It is in a letter addressed to the Ministry of Finance that the regional leaders sound the alarm about the squeezed economic situation.
It appeals to the finance minister for temporary financial support from the state – including in the form of general government grants – and wants it to come as early as this year. Otherwise, a protracted healthcare crisis threatens.
The letter is signed by six regional leaders in southern Sweden – both the Moderates and the Social Democrats.
"All regions are affected by this, so it's not surprising. There are both regions led by Moderates and Social Democrats that are equally affected, therefore we can also support this, says Mikael Johansson (M), chairman of the regional board Kronoberg.
"Need money now"
The Social Democratic regional leader in Blekinge describes the economic situation as historically difficult:
"It is a strength that we are both Social Democrats and Moderates, because it shows the seriousness of the issue. We need money, we need it now and we need it above all also in 2024, says Christina Mattisson (S), chairman of the regional board Blekinge.
Returning this autumn
Inflation requires a tight budget, according to the finance minister. If there is any money, it will not be relevant until the autumn.
"I understand that people want an answer earlier, but we have to see how the economy develops and we will negotiate different parts of the budget – welfare, defense, police and other things – so we cannot give an answer today and we will return in the autumn," says Elisabeth Svantesson (M).
On Sunday, there will be an extended special broadcast from Agenda on the state of the Swedish economy. Researchers and politicians from all eight parliamentary parties will come to the studio to answer questions about how households and society will cope with high inflation. Agenda Special 21.15.