Friday, October 10, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

ICA CEO on price hikes: “We’re doing everything to help”

Welfare collapse

Published 7 March 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Eric Lundberg, CEO of ICA Sweden, claims that the food giant is doing everything it can to bring down prices.
3 minute read

Sweden’s soaring food prices have led to calls for a boycott of the country’s major grocery chains, with many Swedes arguing that the food giants are enriching themselves at the expense of the population.

ICA Sweden’s CEO, Eric Lundberg, however, rejects the harsh criticism and claims that they “do everything we can to help customers”  despite making multi-billion profits last year.

The Nordic Times recently highlighted how a major boycott of the country’s major grocery stores is planned during week 12 in protest against rising food prices an initiative that has been widely spread on social media.

– Food prices are becoming very extreme. They are affecting everyone right now, both me, who earns well, and those who are struggling financially, says Robin Lindgren, from Eskilstuna.

On social media, single parents, people on sick leave and pensioners are testifying to how their finances have already been stretched to the limit following sharp increases in housing costs and a general rise in prices and that it has now gone so far that they feel forced to prioritize food.

“Time to speak out”

Already a year ago, alarms were raised about the fact that many single parents cannot afford to eat enough or are forced to give up nutritious food. More and more people are also seeking help from the church or non-profit organizations, and it is common for parents to give up food themselves so that their children can get the food they need.

The owners of the food giants have long been accused of raising prices far above what is justified by the general price trend, and of exploiting inflation and an uncertain global economy to profit from Swedish consumers.

Food prices in Sweden have skyrocketed, and the hardest hit are those who are already struggling to make ends meet – the poor, students and pensioners. At the same time, the big food chains continue to report high profits. It’s time to speak out!” says Filippa Lind, initiator of the boycott campaign.

“Doing everything in our power”

ICA is by far the largest and most influential food retailer in Sweden, and CEO Eric Lundberg claims that he “understands the customers’ frustration” and that they are not raising prices without any reason.

– We are doing everything in our power. We are negotiating with our suppliers. Last year we invested more than a billion euros in lowering, moderating, food prices. We reduced the price of fruit and vegetables by over 12%, he claims.

– We are really doing everything we can to help customers in this difficult and challenging time, Lundberg continues.

“Invested to help customers”

At the same time, ICA Sweden made a gross profit of SEK 26 billion (€2.4 billion) last year but the CEO does not think this is anything strange.

We have invested to help our customers, he says, adding that the food industry is “a very investment-intensive industry”.

– If we compare the rate of price increases and prices compared to the rest of the EU, for example, we have had a lower rate of price increases in Sweden. If you also look at the total grocery trade, only two out of six players are actually profitable, it is claimed.

ICA’s share of the Swedish grocery trade is about 50 percent. Together with Axfood and Coop, it accounts for about 90 percent of food sales.

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Germany’s pension shock: people must work until at least 73 years of age

Welfare collapse

Published yesterday 16:48
– By Editorial Staff
In Germany's increasingly deteriorating welfare climate, Chancellor Merz is now signaling a dramatic increase in the country's retirement age - while money continues to flow to Ukraine.
3 minute read

While Berlin sends billions to Ukraine and turns a blind eye to migration costs in Germany, voices are being raised for Germans to work longer to save the welfare system. German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is preparing the country’s residents for a longer working life.

According to a new proposal, the retirement age in Germany could gradually be raised to 73 years as part of the government’s attempt to save an increasingly strained welfare system. Critics warn that the ideas about retirement age 73 lack both realism and fairness.

Friedrich Merz has stated that Germans must get used to the idea of less leisure time and longer working lives to finance pensions, healthcare and elderly care.

Meanwhile, economic analyses show that the country’s former strength as the EU’s economic engine has turned into stagnation. The deficit in public insurance systems is growing rapidly and several German states report shortages of both personnel and funding in healthcare.

The government’s expert council now warns that demographic developments require decisive action – more workers, higher fees and later retirement.

Money to Ukraine prioritized

But while Germans are urged to work until well after 70 years of age, Berlin continues to send billions to Ukraine. According to German media, the military and humanitarian support amounts to well above 40 billion euros since 2022.

Critics argue that the current government simultaneously fails to address the homeland’s own financial problems. The growing national debt, rising energy prices and weak industrial production have put welfare under severe pressure – but aid to Kiev remains unchanged.

Many Germans therefore wonder how the country can afford to finance the war abroad but not its own pensions.

Tens of billions of euros in German taxpayer money go to Ukraine every year. Montage. Photo: U.S. Marine Corps/Sgt. Samuel Fletcher, President Of Ukraine

Immigration’s impact

The official explanation for the crisis is an aging population. But several economists argue that the problem rather lies in the extensive immigration over the past two decades.

According to calculations by pension researcher Bernd Raffelhüschen, many newcomers contribute less to the social system than they receive back, especially during their first years in the country.

