2024-02-282023/24:FiU26 · p.9FiUEconomy & finance
Ideologically-driven actors within welfare operations
Non-profit actors in welfare services
What's at stake: The role of non-profit actors in welfare concerns the diversity of providers in healthcare, education and social care, and can affect both who provides welfare services and how they are funded and regulated.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the government should be tasked with continuing to specifically promote the role of non-profit actors in welfare services, or whether the matter should wait for ongoing inquiry work on welfare provider models.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee wants to await ongoing inquiries into ownership review and profit restrictions in welfare services before considering further measures, and therefore rejects the motion on non-profit actors.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 7 (S, V, MP)
The reservers want the government to continue working to promote the development of civil-society-run welfare, arguing that the share of the welfare sector held by such non-profit actors in Sweden is small compared with most other Nordic and European countries, even though opportunities for such actors to contribute to welfare have improved.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 7 by S, V, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
The decision would have held
Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: LLiberalerna
Ja 168–127Ja 156–139
Counterfactual: the parties above are moved to the position their own documents explicitly point at, carrying their whole contingent present. Every other party keeps its real figures, including dissenters and absentees.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/19/0/5 | follows the plan | confidence: high | not addressed |
| S | No | No 0/92/0/14 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | No 0/15/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| C | No | Yes 19/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 12/0/0/4 | departs from the planagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 59/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 61/0/0/11 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects motion 2023/24:2646 by Mikael Damberg et al. (S) demand 5.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2023/24:2646 av Mikael Damberg m.fl. (S) yrkande 5.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected approximately 40 proposals on municipal matters. The motions address, among other things, the economic equalization system, long-term financing of welfare, profits within welfare operations, targeted state grants, municipal supervision fees, the freedom of choice act, conditions for actors within welfare, reporting on how tax funds are used, ideologically-driven actors, and knowledge dissemination within the municipal sector. The proposals were submitted during the general motion period of 2023. The Riksdag refers, among other things, to ongoing investigative work.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the government to work toward an equalization system that promotes equivalent welfare throughout the country to a greater extent. (S, V, MP) — Reservation 7
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan wants to decommodify welfare, introduce a complete ban on profit-driven forms of activity and stop the drain of tax revenue to private interests, while wanting to stimulate cooperative and worker-owned forms through legislation and tax policy.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to decommodify welfare, introduce a complete ban on profit-driven forms of activity and stop the drain of tax revenue to private interests, while wanting to stimulate cooperative and worker-owned forms through legislation and tax policy. Continued work to promote values-based welfare is precisely a shift from profit-driven to non-profit providers. The plan does not address the committee's reasons for awaiting ongoing investigations.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill avkommersialisera välfärden, införa ett totalförbud mot vinstdrivande verksamhetsformer och stoppa dräneringen av skattemedel till privata intressen, samtidigt som den vill stimulera kooperativa och arbetarägda former genom lagstiftning och skattepolitik. Ett fortsatt arbete för att främja idéburen välfärd är just en förskjutning från vinstdrivna till icke vinstdrivande utförare. Planen berör inte utskottets skäl att avvakta pågående utredningar.
- ban on profit-driven welfaredecisive»Vänsterpartiet vill införa ett totalförbud mot alla vinstdrivande verksamhetsformer inom välfärden.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Left Party wants to introduce a complete ban on all profit-driven forms of activity within welfare.”
- decommercialised welfare»Vi vill att välfärden avkommersialiseras« (party programme ↗)“We want welfare to be decommercialised”
- stop drain of tax revenue»Det är av strategiskt stor betydelse att dräneringen av« (party programme ↗)“It is of strategic major importance that the drain of”
- stimulate cooperative forms»Arbetarägande och konsumentkooperation ska stimuleras« (party programme ↗)“Worker ownership and consumer cooperatives should be stimulated”
The plan wants profit interests to be limited and not to govern tax-financed activities, and that society support cooperative and idea-driven activities as alternatives in welfare.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants profit interests to be limited and not to govern tax-financed activities, and that society support cooperative and idea-driven activities as alternatives in welfare. Continued work to promote idea-driven welfare thus follows directly from the plan's direction of taking back democratic control and stopping dismantling of public provision. The plan does not specify how promotion should occur, but the direction is unambiguous.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill att vinstintresset begränsas och inte styr skattefinansierad verksamhet, och att samhället stödjer kooperativa och idéburna verksamheter som alternativ i välfärden. Fortsatt arbete för att främja idéburen välfärd följer därmed direkt av planens linje att ta tillbaka den demokratiska kontrollen och stoppa sönderprivatiseringen. Planen anger inte hur främjandet ska ske, men riktningen är entydig.
