Swedish Politics Forgets the Young, Favors the Old, Commentary Argues

A critical commentary published on the editorial pages of Dagens Nyheter argues that contemporary Swedish politics consistently prioritizes the needs and benefits of older generations, often to the detriment of the young.

The author, Max Hjelm, draws a personal anecdote of being lost in a shopping mall as a child to illustrate the fundamental expectation that parents do not forget their children. However, he contends that in the political sphere, younger generations are frequently overlooked, with policies disproportionately benefiting older citizens.

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Men i politiken verkar andra spelregler gälla. Här glöms ofta de yngre bort, och äldre gynnas på ungas bekostnad.

Examples span various policy areas. In housing, tax deductions on mortgage interest primarily benefit existing homeowners with loans, inflating property prices and making it harder for young people to enter the market. Proposed changes to capital gains tax on property sales would also favor long-term owners over younger families looking to upgrade. On the rental market, established residents often have priority for affordable housing, pushing younger individuals into more expensive and precarious secondary markets.

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Vilka kommer stå för notan för kostnadsminskningarna? Dagens barn och unga.

The article further points to election campaign promises, such as tax cuts on fuel and food, financed by borrowing. The author warns that these short-term fiscal measures, while popular, will ultimately be paid for by today's children and youth through future debt repayment obligations.

Perhaps most starkly, the author criticizes climate policy, citing a politician's promise that citizens wouldn't need to alter their lifestyles for the green transition. The piece references warnings from the Climate Policy Council about missed emission reduction targets, arguing that inaction today will necessitate more drastic and costly measures for future generations. The commentary concludes by suggesting this pattern of prioritizing the established over the young extends to employment protection laws, which inherently favor those with longer tenure.

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Framtida generationer kommer behöva betala för att deras föräldrar inte velat göra nog de senaste decennierna.