new forecast for Swedish growth. The forecast is expected to be revised downward, but the assessment from the Ministry of Finance is still that Sweden is doing well compared to many other countries in Europe.
Support for agriculture
The government has already announced an electricity subsidy and a reduction in fuel tax in its spring amending budget. However, to further support both households and industries affected by the energy crisis, the Ministry of Finance is now preparing various subsidies that may become available before the summer and be included in an additional amending budget.
The most immediate priority is to support vulnerable industries such as aviation and agriculture. Ensuring that healthcare has access to aviation fuel is also a priority.
Support for households is also being discussed. The government has already sent a request to the European Commission to further reduce fuel taxes, a measure that would cost SEK 8 billion.
Reduced prices
Other measures that are now being outlined include temporary support for public transport. This would be done through extra funding for the regions, and could result in reduced prices or increased frequency.
Elisabeth Svantesson highlighted public transport in a feature in Aktuellt last week.
If you don't have to use your car, if you don't have to take your car to work, we want to encourage more public transport, she said, adding that it could be about financial incentives to get people to take public transport.
Both the Left Party and the Green Party have proposed support for public transport in their spring budget motions, as a way to support households.
