Latest news with #Swedes'
Local Sweden
2 hours ago
- Business
- Local Sweden
Swedes breathe sigh of relief after Systembolaget strike is called off
The Midsummer's Eve aquavit is safe. Advertisement Swedes' access to alcohol this summer is secured after trade unions struck a deal with business organisation Svensk Handel less than a week before hundreds of employees at state-run alcohol monopoly Systembolaget had been set to walk out. Unionen and Engineers of Sweden had threatened industrial action which would have affected Systembolaget's headquarters as well as warehouses in Stockholm, Kungsängen, Sundsvall and Örebro. As the warehouses supply alcohol to the chain's stores, there was a risk of shelves running dry and some shops having to close as a result. The sticking point was union demands for part-time employees to be given the same rights to overtime compensation as full-time employees when they work more than their contracted hours. But after signing a new collective bargaining agreement, the strike was called off.
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
extremist gang warnings, Eurovision rejection and reclusive lifestyles
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Ace of Base, the creators of some of the most memorable Europop tunes of the 90s, have a history as colourful as their music. Their journey, from modest beginnings in Sweden to encounters with gangland threats and even an unsuccessful Eurovision bid, is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride... The electro-pop outfit hailing from Scandinavia was born in Gothenburg in 1987, comprising siblings Jonas, Linn and Jenny Berggren, with Ulf Ekberg rounding off the quartet. Starting out in the local club scene, the group initially found it tough to make their mark, given the Swedes' preference for heavy metal—a stark contrast to their techno beats. However, their fortunes changed when their single, Wheel of Fortune, hit the charts, paving the way for their next release, All that She Wants, to catapult them to global stardom. The track went platinum and dominated the UK charts for three consecutive weeks in 1993. (Image: Phillippe Caron/ Getty) Their winning streak continued with hits like The Sign, becoming a club anthem worldwide in the early 90s. But, as quickly as they ascended to fame, they faded into obscurity just as swiftly, reports the Daily Record. The last sighting of the group was during a series of concerts between 2007 and 2009, where they performed as a trio without Linn. Since then, the original band members have all embarked on vastly different journeys. Jenny Berggren Jenny, a former member of the band who left in the late 00s, was the only one to pursue a solo music career and also ventured into writing. In 2009, she penned her autobiography Vinna hela världen, which translates to 'To Win the World' in English; however, a translated version never saw publication. Her solo musical journey began in 2010 with the release of her single, Here I Am, which peaked at number 14 on the Swedish charts. She followed up with another single, Gotta Go, and her debut album, My Story, within the same year. (Image:) Additionally, Jenny made an attempt to represent Denmark at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest with her track, Let Your Heart B Mine, but did not secure the nomination. In 2024, she joined Ulf in the documentary, Ace of Base: All That She Wants, which delved into the band's history. During the programme, she shared a harrowing incident from the early '90s when an intruder broke into her home and threatened her with a knife. Reflecting on the terrifying event in an interview with People, Jenny remarked: "I think that was when the star was born in me. I wanted to sing. I had to calculate with all the dangers, and I just realised, 'No, I want to sing. This is what I want'." Ulf Ekberg Ulf Ekberg has since shifted his focus to nurturing tech start-ups in Sweden. In a conversation with ABC, the ex-musician observed: "There's so many tech companies in Sweden, especially Stockholm. "I'm interested in creating a sector in technology and music. I'm building companies, and it's been a fantastic last five years. It feels like everything is exploding here. We are in a lot of different sectors, but we try to keep it to the creative sectors as much as possible; movies, TV, music and entertainment, which are obviously very close to my heart." (Image: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage) In the documentary from the previous year, Ulf also reflects on his past association with a far-right extremist gang in Sweden during his teenage years, expressing profound remorse for this period in his life. In an interview with People, he elaborated: "I think it's a very important topic to talk about because it is a very angry world we live in right now. It's much more angry than when I was a teenager." He continued, sharing his hope that his story could inspire others: "I hope that maybe that part of this documentary can show that even if you are completely lost, you can always find your way and it's never too late - which, I was blessed with a second chance in my life." Jonas and Linn Berggren Post-band life has seen Jonas and Linn Berggren retreat from the limelight, with Linn particularly shunning public attention. Jonas briefly resurfaced at an event featured towards the end of the documentary, whereas Linn opted to contribute through a letter, which Jenny reads out in the concluding episode. However, the band did reunite for a one-off gig on their 30th anniversary. Much to the joy of numerous fans, they returned to headline the 90s Nostalgic Electric Circus festival in Canada, donning black lace and flower-inspired attire.
