Parlamentswahl in Schweden: Kann man mit Klimaschutz noch Wahlen gewinnen?

In late August, Greta Thunberg once again made headlines in her hometown of Stockholm, this time advocating for climate change action instead of Gaza. Alongside around 10,000 others, the 23-year-old protested for Sweden to engage more strongly in climate protection. On September 13, nearly 8.2 million eligible voters were called to choose a new parliament, the Swedish Riksdag.

Unlike in many other countries, climate change still plays a significant role in this election. Could these issues still win elections? Political scientist Andreas Duit believes it is possible that the conservative Tidö government could fall due to its stance on climate change. Many Swedes are disappointed that the ruling coalition has rolled back several climate protection measures, according to the professor at Stockholm University who studies comparative environmental policy.

In recent polls, a left-wing alliance led by the Social Democrats under former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has consistently been ahead. However, the Tidö coalition led by Premier Ulf Kristersson, a minority government supported by the immigration-critical Sweden Democrats, has narrowed the gap. Although the climate euphoria of the 2010s is no longer present in Sweden, the issue remains important to many.

According to a study by the public authority "Naturvärdsverket," 93% of Swedish women and men believe they will be affected by the consequences of the climate crisis now or in the future. Climate deniers play a negligible role in the public discourse. Criticism of restrictive climate policy The conservative government's policies have led to Sweden having the lowest fuel prices in the European Union, but most right-wing voters recognize the need to do something about climate change, says Duit.

The industry has invested heavily in environmental protection measures, hoping to be competitive on global markets. The restrictive climate policy of the Tidö government has therefore faced criticism even within its own ranks. There are also enough parties ready to appeal to the disenchanted voters. The Social Democrats in particular are taking a moderate approach.

Unlike in Germany, they remain stable in polls with 27% and are the strongest force. They aim to present climate protection as necessary but also prevent citizens from facing undue burdens. "Climate change affects your daily life - through the weather, prices, and future jobs," the Social Democrats urge voters. "At the same time, it should be possible to lead a normal life, regardless of where in the country you live."

Even the liberal and rural-oriented Center Party, which polls at 8.6%, advocates a proactive climate policy. Left parties like the Environmental Party and the Left, the Green Party's counterparts in Sweden, call for strong environmental policies. Green parties could potentially trigger a government change and oust the Tidö government.

However, Sweden's current political landscape also allows for much political poker. From a climate activism like Greta Thunberg's to the Green Parties, today's activists no longer wish to see such radicalism. Unlike in 2019, when Andersson praised Thunberg as fantastic and spoke of an "existential crisis," today's Green Party chairs Amanda Lind and Daniel Helldén are portrayed in a calmer light with the slogan "Sweden wins with green politics."

The importance of climate change is no longer as prominent due to numerous other issues confronting the green parties, such as an overburdened healthcare and care system, taxes, migration, school privatization, and geopolitical threats from Russia or trade conflicts. Despite all the urgency, Greta Thunberg is again out and about in Swedish cities, posting on Instagram on Sunday, "Let's make this election a climate election!"