Swedish Election Year Opens with Focus on Small Business Support at Företagarnas Winter Mingle

The 2026 election year in Sweden was launched prominently at Företagarnas annual winter mingle, an event uniting politicians, opinion leaders, and entrepreneurs to discuss support for small businesses crucial to the nation’s economy. Held at Volvo's showroom in Stockholm's Kungsträdgården, the event underscored small enterprises as creators of half the new jobs and largest taxpayers in most municipalities, contributing around 150 billion kronor annually to welfare.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Social Democrat Mikael Damberg took center stage, presenting contrasting political perspectives. Kristersson emphasized the need for regulatory simplifications at the European level and insisted on fostering strong growth amid global challenges. Damberg highlighted the importance of securing an energy agreement, implementing a vigorous economic policy, and reforming the education system to align skills with societal needs.

Halldora von Koenigsegg, chairman of Företagarna, issued a robust appeal, noting many entrepreneurs feel politics complicates growth, hiring, and investment rather than facilitating it. She introduced a 25-point program urging policymakers to translate proposals into concrete decisions to improve business conditions.

This gathering signaled a sharp political focus on creating a more conducive environment for small businesses as the election year begins, reflecting the sector’s integral role in job creation and economic stability in Sweden.