In an interview with German tabloid Bild from October 2024, he said that immigration will not save either the economy or welfare – rather the opposite.

Other experts also argue that integration problems and low employment among certain immigrant groups have become a long-term structural concern for the German economy. Despite this, the issue receives limited space in political debate.

Montage. Photo: Amisom, Pexels

The chancellor’s dilemma

The Federal Chancellor thus faces a double dilemma. On one hand, the finance ministry demands reforms to avoid collapse in the welfare system. On the other hand, new cuts and raised retirement age risk increasing discontent among voters who already feel that burdens are distributed unfairly.

The opposition, particularly Alternative for Germany (AfD), has quickly exploited the situation and describes the proposal as a betrayal of the country’s workers. Meanwhile, Merz tries to maintain a hard line against criticism and present the reform as a necessity.

But more and more Germans are now asking the question: why should citizens work longer, while billions continue to flow to both Ukraine and a costly migration system that few still believe will pay for itself?

FACT BOX: Germany's welfare system under pressure

  • Pension system: The statutory retirement age in Germany is currently 67 years, but proposals exist to gradually raise it to 73.
  • Economy: Germany's GDP growth has fallen to below 0.5 percent during 2024–2025, resulting in high inflation and reduced industrial production.
  • Support to Ukraine: Since 2022, Germany has allocated over 40 billion euros in military, economic and humanitarian aid – the second largest contribution within the EU after the USA.
  • Migration: Around 17 million people in Germany have foreign backgrounds. Integration and social expenditures are estimated to cost the state over 30 billion euros annually.

Swedish preschool chain extracts millions – children get less butter

Welfare collapse

Published 2 September 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Tax funds finance preschool – butter is portioned out in the smallest possible amounts.
2 minute read

The Swedish preschool company Hagvidson has extracted millions in profits in recent years. Meanwhile, the company is rationing butter and sandwich toppings for preschool children.

Hagvidson currently owns over 21 preschools across Sweden, including facilities in Falun, Stockholm, and Uppsala. The preschool company has grown significantly in recent years and has purchased ten new preschools during this period. During the same timeframe, the owners – three men from the Örebro region in central Sweden – have extracted €6 million in dividend payments.

The men have taken director fees and salaries totaling around €900,000, which is primarily based on tax funds and municipal preschool funding.

Despite the million-euro profits, the company is strict about imposing restrictions on the children, according to an investigation by the Schibsted newspaper Aftonbladet. The restrictions primarily concern children eating too much sandwich toppings, but also include limits on paper towel usage for both staff and children.

We need to think about how much butter we put on the sandwiches and the amount of toppings – more is being used than usual right now. If we want to keep using Bregott (a popular Swedish butter-margarine blend), we need to be mindful of this”, states a protocol sent to employees, which the newspaper obtained.

Half a cheese slice

One solution from the preschool company is for adults at the table to portion out the butter to ensure children don’t take too much from the package themselves. Furthermore, only one topping per sandwich is allowed, something that employees at one of the preschools also confirm.

The children get half a cheese slice or half a thin slice of turkey on their sandwich and eat a maximum of two slices of bread – one soft and one hard per day – yet this still seems to be too much, the educator tells Aftonbladet.

Hagvidson’s CEO Michael Enghag declined an interview regarding the children’s restrictions on sandwich toppings, citing the company’s “communication policy”.

Finland: Should children be forced to take care of their aging parents?

Welfare collapse

Published 20 August 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Critics note that many elderly people have no family or close relatives who can help them.
4 minute read

An explosive debate has erupted about the future of elderly care in Finland, where pension company CEO Risto Murto argues that society will soon no longer be able to afford caring for elderly citizens – and that responsibility must therefore be transferred to families.

Several politicians reject the proposal, however, arguing that it is the welfare state’s duty to care for its aging population in a dignified manner.

With the number of elderly Finns expected to increase from 600,000 to 900,000 people in just fifteen years, the country faces a demographic time bomb. Now Risto Murto, CEO of the occupational pension company Varma, has caused major controversy by declaring that Finland will not be able to afford today’s public elderly care in the future.

His solution? That adult children instead take over responsibility for their aging parents.

The statement has prompted several Finnish politicians to protest, and members of parliament in the Social Affairs and Health Committee clearly oppose the proposal, reports Svenska Yle.

— We shouldn’t go in that direction, says Henrik Wickström from the Swedish People’s Party (a Finnish political party representing the Swedish-speaking minority) firmly.

— We must find other solutions, argues Maaret Castrén from the National Coalition Party.

Number of elderly increasing rapidly

The demographic development that worries Risto Murto is brutal in its simplicity: Fewer and fewer children are being born while the number of elderly is increasing rapidly. From today’s just over 600,000 people over 75 years old, the figure is calculated to rise to approximately 900,000 in fifteen years.

