Plays about tax cuts split cooperation parties in Eskilstuna

According to municipal councilor Jari Puustinen (M), a reduction would cost the municipality approximately SEK 100 million.

He believes, among other things, that an efficient municipal operation would free up a lot of money and that the reduction is for the sake of the citizens.

- We have too many employees in Eskilstuna municipality, in the wrong areas.

For example, if you look at the number of employees in Eskilstuna, there are as many as in Västerås, a municipality with 50,000 more inhabitants.

Nacka has half the number of employees that Eskilstuna has, he says.

Went better than expected

Eskilstuna municipality made a good financial result last year and was significantly more positive than expected.

The preliminary financial result ended up at 316 million kroner excluding capital gains, to be compared with the budgeted result which was a total of 134 million kroner.

"Disappearing for good"

Despite this, the chairman of the municipal board, Jimmy Jansson (S), believes that a reduction in the proposed size feels inappropriate, given the investment needs that exist in, among other things, social services, care and schools.

- If you make a good result one year, you should use it to avoid borrowing and maybe build a home for the elderly or a school without having to go to the bank.

If you lower the tax, the money disappears for good, he says.

Does not affect cooperation

Eskilstuna municipality is governed by a coalition government consisting of the Social Democrats, the Moderates and the Center Party.

Even if the Social Democrats do not agree with the proposal, Jimmy Jansson (S) believes that this is not something that creates question marks about future collaborations.

- We are good at finding each other and finding solutions that work for all our parties and all our voters.

We have shown that in two terms of office.

I think it is good that the parties clarify their positions, he says.