City-wide

Sergej Salnikov (SD) proposed that Stockholm's municipal housing companies should introduce background checks for new tenants, extending beyond finances to include histories of disturbances or illegal activities, aiming to enhance safety. The City Executive Board rejected this, stating that the housing companies already possess comprehensive tenant screening procedures and collaborate with social services to prevent evictions, noting that further checks would be legally complex and resource-intensive.

The City of Stockholm has adopted a new school library plan for preschools and schools, approved by the City Executive Board on December 17, 2025. This plan aims to provide all children, students, and teachers with access to quality libraries staffed by qualified personnel and offering a wide range of books and media. The goal is to boost reading enjoyment and strengthen language development, especially for children with reading and writing difficulties and those whose mother tongue is not Swedish.

The City of Stockholm proposes to ban the use of nitrous oxide for intoxication in public places within the city's densely populated areas. This aims to counter increased use among young people, reduce public disturbances and littering, and protect residents' health. This new ban complements a national law effective July 1, 2025, which prohibits the sale of nitrous oxide for intoxicating purposes.

Fees for preschool, after-school care, and inconvenient hours care in Stockholm are proposed to increase starting February 1, 2026, based on the Swedish National Agency for Education's maximum fee calculations for that year. The first child will have a maximum fee of SEK 1,847/month for full-time and SEK 1,231/month for part-time, with the highest income threshold set at SEK 61,560/month.

The City of Stockholm is set to approve a new action plan for 2025–2027 to support young people under 20 who have left school without a high school diploma. The municipality will actively reach out to these youths, offering support to start or resume studies, or alternatively, assistance in finding employment. Special emphasis will be placed on inter-departmental collaboration and reaching vulnerable youths, including those subjected to honor-based violence or facing threats.

The Moderates questioned Social Welfare Commissioner Alexander Ojanne (S) regarding the evaluation of the School Social Teams Plus (SST+) project, aimed at students with high absenteeism. While the evaluation showed success in re-engaging students, it also highlighted coordination issues and that only 28 of 60 available spots were filled. Ojanne responded that the city is broadly addressing school absenteeism, with funds allocated to permanently establish SST+ city-wide, starting with focus areas, and a new integrated model is being piloted in certain districts for evaluation in summer 2026 before wider implementation.

Kristin Jacobsson (C) has questioned the Elder and Culture Commissioner, Torun Boucher (V), regarding a policy preventing seniors in city housing from drinking alcohol on their own initiative in common areas. Residents at Väduren senior housing, who have long enjoyed Thursday coffee with an optional "avec," have been told by the district administration that this is no longer allowed due to their policy. The Centre Party believes this is patronizing and asks if the decision will be reconsidered, allowing seniors to once again enjoy a drink with their coffee.

Svante Linusson (C) proposed banning gas-powered vehicles, especially mopeds, from Stockholm's bike paths due to air pollution and health risks. Traffic Commissioner Lars Strömgren (MP) agreed about the problem but stated the municipality lacks the legal right to ban only gas-powered mopeds, as a total ban would push electric mopeds into car traffic, creating new hazards. Strömgren has instead contacted the Minister for Infrastructure to advocate for national legal changes that would allow for environmental zones or reclassification of mopeds, enabling the city to ban fossil-fueled vehicles from bike paths.

The Moderates questioned if Stockholm would spend tax money on a marketing campaign to encourage enrollment in municipal schools instead of focusing on teaching quality. Education Commissioner Emilia Bjuggren (S) responded that the education administration will not engage in whitewashing advertising but will provide targeted information during school choice to inform about information meetings. She emphasized the importance of communicating the offerings of municipal schools, such as facilities and licensed teachers, to help guardians make informed decisions.

Tom Hedrup (M) has questioned Housing Commissioner Deniz Butros (V) regarding the significant and growing debt of Stockholm's municipal housing companies (Stockholmshem, Familjebostäder, and Svenska Bostäder), which currently stands at approximately SEK 36 billion, incurring SEK 1 billion in annual interest. Hedrup specifically inquired about the projected debt development as these companies build 11,500 new homes over the next eight years, and how the Commissioner plans to reduce this indebtedness.

Councilman Johan Paccamonti (M) questioned Housing Commissioner Deniz Butros (V) on Stockholm's housing policy, arguing that its focus on multi-family homes and rental properties in villa areas, plus public housing expansion, clashes with resident desires and threatens green spaces. Paccamonti wants to know if the Commissioner will shift policy to better align with Stockholmers' preference for villas and protect the city's green areas.

