Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

The Opposition: Which Planet Are They On?

The opposition is deeply critical of the government's announcement to abolish the flight tax. It is an extremely irresponsible climate policy, says spokesperson Amanda Lind (Green Party).

» Updated: 06 October 2024, 13:33

» Published: 03 September 2024

The Opposition: Which Planet Are They On?
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

At a press conference on measures to increase Swedish growth, the government presented, among other things, the decision to abolish the disputed air travel tax from next summer.

What planet are they on when they think that abolishing air travel tax will save Swedish growth? asks Vänsterpartiet's economic policy spokesperson Ida Gabrielsson.

She means that what northern Sweden needs right now is not people flying in and out, but housing so that the workforce can live there.

"Not serious"

Miljöpartiet's spokesperson Amanda Lind says that air travel must pay for its climate costs.

This government presents policy after policy that increases emissions instead. The reduction obligation, air travel tax, making it difficult for wind power expansion – it's not serious climate policy.

The government does not expect emissions to increase to a higher degree, since air travel will be regulated more strictly through new EU rules in the coming years.

MP wants to double the air travel tax and also wants it to remain when the new EU rules are introduced.

Most of all EU citizens live in countries that have an air travel tax, it's not unusual. What's unusual is that the government is backing down on climate policy when we need to do the exact opposite, says Lind.

Increased emissions

Ida Gabrielsson also points out that EU rules do not cover travel outside the EU, which the air travel tax does.

For Swedish growth, it's a non-decision, and for the climate, it means increased emissions, she says.

Socialdemokraterna's economic policy spokesperson Mikael Damberg is not as clear.

It's good that air travel is entering the ETS system (emission trading), it's something we've strived for with the new Fit for 55. But now the government is choosing to trick and abolish the air travel tax before the new system is in place, we'll examine and see if it's wise or not.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

The Government Seeks Support for Those Affected by Northvolt
1 MIN READ

The Government Seeks Support for Those Affected by Northvolt

The regional tax will be raised next year
1 MIN READ

The regional tax will be raised next year

Astra Zeneca's China Chief Arrested by Police
1 MIN READ

Astra Zeneca's China Chief Arrested by Police

More rate cuts - but risk of turmoil with Trump
2 MIN READ

More rate cuts - but risk of turmoil with Trump

Svantesson: Trump's policy may increase inflation
2 MIN READ

Svantesson: Trump's policy may increase inflation

Major Banks Lower Mortgage Rates
1 MIN READ

Major Banks Lower Mortgage Rates

Central Bank Economist: Central Bank Cuts Interest Rate Too Late
2 MIN READ

Central Bank Economist: Central Bank Cuts Interest Rate Too Late

How You Are Affected by Lowered Interest Rates
2 MIN READ

How You Are Affected by Lowered Interest Rates

Thedéen expects turmoil after Trump's victory
2 MIN READ

Thedéen expects turmoil after Trump's victory

Inflation upswing does not threaten interest rate cuts
3 MIN READ

Inflation upswing does not threaten interest rate cuts

Stockholm Stock Exchange rises after interest rate cut
1 MIN READ

Stockholm Stock Exchange rises after interest rate cut

Most up on Asian stock exchanges
1 MIN READ

Most up on Asian stock exchanges

This is how your wallet can be affected by Trump's victory
2 MIN READ

This is how your wallet can be affected by Trump's victory

Cheerful on Wall Street after Trump win
1 MIN READ

Cheerful on Wall Street after Trump win

Thousand-kronor notes to be picked up when the Central Bank increases the pace
3 MIN READ

Thousand-kronor notes to be picked up when the Central Bank increases the pace

Swish up and running again after disruption
1 MIN READ

Swish up and running again after disruption

Trump's company is soaring on the stock exchange
1 MIN READ

Trump's company is soaring on the stock exchange

Swedish Export Threatened by Trump Victory
2 MIN READ

Swedish Export Threatened by Trump Victory

Sameby's appeal against mining company rejected
1 MIN READ

Sameby's appeal against mining company rejected

Inflation Expectations Fall
1 MIN READ

Inflation Expectations Fall