- limited profit interest in welfaredecisive»vinstintresset begränsas och inte fungerar styrande för verksamheten« (party programme ↗)“profit interests are limited and do not function as governing for the activity”
- support for cooperative activities»Samhället bör stödja utvecklingen av de kooperativa« (party programme ↗)“Society should support the development of cooperatives”
- idea-driven alternatives in welfare»låta kooperativa, ideella eller privata alternativ medverka till att utveckla den offentligt« (party programme ↗)“allow cooperative, non-profit or private alternatives to contribute to developing the public”
- democratic control over welfare»Det är dags att ta tillbaka den demokratiska kontrollen över välfärden och att stoppa sönderprivatiseringen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is time to take back democratic control over welfare and stop dismantling of public provision.”
The party programme explicitly wants to eliminate commercially oriented actors from welfare and instead promote idea-driven activities, and wants to promote social enterprises, alternative operational forms and idea-driven organisations.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme explicitly wants to eliminate commercially oriented actors from welfare and instead promote idea-driven activities, and wants to promote social enterprises, alternative operational forms and idea-driven organisations. Welfare activities must not be treated as any ordinary market and any profit should be reinvested. Continued work to promote idea-driven welfare is therefore precisely the plan's line.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet vill uttryckligen få bort de kommersiellt inriktade aktörerna ur välfärden och i stället främja idéburna verksamheter, och vill främja sociala företag, alternativa driftsformer och idéburna organisationer. Välfärdens verksamheter får inte hanteras som vilken marknad som helst och eventuell vinst ska återinvesteras. Ett fortsatt arbete för att främja idéburen välfärd är därför precis planens linje.
- promote idea-driven welfaredecisive»vill därför få bort de kommersiellt inriktade aktörerna och i stället främja idéburna verksamheter« (party programme ↗)“wants therefore to eliminate commercially oriented actors and instead promote idea-driven activities”
- support for alternative operational forms»företag, andra alternativa driftsformer och idéburna organisationer.« (party programme ↗)“enterprises, other alternative operational forms and idea-driven organisations.”
- welfare is not a market»Välfärdens verksamheter får inte hanteras som vilken marknad som helst.« (party programme ↗)“Welfare activities must not be treated as any ordinary market.”
- profit is reinvested»Eventuell vinst ska återinvesteras i« (party programme ↗)“Any profit shall be reinvested in”
The party programme wants collectively financed welfare with freedom of choice where multiple actors contribute, and states that it does not matter whether the activity is run by municipalities, companies, cooperatives or associations as long as the needs of those affected are at the centre.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme wants collectively financed welfare with freedom of choice where multiple actors contribute, and states that it does not matter whether the activity is run by municipalities, companies, cooperatives or associations as long as the needs of those affected are at the centre. Civil society is given a fundamental role and policy's task is to remove obstacles to its development force. Continued work to promote idea-based welfare is therefore supported by the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet vill en gemensamt finansierad välfärd med valfrihet där fler aktörer bidrar, och slår fast att det inte spelar någon roll om verksamheten drivs av kommuner, företag, kooperativ eller föreningar så länge människors behov står i centrum. Civilsamhället tillskrivs en fundamental roll och politikens uppgift är att riva hinder för dess utvecklingskraft. Fortsatt arbete för att främja idéburen välfärd stöds därför av planen.
- diversity of providersdecisive»Oavsett om den offentligt finansierade välfärden utförs av kommuner, landsting, företag, kooperativ eller föreningar måste berörda människors behov och valfrihet stå i centrum.« (party programme ↗)“Regardless of whether publicly financed welfare is carried out by municipalities, county councils, companies, cooperatives or associations, the needs and freedom of choice of those affected must be at the centre.”
- multiple actors in welfare»Centerpartiet vill se en välfärd som är gemensamt finansierad men som ger valfrihet och där fler aktörer bidrar till ökad innovation, effektivitet och kvalitet.« (party programme ↗)“The Centre Party wants to see a welfare that is collectively financed but that gives freedom of choice and where multiple actors contribute to increased innovation, efficiency and quality.”
