THE EX-COMMUNIST Left Party (Vänsterpartiet) are the most impressive winners of the recent Swedish parliamentary election. They are now the third largest party in the Riksdag (parliament). The Social Democrats and the Left Party are one vote short of a majority in the 349-seat assembly.
The Social Democrats, still Sweden's dominant party, have been forced to start negotiations with the Left Party and the Greens about a "long-term co-operation" agreement to cover the four-year term of parliament.
In elections between 1948 and 1994 the Left Party seemed stuck at 36%. This time they won 12%, with 20% of the vote among young first time vot ers, and about 27% of unemployed voters. Among members of the LO trade union confederation, which organises 84% of blue-collar workers, over 30% supported it.
The Communist Farty of Sweden developed to the right much like other European CPs. It changed its name to the Left Party Communists in 1967. In 1968 the party strongly condemned the invasion of Czechoslovakia, even demanding that Sweden should break off diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union! By the 90s, several leading members joined the Social Democrats. Autumn 1994 was a decisive moment. The new Social Democratic government pushed through an aggressive cuts package of 126 billion kronor (US$16.7bn.). These cuts particularly hit the unemployed, social welfare recipients and single mothers. The "savings-parcel" was only passed in parliament because of the votes of Left Party deputies. In 1995 the Social Democrats turned their back on the Left Party, preferring to agree their cuts programmes with the liberal Centre Party (Centerpartiet). One reason for the strategic shift was the Left Party's critical view of the European Union. The Swedish establishment is committed to this, but all polls since 1995 particularly among working people show that a majority want Sweden to leave. In this election, in the eyes of the voters, the Left In Party was standStockholm in ing for a traditional, social 1996, a Social democratic, Democrat-Left Party- welfare policy. The Green coalition cut true face of US$400m. from the the "responsible" Left health budget Party could be seen in some municipal governments. For example, in Stockholm in 1996, a Social Democrat-Left Party-Green coalition cut 3 billion kronor (US$400m.) from the health budget. Not surprisingly, Stockholm Voters have since elected a hour_ geois majurity. Tragically, the left inside the party reacted in a very confused way. At the 1996 congress of the Left Party, left-wingers denounced any co-operation with the Centre Party, while voting in favour of the Stockholm council's health cuts.
The "markets" have reacted to the elections very mildly indeed. The Left Party made it clear they will not "put at risk the repayments of the budget deficit", only wanting to pay slightly more slowly than the Social Democrats. In fact, Sweden's public sector debt is only 30% of GDP, much lower than the EU average of 50%.
Social Democratic Finance Minister Erik Asbrink has promised to comply with European Commission demands to cut unemployment benefit. But he will not have an easy ride.
The party leadership suffered a rare defeat on this question at the Social Democratic congress last year, showing the strength of traditional welfare state support that remains in the party.
The Left Party's election campaign included a pledge to increase unemployment benefits. But party leaders would rather prove their "responsibility" by going along with neoliberal policies.
Not all their strong parliamentary group had expected to be elected, and some might stand up for their promises (though initial statements are not encouraging).
There is no cause for exaggerated optimism about an extra-parliamentary fightback. Only one demonstration in the nineties attracted more than 8,000 participants - one of 30,000 against the austerity policies of a conservative government in 1993. The masses will not be flooding the streets in protest against the Social Democrats in the near future.