Every six months, a different EU country takes over the presidency of the European Union. As of the new year, this office will be exercised by the Swedish government.
At the beginning of the new year, Sweden took over the rotating six-month presidency of the Council of the EU. The Scandinavian country replaces the Czech Republic in this role. The government in Stockholm named the EU’s unity in supporting Ukraine against the Russian war of aggression as one of the priorities of its Council Presidency. She also wants to work to promote free trade.
Sweden has had a right-wing government since October, supported by the anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats. This could make compromises in migration policy at EU level more difficult.
However, one of the main topics of the Swedish Council Presidency could be the dispute with the USA over the subsidy program for the ecological restructuring of US industry presented by President Joe Biden. The EU fears competitive disadvantages for its own companies as a result of the package worth the equivalent of 400 billion euros.
