"We have set the goal that Sweden will become the EU's richest country. It may sound like a lofty ambition, but it is not an impossible task," says Prime Minister and M leader Ulf Kristersson.
At a press conference, he explains what the path to becoming the richest in the EU looks like, that is, having the highest GDP per capita by 2035. The assessment is that average annual growth should rise from today's 2.1 percent to just over 3 percent over the next ten years.
To achieve this, M wants to protect strong public finances, ensure that more people work and fewer live on benefits, and strengthen Sweden as an investment nation. The latter is what the party wants to do by lowering corporate tax, introducing more generous employee stock options, shorter permit processes, and introducing a new deduction they call a super deduction for research and development.
The proposal is already before the Legislative Council and is estimated to cost SEK 7 billion.
Not everything can be done at the same time, but requires prioritization, according to M's deputy party leader, Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson.
"I think number one is to prioritize the super deduction," she says.
The purpose of increasing growth is, among other things, to ensure that there are sufficient resources for welfare and to expand defense and the justice system.
