SD wants to stop increased fuel taxes after the election

The war in the Persian Gulf caused the price of fuel to soar this spring. The world market fell into disarray when the Strait of Hormuz was blocked.

The Tidö government responded by lowering fuel taxes again. This despite the fact that previous tax cuts have already led to increased emissions and worsened Sweden's chances of reaching the climate goals. Households and the Swedish economy needed to be protected, according to Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (M).

But the cuts were temporary, with an end date after the election. It made critics talk about whale pork. According to SD's economic policy spokesperson Oscar Sjöstedt, his party wanted a permanent reduction, but they had to give in in the negotiation with the other Tidö parties.

The first reduction expires on Thursday, October 1. On Tuesday, October 6, the Riksdag's committee will meet for the first time after the election, and then SD will take the initiative to stop the increase.

- We still have elevated world market prices for oil. If we do nothing, there will be a cost shock for households, but also an inflationary shock when this seeps into the economy, says Oscar Sjöstedt.

The transitional government that Ulf Kristersson (M) currently leads is prevented from taking new political initiatives. Therefore, Oscar Sjöstedt wants the Riksdag to take up the matter.

SD wants to start with an amendment budget to extend the tax cut for the rest of the year. But it is only the one reduction that the Riksdag itself can decide on. The one that expires on December 1 requires approval from the European Commission because it is an exception to the Union's tax rules.

The Green Party is a sworn opponent of reduced fuel taxes. On the contrary, the party believes that it must become more expensive to drive fossil fuels if the transition to electric cars is to gain momentum. The position is supported by both the government's own investigators and the independent expert body Climate Policy Council.

- We shall not strengthen the fossil subsidies. What we need to do is support households in other ways and invest in the alternatives so that the Swedes get out of dependence on fossil fuels faster, says spokeswoman Amanda Lind.

DN has contacted the Social Democrats, who do not want to comment at the moment. In contrast to MP, S has previously been in favor of tax reductions on fuel.