Local Sweden
28-05-2025
- Business
- Local Sweden
Swedes fear alcohol shortage as Systembolaget summer strike looms
If there's one way to spark the ire of Swedes, it's by telling them they may not get their aquavit in time for Midsummer. Advertisement Swedes' access to alcohol could be limited this summer after the Unionen trade union threatened to launch industrial action at Swedish state-owned alcohol chain Systembolaget unless it reaches an agreement with business organisation Svensk Handel by June 10th. The strike would affect Systembolaget's headquarters as well as warehouses in Stockholm, Kungsängen, Sundsvall and Örebro. The warehouses supply alcohol to the chain's stores, and several hundred Unionen members would be involved in the strike. There is a risk that shelves could run dry as a result, and that some stores may even have to close. "The Midsummer Eve snaps is in danger," reads a headline in the Aftonbladet newspaper. The sticking point, according to Unionen, is its demands for part-time employees to be given the same rights to overtime compensation as full-time employees when they work more than their contracted hours. "We demand fair conditions for everyone," it said in a statement. "We regret that Unionen is choosing this path," said a representative from Svensk Handel in a statement. In Sweden, Systembolaget has a monopoly on over-the-counter sales of drinks with an alcohol content stronger than 3.5 percent ABV. FOOD AND DRINK:
Epoch Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Sweden's National Identity Crisis
Commentary In the 20th century, Sweden became a global beacon of socioeconomic harmony and political stability. While widely seen as a successful fusion of capitalism and equality, drawing international praise for its expansive welfare state and diplomatic humanitarianism, Swedes saw their nation as a 'moral superpower' at home. Today, this image is crumbling under the weight of grim headlines. Unemployment hovers around 9 percent—one of the highest rates in the European Union—with youth unemployment nearing 25 percent. Despite an average income tax rate exceeding 40 percent, plus payroll taxes and a 25 percent national sales tax, public services are failing: patients in the public healthcare system often wait months for basic treatments, roads are in disrepair, and schools are grappling with plummeting performance. In 2022, 800,000 of Sweden's 10 million residents were classified as illiterate, the highest number since the late 19th century. Even more alarming is the surge in violent crime. Once among the safest countries in the world, Sweden today has one of Europe's highest gun homicide rates. In 2022, authorities recorded 391 shootings, resulting in 62 deaths. The violence has also spread from the big cities to smaller towns. A recent triple murder in a barber shop in central Uppsala—long considered one of Sweden's safest communities—shocked the nation. Related Stories 3/26/2025 3/22/2025 Also, bombings, previously inconceivable in Swedish society, have become common. In 2023, police reported 149 explosive attacks, up from a handful a decade ago. This situation has prompted authorities to designate more than 60 neighborhoods as 'no-go zones,' and the government has floated the idea of deploying the military to help restore order. Analysts argue that immigration is the cause of this upheaval. Since the 1990s, Sweden has indeed accepted over two million migrants, mainly from war-torn countries like Syria, Somalia, and Afghanistan. Thus, immigration has emerged as the country's most combative political issue, and in the 2022 election, the populist Sweden Democrats surged to become the second-largest party. Yet, despite its hardline immigration policy, the party's platform mainly reflects the ideals of Sweden's traditional welfare state rather than the conservatism of notables like Donald Trump. One must look deeper into Sweden's historical identity to understand this paradox. Swedes' self-image traces back to the 16th century when it broke away from the Danish-dominated Kalmar Union, transformed into an autocratic, Lutheran military state, and in the 17th century, gained great power through its Thirty Years' War exploits. This unlikely ascent—from a poor, sparsely populated country to a regional empire—was achieved through military ingenuity, bureaucratic efficiency, and hefty sacrifices imposed on the people through high taxes, forced labor, and mass conscription. This combination of implausible success and suffering helped forge national unity. Even after the loss of their Baltic empire in 1718 and the cession of Finland to Russia in 1809, the Swedes continued to see themselves as a people with a divine mission—to show the world how a well-ordered state should function. In the mid-19th century, this exceptionalist sense found a new outlet in capitalism. After centuries of hardship, Sweden's Protestant work ethic and engineering ingenuity began to flourish. By the early 20th century, the country had become one of the world's most industrialized nations, a development driven by figures like inventor-entrepreneur Alfred Nobel. Then came the Social Democratic era. From 1932 to 1976, the Social Democrats held uninterrupted power, building a robust welfare state. Their rule initially promoted continuous growth through moderate taxation and focused on solving practical problems rather than pushing ideological agendas. By 1970, Sweden thus briefly became the third wealthiest nation on earth. However, a turning point came around 1970 when the party shifted sharply to the left. Taxes rose, the healthcare system was socialized, and experimental policies like 'wage-earner funds'—intended to transfer company ownership to workers partially—were introduced. As a result, the private sector began to flounder, and Sweden's GDP per capita began to slip towards today's 13th place globally. This decline has been difficult to accept for a country whose self-image is bound up with the idea of national superiority. Yet, instead of rethinking their system, Swedish politicians across the spectrum clung to the welfare model with religious fervor. Case in point: The Sweden Democrats today echo the ideals of early 20th-century Social Democratic leaders like Per Albin Hansson, 'the father of the Swedish welfare state,' more than present-day populists akin to Donald Trump. Hence, Sweden's current crisis is not just economic but existential. A nation once seeing itself as a model for the world struggles to reconcile its historical myths with reality. To overcome this identity crisis, Sweden will be forced to do more than implement tighter immigration laws, introduce economic reform, and improve policing. It will be forced to go through a national reckoning: Confront past mistakes and discard outdated self-perceptions. Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Local Sweden
14-04-2025
- Business
- Local Sweden
What do we know about Sweden's 2025 spring budget so far?
