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Sweden Today

Swedish news in English

Sunday, December 29, 2024

Sweden's Lottery Law Sparks Political Clash

Published: 2024-12-12

In a controversial move, the Swedish government has proposed new legislation targeting the Social Democrats' lottery operations, a significant source of their funding.

The Tidö parties, including the Moderates and the Sweden Democrats, aim to impose taxes on political lotteries, a measure that primarily affects the Social Democrats.

This proposal, set to take effect in January 2026, has been criticized as a strategic attempt to weaken the opposition ahead of the next election.

Historically, changes to political funding rules in Sweden have sought cross-party consensus, but this new legislation breaks that tradition.

The Social Democrats argue that the move undermines democratic principles, especially as it coincides with revelations of questionable sales practices linked to their lottery operations.

The government, however, insists on the need for stricter regulations, citing these controversies as justification.

The outcome of this legislative push could reshape the political landscape, with potential implications for future governance and party funding in Sweden.