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Of: TT
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Photo: Ali Lorestani / TT
There are municipalities and regions with a worse starting position than others, says Lena Micko (S), Minister of Civil Affairs. Stock Photography.
For the first time since the crisis of the 1990s, a municipal emergency service is being introduced where municipalities and regions can receive temporary help with finances.
In the budget bill, 1 billion SEK is set aside for four years.
The government faces a municipal delegation, or a municipal emergency as it was called in the late 1990s, where municipalities and regions with financial difficulties can turn to seek temporary and specific state support.
The delegation is financed with 250 million annually between 2021 and 2024 and is based on an agreement between the government, the Center Party and the Liberals.
– It is about paying attention to municipalities and regions that have a worse starting position than others, says the Minister of Civil Affairs Lena Micko (S).
Demographic challenges
It is not uncommon for these to be demographic challenges that some municipalities and regions have difficulty influencing.
– It may be municipalities that have a higher proportion of older people in the population, sparsely populated rural municipalities, or a municipality or region where you are the largest employer in the locality, says Micko.
– Especially during the pandemic, some have been more vulnerable than others. Like the border municipalities that have been greatly affected.
Comes with counterclaims
It is too early to say exactly what the conditions are for receiving the support, according to Micko. Like the municipal emergency department in the 1990s, state support comes with counterclaims. These can be efficiency requirements. The goal is to achieve a balanced economy in the long term, without rampant debt.
– How it should go, should decide together with the individual municipality. If you want functional well-being for citizens, you must have a balanced economy. Not just one year, but the years to come as well.
TT: Is there a risk that the support will lead to less moderation?
– I think the opposite is true. That it provides an opportunity to strengthen initiatives that are already underway in the municipalities and regions. It’s a common chore, says Micko.
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