Internal criticism of the “new S policy”: “Far too little self-criticism”

On Tuesday, the Social Democrats presented the results of the work that the party’s working groups have been working on since spring 2023.

The purpose is to put forward several proposals that could become social democratic policies to be voted on.

Politburo

But the arrangement is also criticized internally.

– The working groups must show how the current government is failing and not what we in S can do better. The party invests more in pointing out how the current government is bad and not in building its own program. There is far too little self-criticism, people say “we have been naive” instead of examining their mistakes more deeply, says a former high-ranking S politician to Politburo.

“S cannot be the same party”

Payam Moula, editor-in-chief of the social democratic think tank Tiden, says that a lot is at stake for Magdalena Andersson.

– Internally, it has been clear from both management and grassroots that S must renew its policy. Magdalena Andersson must now use her strong position to her advantage now that the results of the working groups are coming in. S cannot be the same party in 2026 as in 2022.

The most talked about of the working groups’ proposals has been a reduction in working hours to 35 hours a week. The work has been led by Annika Strandhäll (S). According to the Politikbyrån, the party leadership is not satisfied.

– Internally, Annika Strandhäll’s work with the proposal regarding shortening working hours has been met with skepticism by the party leadership. They don’t like that it has gotten so much attention, says an S profile.

“It turned out to be something of a fiasco”

The problem is that a general shortening of working hours is difficult to implement, believes Irene Wennemo (S), former state secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Employment.

– I think it is a bit reminiscent of the current government’s nuclear power promise. It creates a lot of attention, is quite understandable and a good conflict. The problem is when it will become a reality; it is very expensive and complicated.

Wennemo is also worried that the working groups – and the fact that S is in opposition – lead to impossible proposals.

– People become radicalized and don’t think much about whether it is possible to implement. There is a fear that one has far too ambitious election promises that disrupt relations with partners on the labor market, but also employers.