Dadgostar on the government: Are in a different galaxy

After an autumn marked by political scandals, the party leaders clashed in a debate on SVT's Agenda. And they disagreed immediately about taxes and benefits.

» Published: October 13 2024

Dadgostar on the government: Are in a different galaxy
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

Share this article

This evening's first topic was taxes and benefits, and above all whether the government and the Sweden Democrats are doing the right thing when they prioritize tax cuts.

Nearly half of the reform space of 60 billion kronor goes to various tax cuts. And most of it goes to those who earn the most.

It's completely detached from reality, says S leader Magdalena Andersson.

She would have instead wanted to see investments in families with children and welfare.

"Completely absurd"

V leader Nooshi Dadgostar also attacks the government for prioritizing tax cuts in a situation where both families with children and regions are struggling to make ends meet.

It's completely absurd. They haven't just lost touch with reality, they're in a different galaxy, she says.

But Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) defends that high-income earners receive larger tax cuts, both in kronor and ören and in percent, in the government's budget, since they also pay more in taxes.

It's right and fair. More people will want to work more if the marginal tax is reduced.

Divided in the opposition

The government parties and the Sweden Democrats are targeting the opposition parties' shadow budgets, which diverge significantly when it comes to taxes. Above all, the Center Party stands out, which in some points wants to cut taxes more than the government.

The only thing that's possibly more unpredictable than the Social Democrats' lottery is Magdalena Andersson's government base, says KD leader Ebba Busch.

Even under the next topic – anti-Semitism and Islamophobia – the debate heated up.

V leader Dadgostar has previously had to defend herself against anti-Semitism within the party, where several party representatives have been investigated or expelled for spreading hate against Jews.

We will never pit people and groups against each other, it's in our DNA. We will never, ever blame Swedish Jews for what a regime does far away from here, she says.

The Left Party has gigantic problems with this. It permeates the entire Swedish left, replied Jimmie Åkesson.

Gave a phone number on a note

There was also a row between KD on one side and S and C on the other in the energy issue, where the latter accused the government of not inviting them to cross-block talks on Sweden's energy supply.

Then Busch walked over to Andersson and handed her a note.

Here's my number. I'm completely serious. I'd be happy to meet for this, Sweden needs it.

All party leaders participated in Agenda's party leader debate on SVT, which lasted for two hours.

The topics that were debated were:

Taxes and benefits

Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia

Youth crime

Nuclear power and wind power

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

NATO to Set Up Signal Company in Sweden's Enköping
1 MIN READ

NATO to Set Up Signal Company in Sweden's Enköping

Kiruna Faces Major Relocation as 6,000 Residents Must Move Due to Mining
2 MIN READ

Kiruna Faces Major Relocation as 6,000 Residents Must Move Due to Mining

Five Dead in Sundbyberg Elevator Crash; CEO and Fitters Charged
2 MIN READ

Five Dead in Sundbyberg Elevator Crash; CEO and Fitters Charged

Kiruna Residents Face Relocation as LKAB Expands Iron Ore Mine
2 MIN READ

Kiruna Residents Face Relocation as LKAB Expands Iron Ore Mine

Teenager Seriously Injured in Öland A-Traktor Accident
1 MIN READ

Teenager Seriously Injured in Öland A-Traktor Accident

Christian Democrats Lead in Taxpayer-Funded Party Expenses
3 MIN READ

Christian Democrats Lead in Taxpayer-Funded Party Expenses

E4 Closed in Both Directions After Truck Accident Near Gävle
1 MIN READ

E4 Closed in Both Directions After Truck Accident Near Gävle

Värmdö Demands Action After Fatal Bridge Accident
2 MIN READ

Värmdö Demands Action After Fatal Bridge Accident

Unique Spiked Dinosaur Spicomellus Discovered in Africa
3 MIN READ

Unique Spiked Dinosaur Spicomellus Discovered in Africa

Housing Costs Threaten Participation at Climate Summit in Brazil
2 MIN READ

Housing Costs Threaten Participation at Climate Summit in Brazil

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder After Flemingsberg Shooting
1 MIN READ

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder After Flemingsberg Shooting

Chinese Goods Most Frequently Seized by EU Customs in 2024
1 MIN READ

Chinese Goods Most Frequently Seized by EU Customs in 2024

Harmful Boxwood Moth Spreading Rapidly Across Sweden
1 MIN READ

Harmful Boxwood Moth Spreading Rapidly Across Sweden

Man Found Dead in Kristinehamn Archipelago; Murder Investigation Launched
1 MIN READ

Man Found Dead in Kristinehamn Archipelago; Murder Investigation Launched

Shooting in Flemingsberg Leaves Two Men Injured
1 MIN READ

Shooting in Flemingsberg Leaves Two Men Injured

Scania Healthcare Workers Urge Sweden to Accept Gaza Patients
1 MIN READ

Scania Healthcare Workers Urge Sweden to Accept Gaza Patients

Person Released After Detention in Kallhäll Double Murder Case
1 MIN READ

Person Released After Detention in Kallhäll Double Murder Case

SOS Alarm Resolves Nationwide Technical Issues Affecting Ambulance Dispatch
1 MIN READ

SOS Alarm Resolves Nationwide Technical Issues Affecting Ambulance Dispatch

Two Seriously Injured in Head-On Collision on E14 in Åre
1 MIN READ

Two Seriously Injured in Head-On Collision on E14 in Åre

6,000 Residents to Relocate as Kiruna Mine Expansion Continues
1 MIN READ

6,000 Residents to Relocate as Kiruna Mine Expansion Continues