- This is something new that we have seen in Denmark and in connection with the American presidential election, when you basically send cash to households to compensate for things.
I have not experienced this before, says Henrik Ekengren Oscarsson, professor of political science.
Since the outbreak of the corona crisis, continuing during the war against Ukraine, the government has presented several proposals to compensate for the costs of the crises.
In a support package worth SEK 14 billion, all car owners are promised a one-time payment of SEK 1,000, or SEK 1,500 if they live in certain places in sparsely populated areas.
If the proposal becomes a reality, the money will be paid out at the earliest at the end of the summer.
The same package promises an extension of the electricity price compensation over March in southern and central Sweden.
When that money could come is not clear, but the compensation for December, January and February will start to be paid out now in April.
A temporary increase in the housing allowance for families with children is also proposed.
"No coincidence"
After the government negotiations in January, up to SEK 1,000 was also promised for what is estimated to be close to one million pensioners, money that the government wants to start paying out in August.
- We have been pushing for, for example, the compensation for electricity prices and fuel prices to be paid out as soon as possible, it would be possible to do it faster than what happens.
Now it seems that these payments coincide with the election campaign, it is probably no coincidence, says M's party secretary Gunnar Strömmer.
But Minister of Finance Mikael Damberg (S) defends politics.
- We have a very special situation now with Russia's war in Ukraine that drives up the price of gasoline and diesel and food, vulnerable groups risk getting stuck, who need the car to travel to work.
Or if you are a poor pensioner, it is difficult to manage household expenses.
Then it is reasonable to prioritize vulnerable groups in this situation.