The Social Democrats lose power in Södertälje for the second time in over 50 years

Södertälje is just one of many examples in the county and the country where previously strong S strongholds have now become weaker and lost the majority. In Södertälje, this is only the second time in over 50 years that the "sosse" have lost power.

- Of course I think it's boring. We need to get back to questions about preschool, care, healthcare and other welfare issues, says Anders Lago, who is now chairman of the national association FUB, which works for the intellectually disabled.

Minus 13 percentage points

He thinks Boel Godner (S) and the majority that governed in Södertälje did well, but that they missed the election campaign. The party retreated 1.8 percentage points from the last election, and lost power.

The downward trend is also clear in the country over time. In Södertälje, S has declined 13 percentage points in 25 years.

Boel Godner (S), who is now stepping down as chairman of the municipal board, agrees to some extent with Lago.

- I understand him, based on what he is working on today. Although we have done a lot in social issues, there can of course be more to tackle, she tells SVT.

Works well in some areas

In some districts, however, things have gone well in Södertälje. Such as in Blombacka and Hovsjö. Both are on the government's list of places with socio-economic exclusion. In Hovsjö, the party gets over 50 percent of the vote.

Anders Lago believes that it is a sign that the welfare issues and the integration issue are strong and that it can testify that this is the way the party should go forward.

- Regardless of where we come from, now we live, now we are this society, and then the Social Democrats must also have a policy that includes everyone.