In her major speech at the Social Democratic Party Congress in Gothenburg, Magdalena Andersson is not only speaking to the congress delegates, but to everyone in Sweden. And the message is bleak.
We are facing a time when crises and profound shifts risk becoming the new normal, says Andersson.
Russia's war against Ukraine, the US trade war, and the weakening of international institutions are turning the world order upside down and creating unpredictability, both in terms of security policy and economics.
But we know one thing. The world of yesterday no longer exists. It will never come back.
The uncertain global situation poses entirely new demands on everyone, not least on politicians, Andersson believes. For her part, she intends to follow three principles if she becomes Prime Minister again after the 2026 election.
Sacrifices are required
One is to strengthen Sweden's internal and external security and increase "the collective resilience."
This will require sacrifices from all of us. More will be called up for military exercises and will be deployed for longer. More will do their military service, she says.
Crime will be met with an entirely new approach, she promises, even if sentences will continue to be toughened and the judicial system strengthened.
We, in here, our party, the whole of Sweden must be prepared to try new things to address this trend.
She later mentions a proposal to target young people at risk of being drawn into crime as an example of new thinking. But the development of crime may require the party to go further than what the congress is now deciding.
Increased community
The second principle is that Sweden's prosperity should grow and be noticeable in people's wallets and daily lives. For example, the congress has decided on increased child benefits and abolished the qualifying deduction.
The third principle is increased social cohesion.
I want the Swedish flag to be raised on every town square and for it to mean something.
We will have a strict migration policy in Sweden. We will have a requirement-based integration policy. But racism, division, and suspicion? No – never. That is not Sweden.
One thing that is not mentioned at all in Andersson's long speech is the climate threat.
I spoke for nearly 40 minutes, but if I had spoken for 50, I would have had room for that too, she says after the speech.
The climate did make itself known, however, as some climate activists shouted slogans just as Andersson was about to begin her speech. The activists were quickly escorted out.
