On Wednesday evening, the nonsocialist government voted to build the new football stadium, in connection with the municipality's investment budget. 26 members voted in favour, 16 against and nine chose to abstain.

The new arena will have a capacity of 6,300 spectators, at a construction cost of SEK 257 million. The arena is budgeted at SEK 119 million in 2024. But the construction will last more than a year.

Turbulent weeks

It was at the municipal executive board meeting in early June that Center Party member Johan Hilding chose to vote for the opposition's proposal to postpone the arena construction for three years. But the decision stirred up strong emotions and Hilding later announced that he will abstain from voting in the city council.

– It is my wife and daughter who have not felt so well, I have considered everything and therefore I have made this decision, said Johan Hilding to SVT last week.

Inger Axelsson (C) has stepped in as a replacement for Hilding and she has today voted yes to the new arena.

Also threats and hatred against Annette Myrvold

Värnamo municipality's opposition councillor Annette Myrvold (S) has also been subjected to hate and threats in connection with the political tours around the arena.

"My mailbox has been filled with leftovers," she said from the lectern during today's city council.

"Frightening people into silence is nothing more than a threat to democracy.

More on that in the clip below:

Javascript is disabled

Javascript must be turned on to play video

Learn more about browser support

Also threats and hatred against Värnamo's opposition councillor Anetté Myrvold (S) Photo: Pernilla Bursell/SVT