The Latest Good, Bad and Ugly News from Sweden

The Good

Now There Are Plans for ‘e-Krona’ in Cash-Shy Sweden

Sweden is becoming increasingly cashless. Credit and debit cards are now by far the most common mode of payment while mobile payments have become as common as cash. A parliament committee has proposed that the largest banks should be forced to handle cash in an effort to halt the development. This year, only 13 percent of Swedes paid for their most recent purchase in cash, down from 39 percent in 2010. Read the full story.

The Bad

Sweden predicted to face downturn after economic boom.

According to the National Institute on Economic Research, Sweden’s growth rate will peak at 2.4 percent this year and then come to a halt in 2019. Moreover, while the unemployment rate is expected to continue to sink in the coming year and dip to 6.2 percent, it will then start to rise, the Institute’s latest prognosis states. Read the full story.

The Ugly

After the failure of centre-right Ulf Kristersson (left) to form a government, the Social Democrat leader Stefan Löfven (right) is currently leading the Swedish government coalition negotiations. © News Øresund – Johan Wessman (CC BY 3.0)

The battle for which party will lead the next Swedish government drags on. Support for the far-right Sweden Democrats rose significantly in the election on 9 September (it is now the third-biggest party with 17.5% of votes and 62 parliamentary seats), while mainstream parties both on the left and the right declined. Read the full story.