Sweden to cut prices of public transport passes by half ahead of election

STOCKHOLM - Sweden's right-wing government said on Tuesday it has agreed to halve the price of monthly public transport passes in the second half of 2026, providing relief to households ahead of an election for parliament due in September.

The temporary cuts, beginning on July 1, are expected to cost 6.5 billion crowns ($699 million), education minister and Liberals party leader Simona Mohamsson said.

Previously announced measures designed to ease the consequences of the war in the Middle East included a temporary reduction of fuel taxes, electricity bill refunds for households and support to airlines.

"We are undergoing the worst energy crisis the world has ever seen," Energy Minister Ebba Busch told a press conference on Tuesday.

The minority government, which cooperates closely with the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats party, from April temporarily slashed VAT on food to boost households' economies.

($1 = 9.2988 Swedish crowns)

-Reporting by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Terje Solsvik/Reuters