- remove obstacles for civil society»Politikens uppgift är att riva hinder och röja väg för denna utvecklingskraft.« (party programme ↗)“Policy's task is to remove obstacles and clear the way for this development force.”
- civil society's role»Det civila samhället, människornas frivilliga organisering, är en fundamental del av varje väl fungerande demokrati och välfärdsstat.« (party programme ↗)“Civil society, people's voluntary organizing, is a fundamental part of every well-functioning democracy and welfare state.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto requires that rules and procurement be designed so that idea-driven actors can more often contribute in welfare, and the party programme that room for voluntary initiatives in welfare shall increase and that a clear political objective be established for civil society's role in welfare services.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto requires that rules and procurement be designed so that idea-driven actors can more often contribute in welfare, and the party programme that room for voluntary initiatives in welfare shall increase and that a clear political objective be established for civil society's role in welfare services. The counter-proposal's requirement for continued work to promote idea-driven welfare is exactly this commitment.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver att regelverk och upphandlingar utformas så att idéburna aktörer oftare kan bidra i välfärden, och partiprogrammet att utrymmet för ideella insatser i välfärden ska öka och att ett tydligt politiskt mål upprättas för civilsamhällets roll i välfärdstjänsterna. Motförslagets krav på fortsatt arbete för att främja idéburen välfärd är precis detta åtagande.
- idea-driven actors in welfaredecisive»Regelverk och upphandlingar bör utformas så att det är oftare är möjligt för idéburna aktörer att bidra i välfärden.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Rules and procurement should be designed so that it is more often possible for idea-driven actors to contribute in welfare.”
- greater room for voluntary initiatives»Utrymmet för ideella insatser i vård och omsorg, utbildning och kultur, bistånd och totalförsvar« (party programme ↗)“Room for voluntary initiatives in health and care, education and culture, aid and total defence”
- political objective for civil society's role»Ett tydligt politiskt mål ska upprättas för att möjliggöra en utveckling av civilsamhällets« (party programme ↗)“A clear political objective shall be established to enable a development of civil society's”
- idea-driven are important in welfare»Idéburna organisationer och sociala företag som bedriver vård och omsorg utan vinstsyfte är« (party programme ↗)“Idea-driven organizations and social enterprises that conduct health and care without profit motive are”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The plan requires that non-profit activity be prioritized over commercial interests, that public, non-profit and private activity complement each other and that welfare services in non-profit form be given equal conditions as those produced in public form.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that non-profit activity be prioritized over commercial interests, that public, non-profit and private activity complement each other and that welfare services in non-profit form be given equal conditions as those produced in public form. The counter-proposal's demand for continued work to promote value-based welfare follows directly from these commitments and from the election manifesto's promise of a strengthened civil society.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att ideell verksamhet prioriteras framför kommersiella intressen, att offentlig, ideell och privat verksamhet kompletterar varandra och att välfärdstjänster i ideell regi ges lika förutsättningar som de som produceras i offentlig regi. Motförslagets krav på fortsatt arbete för att främja idéburen välfärd följer direkt av dessa åtaganden och av valmanifestets löfte om ett stärkt civilsamhälle.
- non-profit before commercialdecisive»Ideell verksamhet ska prioriteras framför kommersiella intressen« (party programme ↗)“Non-profit activity shall be prioritized over commercial interests”
- non-profits as part of welfare»Offentlig, ideell och privat verksamhet ska komplettera varandra.« (party programme ↗)“Public, non-profit and private activity shall complement each other.”
- equal conditions for value-based providers»förutsättningar som tjänster producerade i offentlig regi.« (party programme ↗)“conditions as services produced in public form.”
- strengthened civil society»STÄRKT CIVILSAMHÄLLE« (2022 manifesto ↗)“STRENGTHENED CIVIL SOCIETY”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan makes choice and a diversity of actors into core components of the welfare model and establishes that all sectors of society must be allowed to participate in the development and financing of welfare.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes choice and a diversity of actors into core components of the welfare model and establishes that all sectors of society must be allowed to participate in the development and financing of welfare. Continued work to promote idea-driven welfare follows from this, since idea-driven actors today represent a small part of the sector. The plan, however, does not specifically mention idea-driven actors.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör valfrihet och en mångfald av aktörer till bärande delar av välfärdsmodellen och slår fast att alla samhällets sektorer måste tillåtas vara delaktiga i välfärdens utveckling och finansiering. Ett fortsatt arbete för att främja idéburen välfärd följer av detta, eftersom idéburna aktörer i dag utgör en liten del av sektorn. Planen nämner däremot inte idéburna aktörer särskilt.
