Social Democrats' economic-political spokesperson Mikael Damberg accuses the Moderate Party of squandering its responsible legacy from Anders Borg and Fredrik Reinfeldt. He highlights large budget deficits, rising unemployment, and criticism from experts like the Fiscal Policy Council. Damberg warns that current policies burden future generations.
In a debate article in Dagens Nyheter, Mikael Damberg, the Social Democrats' economic-political spokesperson, writes that the Moderate Party has changed since the Borg and Reinfeldt era. Previously, the party respected facts and experts, but now they attack their own agencies, according to Damberg.
After four years with the Tidö government, he describes a Swedish economy with low growth and rising unemployment. The government has borrowed hundreds of billions of kronor, and this year's deficit is expected to be the largest in 30 years outside the pandemic. The state's total deficit is projected at 363 billion kronor for the mandate period.
Criticism has come from the Swedish National Audit Office, which noted that the government fails to meet fiscal targets. The Social Democrats have filed a constitutional committee complaint against Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (M). Last week, the Fiscal Policy Council, founded by Anders Borg in 2007, issued its most severe criticism ever against a government. The council warns of irresponsible policy with rising interest costs and inefficient measures.
Svantesson has responded by criticizing the experts and posted on social media: 'Won't apologize.' Damberg worries that the Sweden Democrats' influence has led to populist priorities, such as refusing an energy agreement – something Energy Minister Ebba Busch (KD) called election tactics that raise electricity prices.
He contrasts this with the 2000s focus on evidence-based policy and calls for long-term reforms for growth, jobs, and welfare.
