Red-Green coalition pushes tougher EU climate rules despite stalled government talks

In the Swedish parliament, the red-green alliance controls a slim majority of 176 seats, allowing it to shape the country's EU climate agenda despite ongoing deadlock in forming a new government. Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari has embraced a more ambitious approach than the previous administration, aiming for tighter emissions-trading rules. The coalition secured amendments to include additional international aviation emissions, to invalidate surplus allowances, and to prohibit the use of international credits for offsetting emissions. Åsa Westlund highlighted that this consensus extends to other areas such as stricter car emission standards and tougher fisheries policies.

The parties stress the importance of Sweden remaining an active EU player, even as they question whether the caretaker government will fully support these initiatives. Overall, climate policy emerges as a rare point of agreement within a fragmented political landscape.