KEY POINTS: What changes in Sweden in May?
A change of direction for the Social Democrats, a tax deadline, public holidays, and, maybe, another Eurovision win for Sweden. What's on the agenda for Sweden in May?
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Centre Party will officially vote for new leader
The Centre Party will formally appoint its new leader at an EGM on May 3rd. The election committee has nominated Anna-Karin Hatt, who enjoys wide support within the party, so it looks likely that she will win.
Hatt is currently the CEO of the Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF), a major organisation for people and businesses in the agriculture and forestry industry.
Another one of her top-level positions since leaving politics is being the former CEO of employers' organisation Almega, a significant player in the Swedish business world.
POLITICS IN SWEDEN: Why a new Centre leader might mean the end for free school reform
She was among the most popular candidates to take over after Muharrem Demirok stepped down in February, but left professional politics more than ten years ago and had only a week prior to her nomination dismissed the idea that she would be returning any time soon.
She took on her first role for the Centre Party in 1991 as a local politician in Hylte, a municipality in south-western Sweden with a population of just over 10,000. She was IT minister in Fredrik Reinfeldt's centre-right coalition government from 2010 to 2014.
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Social Democrats to hold party congress
Sweden's Social Democrats will hold their party congress at the end of May. In mid-April, ahead of the congress, the party proposed four new political goals covering topics like the economy, schools, law and order and immigration.
The result of a long bottom-up process of policy renewal, the proposals, as expected, cement the party's shift to the right on immigration and law and order.
Don't miss: Sweden's tax deadline
Tax returns were sent out weeks ago, so you may already have declared your taxes. But if you haven't, May 2nd is the final deadline.
If you're unable to file your tax return on time, then you need to apply for an extension by the May 2nd deadline. If the Tax Agency approves your extension, you'll have until June 2nd to submit it. You can apply for this extension online using your digital ID, or call the agency.
Before you click submit, make sure you've not missed out on these essential deductions.
Will Sweden win Eurovision… again?
Another highlight of the Swedish calendar, Eurovision will take place in May in Basel.
We're aware that Basel is not in Sweden (despite Sweden and Switzerland often getting mixed up), but many Swedes will be watching the contest, especially considering Sweden's entry is hotly tipped to win this year.
Finnish sauna-themed comedy act Kaj were selected to represent Sweden in Eurovision at the final of Melodifestivalen this spring.
Their song, Bara Bada Bastu, is the first song in Swedish the country has sent to Eurovision since 1998.
Song contest experts think the song could win due to the catchy melody (anyone with children in Sweden has no doubt had it stuck in their head for weeks) and the fact that it represents a break from the kind of slick, polished pop songs Sweden usually sends.
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Holidays and other dates
May 1st, a day for celebrating workers' movements, has been a public holiday in Sweden since 1939. Expect to see rallies organised by left or centre-left parties and organisations, but otherwise not much happens on May 1st in Sweden – and even less this year as it falls on a Sunday, so there's no extra day off.
The right-wing parties will still be busy, however, joining everyone else in celebrating Valborg and the King's birthday the day before on April 30th.
The weather for both days currently looks OK, with forecasters predicting it to be overcast, with temperatures of around 15C in the south of the country and around 5-10C in the north.
Ascension Day, which this year falls on May 29th, is also a public holiday in Sweden. This means Friday May 30th is a great klämdag opportunity, meaning you can book it off to give yourself a four-day weekend and only use one day of annual leave (although your Swedish colleagues probably got there ahead of you and booked it off months ago).
Known as Kristi himmelfärdsdag in Swedish (or colloquially Kristi flygare – "flying Christ"), it marks the day when Christians believe Jesus ascended into heaven. But as Sweden is a relatively secular country you're unlikely to notice anything remarkable unless you're a keen churchgoer – other than getting a day off.
Mother's Day in Sweden falls on the last Sunday of May, this year May 25th. It is not a public holiday.
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