2026-03-182025/26:FiU26 · p.4FiUEconomy & finance
Actors and profits in welfare activities
Profits and providers in welfare services
What's at stake: The decision affects how much profit private welfare providers can extract and how easily they can establish themselves, which matters for how school, healthcare and social-care resources are used and for efforts against disreputable operators and welfare-related crime.
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 Parliament should now tighten the rules on profit-taking and the right of establishment for private providers in schools, healthcare and social care and set up a dedicated welfare inquiry, or whether it should await ongoing inquiry and preparatory work.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee notes that the right of establishment is already limited for tax-funded activities and requires contracts, permits or special conditions for private providers, that the inquiry on profit in schools has recently submitted its final report, now being prepared within the Government Offices, and that extensive work is already under way to improve municipalities' and regions' oversight of private providers against welfare-related crime, disreputable operators and corruption; against that background, the committee sees no reason for further measures at this time and rejects the motions.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 9 (S, MP)
The reservation holds that privatization and deregulation have increased inequality in healthcare and segregation in schools, and that resources meant for welfare instead go to large profit withdrawals or are moved abroad, while some residential care homes are run by criminals; it wants a welfare inquiry set up to examine how democratic control over welfare can be regained, how profit-driven operations can be reduced and a profit ban introduced in preschool, school and Swedish-for-immigrants courses, how non-profit alternatives can be developed, and a new law on need-based establishment rights to replace the current free-choice system, along with AI technology and a dedicated inquiry to combat welfare-related crime.
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 9 by S, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
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 | Abstain 0/0/15/7 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| S | No | No 0/93/0/13 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| MP | No | No 0/16/0/2 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| C | Yes | Yes 20/0/1/3 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| L | Yes | Yes 10/0/0/6 | follows the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| KD | Yes | Yes 17/0/0/2 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| M | Yes | Yes 60/0/0/8 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| SD | Yes | Yes 62/0/0/9 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
Broke with the party line
| CUlrika Heie (C, Västra Götalands läns östra) | Abstain — party line: Yes |
MPs whose vote differs from their party's majority position in this division. Marked with a dark ring in the chamber view.
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2025/26:171 by Nadja Awad et al. (V) request 9, 2025/26:322 by Ida Gabrielsson et al. (V) request 1, 2025/26:1083 by Markus Kauppinen et al. (S) request 3, 2025/26:1482 by Rose-Marie Carlsson et al. (S) requests 1 and 2, 2025/26:1807 by Aida Birinxhiku (S), 2025/26:2083 by Maria Stockhaus et al. (M), 2025/26:2777 by Nooshi Dadgostar et al. (V) request 35, 2025/26:2778 by Nadja Awad et al. (V) request 50, 2025/26:3557 by Mikael Damberg et al. (S) request 3, 2025/26:3560 by Mikael Damberg et al. (S) requests 3, 4 and 11, 2025/26:3584 by Mattias Vepsä et al. (S) request 4, and 2025/26:3645 by Fredrik Lundh Sammeli et al. (S) request 2.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2025/26:171 av Nadja Awad m.fl. (V) yrkande 9, 2025/26:322 av Ida Gabrielsson m.fl. (V) yrkande 1, 2025/26:1083 av Markus Kauppinen m.fl. (S) yrkande 3, 2025/26:1482 av Rose-Marie Carlsson m.fl. (S) yrkandena 1 och 2, 2025/26:1807 av Aida Birinxhiku (S), 2025/26:2083 av Maria Stockhaus m.fl. (M), 2025/26:2777 av Nooshi Dadgostar m.fl. (V) yrkande 35, 2025/26:2778 av Nadja Awad m.fl. (V) yrkande 50, 2025/26:3557 av Mikael Damberg m.fl. (S) yrkande 3, 2025/26:3560 av Mikael Damberg m.fl. (S) yrkandena 3, 4 och 11, 2025/26:3584 av Mattias Vepsä m.fl. (S) yrkande 4 och 2025/26:3645 av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli m.fl. (S) yrkande 2.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected 69 proposals on municipal questions. All but one of the proposals were submitted during the general motion period 2025 and concern, among other things, the municipal financial equalization system, targeted government grants, profits in welfare and social dumping. The Riksdag refers to existing legislation, ongoing investigations and work in the areas that the proposers raise. The Riksdag has also addressed a statement from the government concerning the National Audit Office's report on general government grants. The National Audit Office has examined whether the government designed the temporarily increased government grants during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effective manner. The National Audit Office's overall conclusion is that the economic stimulus measures could have been designed more effectively as a stabilization policy instrument. The government agrees to some extent with the National Audit Office's criticism, but emphasizes that it always strives to design appropriate measures during crises. The Riksdag recently placed a government statement about the fiscal policy framework into its records. In the statement, the government develops the principles for fiscal policy economic stabilization. Based on the government's assessment of the National Audit Office's observations, the Riksdag does not at present see a need for any further measures. The Riksdag placed the statement in its records and rejected the motion that was raised in connection with the statement, which means that the matter is closed.