This interpellation from Nike Örbrink (KD) concerns the city's stance on the Eastern Link, a planned tunnel intended to relieve inner-city traffic. The issue arises because Finance Commissioner Karin Wanngård (S) signed a letter of intent to build the link, but shortly thereafter another commissioner stated that Stockholm's left-wing administration rejects the project. Nike Örbrink now seeks clarity on whether the city will actively oppose the project, if necessary detailed development plans will be established, and if external parties can trust the signature of Stockholm's Finance Commissioner.

Nike Örbrink (KD) questioned Finance Commissioner Karin Wanngård (S) regarding Stockholm's business climate, citing a significant drop in Svenskt Näringsliv's ranking and asking about plans to reverse this trend, improve procurement, and foster a vibrant business environment. Wanngård (S) disagreed with the assessment of a declining business climate, referencing other reports that portray Stockholm as attractive for businesses, while noting the city is addressing challenges through a new business policy, establishment strategy, initiatives like "one way in" for entrepreneurs, local business developers, and increased resources for building permits and procurements.

Nike Örbrink (Christian Democrats) questioned Elderly Care Commissioner Torun Boucher (Left Party) on how Stockholm will address the projected doubling of elderly residents by 2040 given the shortage of care homes. Örbrink criticized the limit of 13 new private care homes, arguing it places an unsustainable burden on the municipality due to its existing debt. Boucher responded that the city is taking a comprehensive approach by building its own facilities and improving planning to ensure long-term control and quality in elderly care, committing not to sell strategic properties for short-term financial gain.

The Moderates, led by Dennis Wedin, proposed reinstating the Water Festival in a modernized form, featuring drone shows and renewable energy-powered stages, to enhance Stockholm's vibrancy and highlight its unique waterfront. However, Finance Commissioner Karin Wanngård (S) countered that Stockholm already boasts a rich array of cultural and sporting events, preferring to evolve the city's cultural scene with contemporary and sustainable additions rather than revive the old festival.

Nike Örbrink (Christian Democrats) questioned City Planning Commissioner Jan Valeskog (Social Democrats) regarding a report proposing the addition of 287,000 rental apartments to Stockholm's villa areas, suggesting this might be forced mixing rather than anti-segregation work. She asked if villa owners contribute to segregation, if villa areas are problematic, if the city's vision differs from the report, and how garden cities will be preserved. Valeskog responded that Stockholm aims for mixed development to counter segregation, a goal the Christian Democrats also support, and that proposals are carefully reviewed, citing senior housing in villa areas as a desirable form of densification.

Moderate Andréa Hedin questioned School Commissioner Emilia Bjuggren (S) regarding grading issues in Stockholm schools, specifically asking what measures are taken to protect teachers from undue influence from parents and school management and how parents are informed about grading rules. Hedin cited teacher reports of pressure to award higher grades and a survey showing nearly 60% had succumbed to such pressure. Bjuggren responded that pressure is unacceptable and school management must protect teachers, noting that schools have support materials for handling threats and influence, but the primary education department does not view this as a structural problem in Stockholm due to a lack of grade inflation, with parental information provided through meetings and principal letters.

Moderate council member Per Rosencrantz questioned City Commissioner Emilia Bjuggren (S) on rising long-term unemployment, especially among youth, since the Social Democrats took office, asking for the city's plan to reduce it, boost vocational training, support sectors employing low-skilled workers, and if municipal taxes align with employment goals. Bjuggren responded that the Social Democrats are investing over SEK 220 million in labor market policies, strengthening adult education and municipal employment, particularly for those far from the job market, noting successful collaborations with industries and a decrease in youth unemployment, particularly in focus areas, while defending tax increases as funding these job creation efforts.

The Liberal Party expresses concern about the difficulty Stockholm's upper secondary schools face in finding work-based learning (APL) placements and questions why the city's own operations accept students from other municipalities. The Education Administration replies that the responsibility for APL lies with the schools themselves, as they best understand their programs and have their own contacts. While the administration offers support when needed, they do not believe the shortage of APL placements is a significant problem for the majority of schools.

Two politicians from the Sweden Democrats have asked the education board how they handle school employees who have behaved inappropriately or committed crimes, and are then bought out instead of being held accountable. They wonder how such individuals are prevented from being rehired and how children are protected. The Education Administration responds that they always follow laws and procedures, report crimes to the police, and that principals receive support in difficult cases. They also state that information about former employees' unsuitability cannot be retained after employment ends, but that reference checks and background checks are used during new hirings to minimize the risk of unsuitable staff returning to schools.