Sweden: Political Developments and Data in 2022

Abstract

The year 2022 in Swedish politics was historic for several reasons. Following the war between Russia and Ukraine, Sweden broke with its long tradition of non-alignment and submitted an application for membership of NATO. After a closely fought election, a right-of-centre minority coalition took office, depending on support from the previously isolated Sweden Democrats. At least initially, the change of government seemed to signify a change to more stability, after several turbulent years since 2014. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic more or less disappeared, but the new government faced several other challenges, including rising energy prices and growing inflationary pressure. The Liberals changed leader. A constitutional amendment was adopted which, according to critics, would make investigative journalism more difficult.