The Swedish government is set to present its spring amendment budget on April 15th, but we already know some policies which are likely to be included. Advertisement What is the spring amendment budget? The spring amendment budget (vårändringsbudgeten) is usually mainly used to tweak or add bits and pieces to Sweden's main annual budget, which was presented last autumn. This year's spring amendment budget will be submitted to parliament on April 15th. What do we know so far about what's in it? Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson has said that there will be 11.5 billion kronor of reforms in the spring amendment budget, including among other things an increase to the ROT tax reduction which currently allows households to claim back 30 percent of the cost of labour on maintenance work such as repairs, conversions and extensions. Under the new proposal, which is expected to cost the government 4.35 billion kronor, the ROT reduction will be increased temporarily to 50 percent from May 12th until the end of the year in order to kickstart the economy. This will take up 40 percent of the budget. According to economist Shoka Åhrman from pension company SPP, most households are unlikely to see the effects of this on their finances. 'The ROT reduction is an issue that will affect some people's wallets, but in reality not for everyone,' she told the TT newswire. 'It's usually used by people with higher incomes.' She added that it's not uncommon for the spring amendment budget to have few posts that will directly affect Swedes' personal finances. 'Changes in the spring usually affect the economy more broadly, it's not that usual for there to be concrete changes as far as personal finances are concerned.' 'Having said that, the previous decisions on lower tax for work and pensions will remain active.' Advertisement The government and the Sweden Democrats have also agreed to put aside 500 million kronor for road maintenance. There will also be proposals concerning summer jobs for young people and reforms of professional higher education courses to offer more, shorter courses (700 million kronor). In addition to this, 500 million kronor will go towards mental healthcare for both adults and young people, and 484 million will go to the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, in part to increase the number of spaces in prison and pre-trial detention. Another 357 million will go towards preventing youth crime, including 200 million for increased places in SIS homes – compulsory care homes for young people involved in crime, with psychosocial problems or with substance abuse issues. Following the school attack in Örebro in February, 353 million kronor has been earmarked for increased security in schools. The government and the Sweden Democrats have also allocated 35 billion kronor to defence, 16.5 million will go to Ukraine, and 96 million kronor has been put aside for what the government describes as a 'targeted package of measures against hybrid threats'. Planned reforms to a-kassa unemployment insurance, which would tie the benefit to income rather than hours worked, will also be brought in earlier, in August instead of at the beginning of October. Another 6.5 billion kronor will go to Klimatklivet, an investment support programme for regions and municipalities to reduce carbon emissions, and 2.2 billion kronor to Industriklivet, a similar programme to finance innovation in industry which will benefit the environment. Other smaller posts include 30 million kronor to national mapping agency Lantmäteriet, to better protect classified information and hire new staff and 71 million kronor to the Swedish Maritime Administration to fund sea and air rescues. Schools will be allocated 82 million kronor to cover the costs of carrying out national tests on paper instead of digitally this spring, and 7 million kronor will be allocated to Swedish county boards to help manage wolf populations. Advertisement Is there anything which didn't make it into the budget? According to SVT, the government had plans to give families an extra month of child benefit this year at a cost of 2.5 billion kronor to the state. This was meant to boost families' finances, especially those with low incomes, as well as stimulate the economy. Sources speaking to SVT said that the proposal was rejected by the Sweden Democrats, with an anonymous source within the Sweden Democrats explaining that the child benefit system should be reformed instead. 'Unlike certain other parties, we want money to go towards working families who are struggling, and not to migrants in areas of exclusion who have come to Sweden to live off benefits without wanting to adapt to society.' The same source said that the Sweden Democrats had instead called for a cut to tax on food, which was rejected by the other parties.
