Left-green parties lead poll ahead of Gothenburg elections — The Local Sweden
In Gothenburg, Sweden, the Social Democratic Party, the Left Party and the Green Party could win a majority of their own in the municipal elections. A Novus poll conducted in early September for the Göteborgs-Posten newspaper gives these three political forces a combined 51.5% support, The Local Sweden reports.
According to the survey results, the Social Democrats have 25.7% of the vote — almost one percentage point more than in the 2022 election. Support for the Left Party rose from 11.4% in 2022 to 15.9%, while support for the Green Party increased from 6% to 10%.
If these figures are confirmed, the left-green bloc will be able to govern the city without a coalition with the Centre Party. At the same time, the Liberal Party and the Christian Democrats do not clear the four-percent threshold in the poll required to win seats on the city council.
Key campaign issues
Opposition parties criticize the left-green coalition, which has governed the municipality since 2022, over its management of city finances. They also say that funds are being spent on prestige projects instead of schools and care for older people, and that the authorities are not doing enough to address segregation and are unfriendly to motorists.
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One of the most debated issues has been the 14 billion Swedish kronor Arenakvarteret project. The plan calls for the demolition of the Valhallabadet swimming pool complex to build a new arena and event center. The Sweden Democrats, the Christian Democrats and the Green Party support halting the project and directing the funds to other city needs. Other parties generally support the initiative, although they have different approaches to financing it.
Healthcare, transport and housing
At the regional level in Västra Götaland, the opposition focuses on long waits for hospital treatment, including psychiatric care, and the working conditions of medical staff. The Moderate Party proposes wider involvement of private service providers and greater availability of primary healthcare. The Social Democrats, the Left Party and the Green Party say this could direct taxpayers' money into the profits of private companies.
In transport policy, the parties dispute the reliability of Västtrafik services and possible fare increases. The Social Democrats oppose this, while the Moderate Party proposes indexing fares to inflation and introducing a single fare zone for all of Västra Götaland.
The parties also have different approaches to education and housing construction. The Social Democrats propose a maximum of 12 pupils per teacher in lower grades and a ban on making profits in the education sector. The Moderate Party wants to set a limit of 24 pupils per class and supports building more detached houses and townhouses, while the Social Democrats and the Left Party favor affordable rental housing.
