Sunday, October 5, 2025
The Nordic Times

Polaris of Enlightenment

Sunday, October 5, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

Breaking News

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/sweden-democrats-sweden-house-proposal-now-under-government-review/

Sweden

Sweden Democrats’ “Sweden House” proposal now under government review

Published 23 July 2025
– By Editorial Staff
According to Mikael Eskilandersson, the Sweden Democrats' housing policy spokesperson, at least one of the type-approved house models will be designed in "traditional Swedish building style".
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The Swedish government is tasking the National Board of Housing (Boverket) with developing proposals for type-approved small houses that can be built without building permits. The idea is based on the Sweden Democrats’ original 2022 proposal for a red wooden house in traditional Swedish style.

On Monday, the government announced that Boverket (Sweden’s National Board of Housing) will be tasked with investigating how type approval of small houses can be implemented. This involves realizing the Sweden Democrats’ idea of the “Sweden House” – a house model that should be able to be built anywhere in the country without requiring building permits.

— We know that many people want to live in small houses but far too few are being built. With a type-approved Sweden House that can be erected anywhere in the country, building processes can become significantly shorter and more efficient, says Infrastructure and Housing Minister Andreas Carlson from the Christian Democrats (KD).

Red house with white corners

When the Sweden Democrats presented their original proposal before the 2022 election, it was visualized as a classic red house with white corners. The party then proposed a nationally type-approved wooden small house of 150 square meters of living space, designed as a 1.5-story villa in traditional Swedish architectural style.

According to the Sweden Democrats’ housing policy spokesperson, Mikael Eskilandersson, at least one of the type-approved house models will be designed in “traditional Swedish building style”.

— A red cottage with white corners is perceived as safe and pleasant, says Eskilandersson.

He emphasizes that the cultural element in the houses’ design will be considered in the investigation.

— We see this as our proposal now becoming reality, even regarding the cultural aspect of how the building will look, he says.

Aims to simplify and shorten the building process

The assignment to Boverket means that the agency will map current regulations and propose models for type-approved small houses that do not require building permits. Boverket will also investigate the conditions for exempting such houses from other requirements that complicate or make construction more expensive.

In Sweden today, there is no possibility to get a small house type-approved for construction throughout the entire country. This means that every new small house needs to be specifically reviewed by the municipal building committee.

According to the Sweden Democrats’ original proposal, a type-approved house could save the builder between €2,200 and €4,400 in fees, while significantly shortening processing time.

Criticism from the Center Party

However, the proposal met sharp criticism from opposition parties. The Center Party in Stockholm calls the initiative “a mockery of all young adults” and argues that it is unrealistic as a solution to the housing shortage.

— That this is the government’s only answer to the housing shortage is a mockery of all young adults, single parents and essential workers who today are forced to live in sublet housing, says Jonas Naddebo from the Center Party (C), group leader in Stockholm city.

Boverket is to report on its assignment by June 2026 at the latest.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

TNT is truly independent!

We don’t have a billionaire owner, and our unique reader-funded model keeps us free from political or corporate influence. This means we can fearlessly report the facts and shine a light on the misdeeds of those in power.

Consider a donation to keep our independent journalism running…

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/swedish-police-children-killed-while-carrying-out-bombings-for-criminals/

Sweden

Swedish Police: Children killed while carrying out bombings for criminals

Deteriorating safety

Published 2 October 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Police urge parents to be present in their children's lives - both physically and digitally.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The number of bomb attacks in Sweden has increased dramatically – and increasingly, children are being exploited by criminal networks to carry them out.

Swedish police are now sounding the alarm after several young people have been injured and at least one killed while handling hand grenades and explosive charges.

The increase is dramatic. Up to August this year, 119 detonations have occurred in Sweden, compared to 76 during the same period last year, and increasingly it is children and teenagers who are carrying out bombing and arson attacks for gang criminal clients.

There are several documented cases where young people have been seriously injured, and at least one death has occurred when young people have handled explosives and flammable liquids.

— Handling flammable liquids and explosives can be deadly or cause, for example, serious burns, hearing damage or blown-off hands, emphasizes Dan Windt, operational coordinator at the Swedish police’s national operations center.

Hand grenades at preschools

Due to the ruthless exploitation, the Swedish Police Authority has launched a social media campaign targeting young people. The message is clear: never take assignments from criminals and never handle explosives – it is life-threatening. Police also urge parents to be vigilant and recognize warning signs.

— Parents and other important adults need to continue being present in children’s lives both physically and digitally. Ask lots of questions and ask for help. Contact social services in your municipality if the child is contacted by criminals, or alert police at such an early stage if you suspect your child is about to commit a crime, so we can prevent it together, Windt continues.

Many of the bombings have been carried out with smuggled hand grenades used for both revenge and extortion. On several occasions, unexploded hand grenades have been found in residential areas – even at or near preschools.

— An explosive charge or hand grenade can look many different ways. If you discover a suspected dangerous object, you should under no circumstances touch the object, keep a safe distance, warn others and alert police by calling 112, Dan Windt concludes.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/more-young-swedes-skeptical-of-democracy/

Sweden

More young Swedes skeptical of democracy

Published 2 October 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Not even one in four young Swedes believe they have the opportunity to influence society.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Fewer young people believe that democracy is the best way to govern a society, according to a new report from Ungdomsbarometern (Youth Barometer), a Swedish research organization. At the same time, trust in Sweden’s politicians is declining.

This year, 79 percent of young people see democracy as the best alternative for governance, compared to 88 percent in 2021. This development coincides with increased distrust of politicians – 45 percent of young people don’t believe they can solve the problems that exist in Sweden.