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to increase state financing of welfare with annual inflation indexation and to secure welfare through a guarantee model. (S, MP) — Reservation 9
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 introduce a total ban on all profit-driven activities within welfare and abolish school choice, and it states that crimes against welfare are best combated by making it impossible to profit on children, sick and elderly people.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to introduce a total ban on all profit-driven activities within welfare and abolish school choice, and it states that crimes against welfare are best combated by making it impossible to profit on children, sick and elderly people. It also wants to end market-based healthcare. An investigation into profit restrictions, reduced profit-driven activity and needs-based establishment rights is exactly what the plan requires.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill införa ett totalförbud mot alla vinstdrivande verksamhetsformer inom välfärden och avskaffa marknadsskolan, och den slår fast att välfärdsbrott bekämpas bäst genom att vinster inte går att göra på barn, sjuka och gamla. Den vill också sätta punkt för marknadsvården. En utredning om vinststopp, minskad vinstdrivande verksamhet och en behovsstyrd etableringsrätt är precis vad planen kräver.
- total ban on profits in welfaredecisive»Vänsterpartiet vill införa ett totalförbud mot alla vinstdrivande verksamhetsformer inom välfärden.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Left Party wants to introduce a total ban on all profit-driven activities within welfare.”
- profit ban against welfare crimes»Brotten mot välfärden bekämpas bäst genom att det inte går att göra vinster vare sig på barn eller på sjuka och gamla människor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Crimes against welfare are best combated by making it impossible to profit either on children or on sick and elderly people.”
- abolish school choice»Vänsterpartiet vill avskaffa marknadsskolan med start nästa mandatperiod.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Left Party wants to abolish school choice beginning next parliamentary term.”
- stop market-based healthcare»Vi vill sätta punkt för marknadsvården.« (party programme ↗)“We want to end market-based healthcare.”
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 wants to prohibit profit withdrawals in schools and regain control over where and when free schools establish themselves, which is the core of the counter-proposal's demands for a profit ban and a needs-driven establishment right that replaces the school choice system.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to prohibit profit withdrawals in schools and regain control over where and when free schools establish themselves, which is the core of the counter-proposal's demands for a profit ban and a needs-driven establishment right that replaces the school choice system. The party programme also demands that compulsory LOV be abolished in primary care and that public authorities have authority over establishments in welfare. The demand for intensified action against welfare fraud lies in line with the plan's demand to stop welfare fraud.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill förbjuda vinstuttagen i skolan och ta tillbaka kontrollen över var och när fristående skolor etablerar sig, vilket är kärnan i motförslagets krav på vinststopp och en behovsstyrd etableringsrätt som ersätter valfrihetssystemet. Partiprogrammet kräver dessutom att tvångs-LOV avskaffas i primärvården och att det offentliga har rådighet över etableringar i välfärden. Kravet på skärpta insatser mot välfärdsbrottslighet ligger i linje med planens krav på att stoppa välfärdsbrottslighet.
- profit ban and establishment controldecisive»Vi vill förbjuda vinstuttagen i skolan och ta tillbaka kontrollen över var och när fristående skolor etablerar sig.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to prohibit profit withdrawals in schools and regain control over where and when free schools establish themselves.”
- needs-driven establishment right»Offentlig rådighet över etableringar och verksamhet i välfärden.« (party programme ↗)“Public authority over establishments and activities in welfare.”
- abolished school choice system»Avskaffa tvångs-LOV i primärvården.« (party programme ↗)“Abolish compulsory LOV in primary care.”
- profit ban in schools»Ingen vinst på skolverksamhet.« (party programme ↗)“No profit on school activities.”
