Possible hate-crimes, unemployment levels, and Apple’s new development office in Lund are a few of the topics covered in this week’s edition of News of the Week.
Fire in a tent camp might be a hate-crime
According to Swedish newspapers, the police in Malmö choose to initiate a preliminary enquiry concerning a fire in a tent camp in Malmö a few weeks ago. At first, the authorities chose not to proceed with any enquiries, but after having received new information about witnesses and a man living in the camp, who apparently has been threatened before, the police now choose to investigate whether the fire might be the work of an incendiary, and whether it might be a hate-crime.
Level of unemployment unchanged
According to Sveriges Television, the level of unemployment in Sweden has remained the same in the last couple of months. In October, unemployment was at 7.9 %, which is neither more nor less than what the data showed in August and September. On the other hand, the number of people having work placement increased slightly, from 66.4 to 66.5 %, according to data collected from Statistics Sweden (Statistiska Centralbyrån, SCB).
SD holds the balance of power concerning the budget
The red-green-pink coalition in Lund’s executive board won the vote concerning which budget would be implemented, Sydsvenskan reports. The result was in their favour after Sverigedemokraterna abstained from voting. However, although the red-green-pink budget was approved in the city executive board, it is not the final decision. The Municipal Council have to vote about it. There, SD is the party that holds the balance of power, and the proposed increase in tax is not something they approve of.
Uncertainty remains around budget vote in December
On Wednesday 3 December, a vote will be taken in the Swedish Parliament concerning the budget options presented by the different parties. According to Svenska Dagbladet, SD is zeroing in on a decision on the issue. It is hard to say how the party will vote; whether they abstain or vote for Alliansen’s alternative. Both options are problematic with respect to SD’s voters. Sveriges Television also reports that SD is not afraid of creating a government crisis through voting for Alliansen.
SD failed to estimate costs of immigration in Malmö
In Malmö, Sverigedemokraterna recently tried to estimate how much money was used for immigration in the city, Sydsvenskan reports. The results were a complete failure. According to officials from the party, the investigations stranded due to severe time constraints. Instead, SD chose to make the calculations based on the budget of the majority parties in Malmö, whilst the party awaits new estimates from another investigation.
Apple comes to Lund
Sydsvenskan and Helsingborgs Dagblad’s news blog, 8till5, reports that the American company Apple opens a development office in the facilities of Mobile Heights Center, in Lund. The reason for the interest in the region is unclear, but it could be because companies based there have come a long way when it comes to mobile technology and health care. The reason might also be something else entirely, but one thing is clear: this puts Malmö and Lund squarely on the map with respect to technology.
