About: Stefan Lofven
Taming the ‘Frugal Four’: the challenge facing the German Presidency
The European Commission has presented its proposal for a recovery fund as part of the draft EU budget. Now the member states must be convinced, a task that will fall on Berlin when Germany takes over the EU Council Presidency in July, EURACTIV Germany reports.
As Europe slowly exits lockdown, Sweden hunkers down for long haul
Sweden has taken a soft approach to virus restrictions and although its rules are likely to be in place longer than in other countries, officials are adamant their strategy is a winner in the long term.
Weakened principles, weakened voice, Swedish PM tells MEPs
The EU can only be a strong voice for democracy in the world if all 28 member states stand up for the principles of democracy at home, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said on Wednesday (3 April) in front of EU...
Swedish lawmakers reject centre-right Kristersson’s attempt to form government
Swedish lawmakers rejected on Wednesday (14 November) the centre-right Moderate Party leader's attempt to form a minority government with the Christian Democrats, prolonging the political deadlock in place since the election in September. EURACTIV’s partner efe-epa reports.
Sweden’s Löfven struggles to keep one of EU’s last centre-left governments in power
Sweden's Social Democratic Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has probably never stood so alone: roasted by the right for leaving the door wide open to asylum-seekers and lambasted by the left for later slamming it shut.
Social Democrats promise Swedes extra holiday as election nears
Sweden's ruling Social Democrats launched their election manifesto on Tuesday (28 August) promising an extra week of holiday for parents as the party seeks to avoid its worst showing ever in a national vote.
Trump claims EU has made it ‘almost impossible’ for US firms
President Donald Trump lashed out at European Union trade rules yesterday (6 March), saying the bloc has made life near "impossible" for US firms, and threatening to ramp up tariffs on imports into the US.
‘Let’s do our work’ on social policy, Juncker tells member states
Europe’s credibility hinges on national leaders agreeing social legislation that applies across the bloc, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Friday (17 November) at a summit with leaders from EU countries in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Tusk to demand ‘more work’ from May to secure Brexit deal
European Council President Donald Tusk will warn British Prime Minister Theresa May at a summit in Sweden on Friday (17 November) that "more work" is needed to reach a Brexit deal in December, according to sources.
Political crisis grips Sweden as confidence vote looms
A political crisis gripped Sweden on Wednesday (26 July) after opposition parties called for a no confidence vote they would almost certainly win over a botched outsourcing deal in which sensitive material was transmitted abroad.
Sweden pushes gender equality onto Rome agenda
As EU leaders parsed through divisive issues like migration and European integration in discussions on the future of Europe today (10 March), Sweden's prime minister threw another controversial matter into the mix: employment policy.
Sweden sees costs of migration crisis almost quadruple
The costs of the wave of asylum seekers arriving in Sweden due to the refugee crisis will be much greater than previously expected, forcing the government to earmark more money in the coming years.
Europe vows to defend democracy on ‘black day’
European governments vowed today (22 March) to defend democracy against terrorism after blasts at Brussels airport and in the EU's institutional heart left at least 26 dead and dozens injured.
In-work benefits emerge as main stumbling block ahead of Brexit summit
Most of the Union’s members have reservations with regard to the possible limitations of in-work benefits for EU workers in the UK, contained in the proposals from Brussels to address David Cameron’s demands ahead of the Brexit referendum. The EURACTIV network reports.
Sweden to impose ID checks on travellers from Denmark
Sweden is set to drastically reduce the flow of refugees into the country by imposing strict identity checks on all travellers from Denmark, as Scandinavian countries compete with each other to shed their reputations as havens for asylum seekers.
Dutch Presidency to take over task of shaping EU’s border force
Unable to decide on establishing a “European Border and Coast Guard”, EU leaders on Thursday (18 December) tasked the incoming Dutch Presidency to move forward with the divisive issue.
Poll: Support swells for Sweden’s extreme right
Though the number of refugees arriving in Sweden has dropped by 60% since tougher asylum policies were adopted in November, the far-right Sweden Democrats are receiving unpecedented levels of support, according to a new poll.
Sweden ends open door policy for asylum seekers
Stockholm wants to dramatically decrease the influx of asylum seekers coming into the country. Sweden will observe minimum standards for asylum policies under EU law and international rules, the government announced on Tuesday (24 November).
Sweden checks trains for migrants at its border with Denmark
Swedish police started checking trains for migrants yesterday (12 November), imposing the first large-scale border controls in two decades, a move criticised by one opposition party as ending a tradition of openness and by others as being too little too late.
Sweden to introduce temporary border controls
On Thursday (12 November), Sweden will set up border controls at the Øresund bridge, which connects Denmark and Sweden, and at ferries which arrive from Germany and Denmark.
Poll: Swedish support for refugees falls
A growing number of Swedes want their country to take in fewer migrants, a poll showed on Monday (9 November) as Sweden struggles to manage an unprecedented influx of asylum seekers.
Sweden to keep shelters for asylum seekers secret
The Swedish Migration Agency has decided to keep the locations of refugee housing facilities secret, following 21 being torched since March.
Sweden’s new migrant restrictions will not be in place before 2016
New rules aimed at tightening Sweden's migration policies to discourage further asylum seekers from seeking to enter the country will not come into force until at least next year, and possibly 2017, according to the Ministry for Justice and Migration.