Moderaterna unveils election manifesto and addresses local party splits

The Moderate Party (Moderaterna) has released a 226-point election manifesto, pledging full financing for its promises. Key proposals include lowering taxes for low- and middle-income earners, abolishing preschool fees, and making employer-paid monthly transit passes tax-free. The party aims for Sweden to achieve the highest standard of living in the EU within ten years, targeting a 50 percent increase in real wages and a halving of social assistance recipients.

To fund these initiatives, which are estimated to cost approximately 78 billion SEK, the party plans to prioritize budget reallocations within bureaucracy, subsidies, and foreign aid. A budget proposal is expected this autumn, featuring spending cuts for most agencies, excluding defense, justice, and infrastructure. The party also intends to reduce structural unemployment through stricter migration policies and benefit reforms.

Separately, party leader Ulf Kristersson addressed internal friction within the party in the Sörmland region. In Eskilstuna and Katrineholm, internal disagreements led to the departure of top politicians and the formation of new local parties, such as ‘Ett bättre Eskilstuna’ and ‘Katrineholm framåt’. Kristersson characterized these local disputes as ‘nothing dramatic’.