On 17 January 2023, the Swedish Prime Minister presented the priorities and activities of the Presidency at the plenary session of the EU Parliament in Strasbourg. Swedish Socialist Group (S&D) MEP Helene Fritzon doubts the plans of the newly elected Swedish centre-right government. Although Sweden has a good reputation in the areas of democracy, climate and equal rights, a dismantling of climate and equality policy is noticeable, and questions of democracy would be neglected.

In any case, social policy issues do not stand out in the Presidency's list of priorities. The four main issues include:

• Security
• Competitiveness
• Green and energy transition
• Democratic values and the rule of law

Security and stability in Europe

“If the hope for democracy’s future is in Ukraine, Ukraine’s hope lies with us”: with these words, Ukraine is assured of continued political, military and humanitarian support. In addition, measures for reconstruction and reforms for EU integration are also necessary. In order to strengthen the security of the EU and its people, a solid European security and defence policy is to be created in close cooperation with all countries. “Free movement in the EU should not mean free movement of criminal activities; a common and coherent migration policy is essential”, Ulf Kristersson said. Malin Björk, Swedish MEP from the Left Group in the European Parliament (The Left), expressed concern about statements like these and hopes for a humane migration policy. This view is shared by Abir Al- Sahlani from the Renew Europe Group, who sees the government's restrictive migration policy in her own country as a "warning signal", to say the least.

Resilience-Competitiveness

In addition to the high level of political attention required by the war in Ukraine, there is also to be a focus on the economic development of the Union. However, in the spirit of the 30th anniversary of the EU’s single market the market-liberal course is to be continued under the Swedish Presidency. With a new, long-term strategy, the Swedish Prime Minister wants to boost economic growth, strengthen competitiveness and increase trade. For AK, it is in any case clear that a fairly designed framework is needed to achieve this: labour crime and social dumping must be fought, European competitiveness must not be based on low wages and poor working and environmental conditions.

Transition to an environmentally friendly economy and society

The Swedish Council Presidency will continue its efforts to address the current energy crisis. A proposal from the Commission on the decoupling of electricity prices from gas prices is expected soon. AK is convinced that the EU-wide implementation of the "Iberian model" would contribute significantly to reducing the economic costs of this crisis. In addition, core legal acts of the "Fit for 55" package of July 2021 are to be finalised under the Swedish Presidency, not least the revisions of the Renewable Energy Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive. In the area of the environment, one of the goals is the adoption of a Council position on the Nature Restoration Law.

Upholding the EU's fundamental values

Even though upholding the principle of the rule of law and fundamental rights remains a key challenge under the Swedish Council Presidency, it is questionable whether there will be a turnaround in countries like Poland and Hungary concerning this matter. Malin Björk (The Left) has voiced her concern but hopes for positive surprises.

Employment and social policy

AK already regretted the lack of own social policy priorities under the previous Czech Council Presidency, which is now continuing under the current Presidency. In the social policy part of its work programme, the Swedish Presidency only mentions those dossiers that have already been presented or announced by the Commission, here, the work in the Council is to be continued. In the area of worker protection, this includes the Asbestos Directive and the Chemical Agents Directive, as well as the continuation of work on the Platform Work Directive, the social dialogue and the Equal Treatment Authorities. The three Swedish trade union confederations LO, TCO and SACO also point to low ambitions in this area, which is why they have presented their own priorities for the Swedish Council Presidency.

Further information:

Council of the European Union: Trio Presidency Programme

Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union: The Swedish Presidency programme

AK EUROPA: France takes over EU Council Presidency for the first six months of 2022

AK EUROPA: Priorities of the Czech EU Council Presidency