Can Sweden restore welfare system amid increased defense spending?

To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site. Cover image: © France 24 01:50 Issued on: 14/09/2026 - 11:25 While the results of Sweden's general election remain too close to call, it looks as though the country's center-left opposition may get the chance to form a new government after four years under a right-wing coalition. The runup to the vote was dominated domestic economic issues, including the future of the country's once famously generous welfare state. But Sweden's international financial commitments - notably to increased defense spending following its decision to join NATO amid Russia's war on Ukraine - are likely to limit its options.