Sweden – In an unprecedented move shaking the Swedish political landscape, a wave of local opposition has emerged against the efforts of the right-wing and far-right government. The government is seeking to encourage immigrants to leave the country, and municipalities have demanded that it provide assistance for the voluntary return of immigrants instead of relying on departure plans.
The “revolution” began in the Arctic Circle town of Jokkmokk and quickly spread throughout the country. By Thursday, November 6, more than 130 municipalities (out of 290) and about ten regions had announced their refusal to support the national coordinator, who had been appointed by the liberal-conservative government to expedite voluntary returns. This movement clearly caught the government off guard.
Departure for 350,000 kronor
The far-right coalition, which has been in power since the fall of 2022, made the issue of emigration a top priority. Its plan included the forced deportation of undocumented immigrants, as well as encouraging the voluntary return of people legally residing in Sweden.
On October 30, Stockholm announced a significant increase in financial support for those who agree to leave. The support will rise from 10,000 kronor (900 euros) per adult to 350,000 kronor (approximately 31,000 euros) by January 1, 2026. A total of 2.5 billion Swedish kronor will be allocated for this assistance over three years.
The target is “non-integrated”
Swedish Immigration Minister Johan Forssell justified this assistance by saying it is primarily intended “for people who, for various reasons, do not feel comfortable or are not sufficiently integrated into Swedish society.”
However, the municipalities’ rejectionist movement reflects significant opposition to the government’s approach. The government seeks to “buy” the departure of migrants, rather than supporting integration and coexistence efforts at the local level.
