Damberg, who is the economic-political spokesperson for the Social Democrats, is critical of the government's largest contribution being delayed until 2027 and 2028, during the next term of office.
It doesn't seem like this government understands the gravity of the situation and doesn't realize that Sweden risks falling behind, not least now when Sweden has such weak growth. We're at the bottom of the European rankings, and then research should be highly prioritized, he says.
In our budget, we're allocating 700 million kronor more than the government for research and innovation next year. We're showing that it's possible to make investments here and now that benefit the business sector and universities.
Anders Ådahl, the Center Party's spokesperson for research and higher education, calls the government's research proposal a disappointment.
"It lacks entirely new reforms. Instead, it consists of more money for the current system that doesn't deliver well enough. With this proposal, the government continues to lock our researchers into an unfree system", he says in a written comment.
"The Center Party wants to reform the financing system fundamentally, so that universities become more independent and less dependent on politicians' dictates. Only then can research become freer and Sweden regain its role as a knowledge nation at the forefront", he continues.
