Thousands expected at Sweden climate demo as election looms
World
By
AFP
| Aug 23, 2026
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson visit the makeshift memorial outside a school in Fagersta, central Sweden, on August 22, 2026. [AFP]
Around 10,000 people are expected to turn out for a climate demonstration in Stockholm on Sunday, according to Swedish police and organisers, just weeks ahead of a general election where the issue is among voters' top concerns.
Since taking power in 2022, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's right-wing government, backed by the populist Sweden Democrats party, has cut petrol taxes and reduced requirements for petrol suppliers to add low-carbon alternatives to their mix.
Experts both in Sweden and abroad have repeatedly warned that the government's climate policy jeopardises the country's emissions-cutting goals -- to reduce CO2 from transport by 70 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.
Kristersson's administration has notably rejected a government-appointed commission's recommendations on ways to meet the 2030 target, which included phasing out fossil fuels by hiking taxes on petrol and diesel.
READ MORE
Nairobi trade fair to link farmers with technology, new markets
Can Kenyans buy Dangote refinery shares? Here is all you need to know
How tariff regime has slowed Kenya Power's revenue growth
From unemployed to tech trainer: How ICT skills are transforming Nairobi youth
How Kenya, Ethiopia are turning textile waste into jobs
High logistics costs threaten East Africa horticulture competitiveness
Kenya mulls raising Sh2.4 trillion to power green energy deals by 2030
Push to strengthen regulation of imported, locally manufactured products
Many cities buried urban streams but here's how to bring them back
"The climate crisis is very real, and it is here," said Beatrice Rindevall, head of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, which is co-organising Sunday's demonstration.
"It is time to put in place a climate policy that reduces emissions right now," she added in a statement, pointing to this summer's devastating heatwaves in Europe.
Swedes go to the polls to elect a new parliament on September 13, with the right-wing bloc trailing in opinion polls.
More than 200 non-governmental organisations and associations are expected to take part in Sunday's march, which is due to start at 1:00 pm (1100 GMT).
It will bring together researchers, youth and sports associations, trade unions, outdoor and rural organisations, religious communities, and rights groups.
"Never before have so many organisations taken part in a Swedish climate demonstration," Rindevall said. "The commitment is massive."
According to a Verian opinion poll published by public broadcaster SVT on Thursday, 37 percent of respondents said the climate was their top priority in the election, behind only health care, education, crime and elderly care.
The government has argued that the phase-out of fossil fuels must be gradual in order to preserve and strengthen Sweden's competitiveness and its companies.