But for MP Henrik Wickström, elderly care is non-negotiable.

— The major challenge is the shortage of nursing homes. We haven’t managed to develop services at the pace that the population is aging, says Wickström, pointing out that elderly care is a fundamental responsibility of the welfare society.

Maaret Castrén is even sharper in her criticism:

— Future elderly care cannot depend on families taking care of their elderly. That cannot be something we work toward.

“Not all elderly have children”

The Center Party’s Hanna-Leena Mattila acknowledges that the statement is understandable given the state’s strained finances, but points to fundamental problems with the proposal.

— Not all elderly have children, so how can we guarantee that everyone is treated equally if responsibility is placed on the family? she asks rhetorically.

Research doctor Sarah Åkerman at Åbo Akademi University (a Finnish university) warns of the consequences of romanticizing the image of family caregiving.

— It’s often demanding and involves much more than socializing over a cup of coffee, says Åkerman.

She also points out that relatives already carry a heavy burden in Finland, despite generous elderly care.

— Relatives already do a lot, and it’s not obvious that adult children can take on even more responsibility.

Critics point to several serious consequences if family responsibility were to increase. Many Finns live alone and lack children. Those who have children of working age would be forced to reduce their working hours, threatening employment rates.

The risk of increased inequality is also said to be great. Some can afford to buy private help, while others are forced to sacrifice their careers.

— When my mother became ill this spring, my retired sister could help the most. The rest of us in the family are still working and couldn’t help as much, relates Maaret Castrén.

Sarah Åkerman emphasizes the problem further:

— Being someone’s child doesn’t automatically make you a caregiver.

It becomes particularly difficult when dealing with dementia or other complicated care that requires education and professional competence that children typically lack.

“Heartbreaking when elderly feel like a burden”

Despite the resistance, politicians acknowledge that something must be done. If the state’s economy continues to deteriorate, the model where families take greater responsibility could become reality, according to Risto Murto.

But alternative solutions exist. Maaret Castrén highlights community housing and home healthcare as cost-effective models. Henrik Wickström places his hope in digital technology and preventive measures. Hanna-Leena Mattila proposes a form of “elderly care leave”, similar to parental leave, for those who need to care for an aging parent.

But for Mattila, the issue is about more than economics. She tells of her meetings with elderly people who are worried that society sees them as a burden.

— It’s heartbreaking when elderly feel like a burden to society. We as decision-makers in social and healthcare have much to work on so that elderly care is sustainable and everyone can age safely in the future. The only solution cannot be to place more responsibility on adult children, says Hanna-Leena Mattila.

Watchdog: Swedish food prices higher than justified

Welfare collapse

Published 29 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Between 2021-2023, food prices in Sweden increased by 28 percent - an inflationary spiral unprecedented in modern Swedish history.
2 minute read

Between 2021 and 2023, food prices in Sweden rose by over 28 percent – a price development not seen in decades. Now, the Swedish Competition Authority (Konkurrensverket) has released a report showing that price increases on several basic food items in stores have exceeded what can be explained by increased costs in the supply chain.

The authority points to lack of competition, particularly in the grocery retail sector, as a crucial factor behind the high prices.

The Competition Authority’s report – a follow-up to a previous analysis from 2024 – shows that grocery retail, food industry, and its wholesalers have maintained stable profitability over the past 15 years – even during the period when food prices rose sharply.

According to the authority, this means that price increases in stores cannot be explained solely by increased costs, but that retailers in many cases have raised prices more than cost developments would justify.

Our analysis shows that profitability in the industry has remained stable for a long time, even during the years when prices rose sharply. This reinforces our previous assessment that competition in parts of the food supply chain is insufficient, says Director General Marie Östman.

Competition deficiencies in focus

The Swedish Competition Authority concludes that high market concentration, barriers to entry for new players, and restrictions in trade agreements contribute to keeping prices high.

ICA, Sweden’s largest grocery retailer with a market share of around 50 percent, is being specifically investigated to determine if the company’s actions may have limited competition.

Well-functioning competition drives down prices and improves efficiency. The overall picture from our analyses shows that there is room for improvement, particularly in the retail sector, which ultimately can benefit consumers and moderate store prices, says Marie Östman.

Recent years’ soaring food price increases have had a noticeable negative effect on many households. Photo: Daria Obymaha/Pexels

The unjustified price increases affect household economies, especially for low-income earners and pensioners where food costs constitute a large part of their budget.

Several basic goods such as butter, bread, cheese, and potatoes have seen particularly large price increases in stores, exceeding cost increases from suppliers.

Food prices have repeatedly sparked debate in the Riksdag , and among consumer organizations demanding stricter regulations to counter market power and promote competition.

The Swedish Competition Authority continues its investigation of the grocery retail sector and intends to propose measures to increase competition and improve market functionality.

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