At the Green Party's congress in Västerås, the party has decided never to support new nuclear power in Sweden. Spokesperson Daniel Helldén stresses that the Greens must hold ministerial posts in a future government, while criticizing the Social Democrats. The decisions could create friction ahead of the 2026 election.
The Green Party's congress in Västerås, held around October 18–19, 2025, resulted in decisions that could potentially complicate matters for the Social Democrats ahead of the 2026 election. The party, led by spokespersons including Daniel Helldén, clearly demanded ministerial posts in a future government. Helldén emphasized in an interview with Dagens Nyheter that it is a given for the Greens to participate in government work.
A central issue was nuclear power. Helldén stated: “We will never contribute to new nuclear power in Swedish energy production.” This stance opposes the Social Democrats' line, which analyses suggest may be more open to nuclear energy. SVT political commentator Mats Knutson noted that several Green Party decisions, including this one, risk forcing the Social Democrats to change or avoid associations during the campaign.
The Greens' criticism of the Social Democrats was also sharp. The party called them “quite bad” in a related statement from the congress on October 18. The decisions are seen as a way for the Greens to assert their environmental profile, but they could throw sand in the Social Democratic election machinery. The congress took place in Västerås, a city in Västmanland, and reflects the Greens' strategy to strengthen their position in a potential coalition.
No direct contradictions emerged in the reports, but the tensions between the parties are highlighted as a challenge for future collaborations.