- diversity of actorsdecisive»En mångfald av aktörer är också en förutsättning för förnyelse och innovation.« (party programme ↗)“A diversity of actors is also a condition for renewal and innovation.”
- all sectors in welfare»Alla samhällets sektorer måste tillåtas« (party programme ↗)“All sectors of society must be allowed”
- choice in welfare»För Moderaterna är valfrihet en central del av den svenska« (party programme ↗)“For the Moderates, choice is a central part of the Swedish”
- greater diversity»Också här behöver vi en större mångfald.« (party programme ↗)“Here too we need greater diversity.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan states that the task of the state and municipalities is to highlight and support the voluntary sector, and that the guiding star in welfare is the best possible care per krona regardless of operating form.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that the task of the state and municipalities is to highlight and support the voluntary sector, and that the guiding star in welfare is the best possible care per krona regardless of operating form. Freedom of choice in welfare shall be defended. Continued work to promote voluntary welfare therefore aligns with the plan, with the reservation that public support presumes an activity consistent with democratic values.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att statens och kommunernas uppgift är att lyfta fram och stödja den ideella sektorn, och att ledstjärnan i välfärden är bästa möjliga vård per krona oavsett driftsform. Valfrihet inom välfärden ska försvaras. Ett fortsatt arbete för att främja idéburen välfärd ligger därför i linje med planen, med förbehållet att offentligt stöd förutsätter en verksamhet förenlig med demokratiska värderingar.
- stöd till ideella sektorndecisive»att lyfta fram och stödja den ideella sektorn« (party programme ↗)“to highlight and support the voluntary sector”
- nyttan avgör driftsformen»vår ledstjärna är bästa möjliga vård per krona« (party programme ↗)“our guiding star is the best possible care per krona”
- valfrihet i välfärden»Sverigedemokraterna ser att marknadsekonomi, valfrihet inom välfärden och internationell handel gynnar samhället och är viktigt att försvara, men kan samtidigt se att stora välstånd som skapas måste komma fler till del.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden Democrats see that market economy, freedom of choice in welfare and international trade benefit society and are important to defend, but can at the same time see that great prosperity that is created must benefit more people.”
- villkorat offentligt stöd»En förutsättning för att kunna erhålla stöd från det offentliga skall dock« (party programme ↗)“A prerequisite for receiving support from the state shall however”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
Share and embed
Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2023/24:FiU26)
- Committee report full text (HB01FiU26)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:1043 — Vinster i välfärden av Niklas Sigvardsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1288 — Ö-faktor av Hanna Westerén (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1358 — En kommunpolitik för hela landet av Lars Isacsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1432 — Nationell bank av förebilder och framgångsprojekt av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2023/24:1495 — Etableringsfriheten i LOV av Sanne Lennström (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2002 — Statligt underhålls- och investeringsstöd för kommunala fastigheter av Sofie Eriksson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2022 — Förbud mot vinster i välfärden av Niklas Karlsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2030 — Behovet av förändrade avskrivningsregler, lex Malmfälten av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2031 — Stöd till samhällsomställningen av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2118 — Tillsyn inom servicenäringen av Malin Höglund och Crister Carlsson (båda M)
- Motion 2023/24:2191 — Utredning av det kommunala utjämningssystemet av Maria Stockhaus m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2023/24:2192 — Villkor för fristående aktörer i välfärdssektorn av Maria Stockhaus m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2023/24:2198 — Tydligare redovisning av hur kommunerna använder skattepengarna av Sten Bergheden (M)
- Motion 2023/24:2211 — Reformering av det kommunala utjämningssystemet av Johanna Hornberger och Josefin Malmqvist (båda M)
- Motion 2023/24:2357 — Statsbidragsprincip av Niklas Karlsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2392 — Rättvisare skatteutjämningssystem av Christian Carlsson (KD)
- Motion 2023/24:2457 — Livskraft och framtidstro i Sveriges landsbygder av Muharrem Demirok m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:2480 — Skatter för företagande och tillväxt av Helena Lindahl m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:249 — Välfärdens långsiktiga finansiering av Kristoffer Lindberg (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2615 — Översyn av det kommunala utjämningssystemet av Ulrika Heie och Anne-Li Sjölund (båda C)
Source: The Swedish Parliament