The proposal was on the negotiating table when the government parties and the Sweden Democrats negotiated the spring budget. According to SVT News, several sources claim that it would have meant that an extra child allowance would be paid out for a month. It was estimated to cost the state approximately 2.5 billion kronor.
The purpose of the proposal was both to stimulate the economy as a whole and to support families with poor economy. But the proposal did not receive any support from the Sweden Democrats.
For some reason, they have been skeptical of supporting households and their resistance has been unusually tough, says a source with insight to SVT.
The spring budget will be presented on April 15. The Sweden Democrats' press chief Oskar Cavalli Björkman comments on the allegations in writing to SVT:
"Out of respect for our internal negotiations, we will not contribute to any silly rumor-mongering about the parties' respective priorities. Our joint stance will be clearly presented when the whole is eventually presented."
Tobias Baudin, party secretary for the Social Democrats, lashes out at the allegations:
"If the Sweden Democrats have blocked an extra child allowance in the midst of a cost crisis, it is a deep betrayal of the country's families. This means that Jimmie Åkesson precisely chooses to lower taxes for the very richest instead of supporting Sweden's families. It becomes clear to me that the Sweden Democrats are an irresponsible and detached party that does not see how ordinary people struggle to make ends meet", says Baudin in a written comment to TT.
