Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has unveiled the government’s 2025 Statement of Government Policy in the Riksdag, setting out an ambitious agenda built around law and order, stricter migration rules, stronger welfare, and investments in growth and innovation.
The speech, delivered on 9 September, was framed as a turning point: a shift from years of instability toward what Kristersson called “a more secure and more successful Sweden.”
Crackdown on gang crime
At the heart of the program is an unprecedented offensive against organised crime. The government pledges tougher penalties, expanded police powers including real-time AI surveillance, and new rules to revoke citizenship from dual nationals convicted of serious gang-related crimes. A landmark agreement with Estonia will provide 600 additional prison places, underlining the scale of the crackdown.
Tighter migration and integration policies
Kristersson emphasised that asylum-related immigration has been cut to its lowest level since 1985. The government plans to push even further by tightening family reunification, expanding expulsion powers, abolishing polygamy recognition, and banning cousin marriages. Integration policies will focus on language requirements, stricter citizenship criteria and tougher sanctions for those who do not integrate.
Welfare, healthcare and education reforms
The government also outlined major reforms in healthcare, including shorter waiting times, enhanced cancer care, and the biggest dental reform in 20 years. In education, Kristersson promised a return to “knowledge-first” schooling, banning mobile phones during the school day by 2026 and strengthening teacher authority.
Economic stability and growth
The statement underscored a pivot from crisis management to future growth. With inflation receding, the government is cutting taxes for households, pushing labour market reforms to reduce benefit dependency, and investing heavily in research, AI, and infrastructure. Housing reforms aim to make home ownership easier by easing mortgage rules and reducing regulatory barriers.
Energy and climate
Sweden will launch a historic expansion of nuclear energy alongside incentives for wind power, ensuring stable fossil-free baseload supply. Climate policy will continue through the EU, while new national measures target PFAS chemicals and stricter fishing quotas in the Baltic Sea.
Foreign policy and security
Kristersson reaffirmed Sweden’s NATO membership and pledged continued robust support to Ukraine, calling Ukraine’s cause “our cause.” Sweden will push for tighter sanctions on Russia and invest heavily in defence, aiming for NATO’s new 3.5% GDP spending target. The government also stressed its role as a defender of democracy, free speech, and minority rights at home and abroad.
For Kristersson, the policy program was as much about symbolism as substance: portraying Sweden as back on track after years of crisis. “This Government has embarked on a journey of change, from a Sweden that had become more dangerous and poorer to a Sweden that is becoming more secure and more successful,” he said.
Source: Government of Sweden, Statement of Government Policy 2025 – Setting the course for a more successful Sweden, 9 Sept 2025, Regeringen.se