Meanwhile, six out of ten young people express increased concern that democracy in Sweden will be weakened.

— When young people look ahead, they do so in a time marked by crises and uncertainty. If you don’t believe that democracy has the power to solve major societal problems, it also becomes harder to feel that your own voice makes a difference, says Ulrik Hoffman, society and skills supply expert at Ungdomsbarometern, in a press release.

Less influence

In 2019, 52 percent of young people believed they had the opportunity to influence society, but now that figure has dropped to 23 percent. Fewer also identify with political identities, such as feminist or anti-racist. Concerns about war, crime and the economy have also increased markedly.

— More young people feel that the issues that worry them today are things they themselves have little power over, says Johanna Göransson, lifestyle and consumption expert at Ungdomsbarometern.

The study, which is conducted annually, is based on responses from 1,450 young people aged 15-24.

It should be noted that Ungdomsbarometern does not clearly define what is meant by democracy in the survey. In Sweden, the term usually refers to parliamentary democracy and the current political system with relatively free elections, separation of powers and protection of certain fundamental rights.

However, some political activists frequently argue that democracy is not just a form of government but also includes specific values within areas such as gender equality, “anti-racism” or climate policy – making democracy synonymous with a particular political agenda rather than a system of governance.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/sweden-invests-billions-in-roads-and-railways-will-take-25-years-to-catch-up/

Sweden

Sweden invests billions in roads and railways – will take 25 years to catch up

Published 1 October 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Decades of deferred maintenance are now to be addressed on both roads and railways.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Over 100 billion euros will go to maintenance and upgrading of Swedish roads, railways, as well as maritime and aviation infrastructure, according to the Swedish Transport Administration’s national plan for transport infrastructure.

At the same time, the agency announces that it will take 25 years to catch up with railway maintenance – and that several planned investments will be scrapped.

It was last autumn that the Swedish government decided to upgrade Sweden’s infrastructure with the aim of, among other things, creating better conditions for efficient and sustainable transport. On Tuesday, the Swedish Transport Administration presented its proposals on how the money should be used.

A total of 100 billion euros will be divided up, with half of the money going to maintenance and half to development of new infrastructure.

The plan is to, among other things, catch up with deferred maintenance on both roads and railways. The forecast for when they will be caught up with the work is estimated to be 2037 for roads and 2050 for railways.

— It’s possible to do it faster, but then we can’t allow as much train traffic as we do today, says the Swedish Transport Administration’s Director-General Roberto Maiorana to public broadcaster SVT.

“Travel will become more efficient”

There will also be quite a few investments made to meet “Sweden’s future needs for efficient, sustainable and robust transport”. Furthermore, they will also scrap certain projects that have been active, including the expansion of double tracks in Maria–Helsingborg as well as Gävle–Kringlan, which are considered too expensive. This is being done to free up money for other projects that they consider to have greater benefit.

— Much of this plan is about better conditions for commuting, a more competitive business sector and strong total defense. Travel and transport will become more reliable, efficient and safer, says Maiorana.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/swedish-government-opens-wallet-to-combat-racism/

Sweden

Swedish government opens wallet to combat “racism”

Published 25 September 2025
– By Editorial Staff
"Racism is a threat to our entire democracy", says Swedish Gender Equality Minister Nina Larsson of the Liberal Party.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The Swedish government is now allocating an additional €900,000 to long-term work against “racism, antisemitism, antiziganism, anti-Muslim and anti-Black racism as well as discrimination against the Sami people”.

The initiative builds on the national action plan that the government has used for several years to combat alleged discrimination and prejudice.

The measures will continue to be implemented within schools, working life, welfare and the justice system and will be coordinated by, among others, the Forum for Living History (a Swedish government agency). The goal is to combat everything from “hate crimes” to subtle prejudices, and the efforts are to continue at least until 2029.

— Racism is not just an attack on the individual person – it is a threat to our entire democracy. We can never accept that people’s rights and life chances are limited by prejudice and discrimination. That is why we are now taking a long-term approach to the work against racism. It requires perseverance, continuity and political will – and that is exactly what we are delivering, says Swedish Gender Equality Minister Nina Larsson (L).

Critics point out, however, that Sweden according to several international comparisons is among the world’s least racism-affected countries and that the problems often exist on the margins.

Symbolic action or real change?

Current and previous Swedish governments’ recurring focus on the “fight against racism” can be perceived as disproportionate, and some question whether the resources are being used effectively, or whether it is more about a political symbolic action.

At the same time, there are studies that indicate that certain groups, for example Afro-Swedes, face discrimination within important areas of society. It is a balancing act between acknowledging real problems and avoiding magnifying them into general societal crises.

The Swedish government repeatedly emphasizes that racism is “a threat to the entire democracy”, and that a sustained, long-term approach is therefore required.

In comment sections and on social media, however, many Swedes wonder when the “fight against racism” transitions into becoming a routine and unjustified political doctrine in a society that is already ranked among the most tolerant and welcoming in the world.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

N

Polaris of Enlightenment

News

Other

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Follow TNT socials!

X-twitter Facebook Telegram Instagram

© 2022-2025 The Nordic Times TNT.
All rights reserved.

Our independent journalism needs your support!
We appreciate all of your donations to keep us alive and running.

Donate

Our independent journalism needs your support!
Consider a donation.

You can donate any amount of your choosing, one-time payment or even monthly.
We appreciate all of your donations to keep us alive and running.

Donate
Dont miss another article!

Sign up for our newsletter today!

Take part of uncensored news – free from industry interests and political correctness from the Polaris of Enlightenment – every week.