Social Democrats admit climate targets now “very difficult” under current government

Swedish Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson has acknowledged that meeting the country’s 2030 climate goals has become “very difficult” under the present government, following sharp criticism from the Green Party over her party’s fuel tax policies.

In an SVT documentary, Green Party co-leader Amanda Lind accused the Social Democrats of “fuel populism” for proposing tax cuts on petrol and diesel this spring, arguing the move undermines climate efforts. “There are other ways to do this,” Lind said. “It doesn’t always have to be the knee-jerk reaction of ‘let’s lower fuel prices.’”

Andersson defended the proposal, framing it as a measure to curb inflation driven by rising fuel costs. “You risk importing inflation into the economy through petrol prices, which is why we’ve proposed a tax cut,” she told SVT. Pressed on whether the Greens had overlooked this economic angle, she replied, “Different assessments can be made, but that’s been our reasoning for judging it a reasonable step.”

When asked whether Sweden could still meet its 2030 climate targets, Andersson offered no assurances. “It’s become very difficult with this government,” she said. On the Greens’ claim that they are prepared to take necessary action, she responded: “I see it will be difficult. Now we’ll have to see what happens in the Strait of Hormuz and what that means for fuel prices going forward.”