The plan wants to abolish profit-driven joint-stock companies in schools and put a stop to profit-seeking, and states that welfare shall be built on solidarity and not market logic.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to abolish profit-driven joint-stock companies in schools and put a stop to profit-seeking, and states that welfare shall be built on solidarity and not market logic. An inquiry into profit limits in preschool, school and sfi as well as needs-driven establishment rights is exactly that direction. The plan also requires that care is needs-driven and publicly financed.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill avskaffa vinstdrivande aktiebolag inom skolan och sätta stopp för vinstjakten, och slår fast att välfärden ska byggas utifrån solidaritet och inte marknadslogik. En utredning om vinststopp i förskola, skola och sfi samt en behovsstyrd etableringsrätt är precis den riktningen. Planen kräver också att omsorgen är behovsstyrd och offentligt finansierad.
- no profit-driven companies in schoolsdecisive»Miljöpartiet vill avskaffa vinstdrivande aktiebolag inom« (party programme ↗)“The Greens want to abolish profit-driven joint-stock companies in”
- stop profit-seeking»sätta stopp för vinstjakten i skolan.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“put a stop to profit-seeking in schools.”
- welfare without market logic»Välfärden ska byggas utifrån solidaritet, inte marknadslogik.« (party programme ↗)“Welfare shall be built on solidarity, not market logic.”
- needs-driven care»Äldreomsorgen ska vara behovsstyrd och offentligt finansierad.« (party programme ↗)“Elderly care shall be needs-driven and publicly financed.”
The plan explicitly wants to defend choice within care and protect and further develop free school choice, and the party programme builds welfare on joint financing with many providers.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly wants to defend choice within care and protect and further develop free school choice, and the party programme builds welfare on joint financing with many providers. A profit cap in preschool, school and SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) and a need-driven establishment right replacing the choice system goes straight against this. The plan wants instead to set quality requirements for profit distribution and close bad schools.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill uttryckligen försvara valfriheten inom vård och omsorg och värna och vidareutveckla det fria skolvalet, och partiprogrammet bygger välfärden på gemensam finansiering med många utförare. Ett vinststopp i förskola, skola och sfi och en behovsstyrd etableringsrätt som ersätter valfrihetssystemet går rakt emot detta. Planen vill i stället ställa kvalitetskrav för vinstutdelning och stänga dåliga skolor.
- defend choicedecisive»Vi vill försvara valfriheten inom vård och omsorg och bedriva verksamheten nära vårdtagarna.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to defend choice within care and conduct activities near care recipients.”
- protect free school choice»För att uppnå det måste vi värna och vidareutveckla det fria skolvalet, och åtgärda de brister som finns.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“To achieve this we must protect and further develop free school choice, and remedy the shortcomings that exist.”
- variety of providers»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 welfare that is jointly financed but gives choice and where more parties contribute to increased innovation, efficiency and quality.”
- quality requirements instead of profit cap»Vi vill ställa kvalitetskrav för vinstutdelning och stärka rättssäkerheten i betygssystemet. Dåliga skolor ska stängas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to set quality requirements for profit distribution and strengthen legal security in the grading system. Bad schools shall be closed.”
The plan establishes that care choice and freedom of establishment shall apply throughout the country and that profit-making companies shall be able to operate in healthcare and social care so long as quality requirements are met.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that care choice and freedom of establishment shall apply throughout the country and that profit-making companies shall be able to operate in healthcare and social care so long as quality requirements are met. A needs-based establishment right that replaces the choice system goes directly against this, even though the plan itself wants to limit profit-taking in schools. The counter-proposal's combined requirements are therefore rejected.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att vårdval och etableringsfrihet ska råda i hela landet och att vinstdrivande företag ska kunna verka i vård och omsorg så länge kvalitetskraven uppfylls. En behovsstyrd etableringsrätt som ersätter valfrihetssystemet går rakt emot detta, även om planen själv vill begränsa vinstuttagen i skolan. Därför avvisas motförslagets samlade krav.
- freedom of establishment in welfaredecisive»Vårdval och etableringsfrihet ska råda i hela landet för den som lever upp till kvalitetskraven.« (party programme ↗)“Care choice and freedom of establishment should apply throughout the country for those who meet quality requirements.”
- choice remains»Friheten för föräldrar och elever att själv välja skola är här för att stanna – men inte friskolornas vinstuttag på bekostnad av elevernas kunskaper.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Freedom for parents and students to choose schools themselves is here to stay – but not independent schools' profit-taking at the expense of students' knowledge.”
- profit-making permitted in healthcare»Vinstdrivande företag ska kunna verka i vård och omsorg så länge kvalitetskraven uppfylls« (party programme ↗)“Profit-making companies shall be able to operate in healthcare and social care so long as quality requirements are met”
- diversity drives quality»Enskilda alternativ i välfärdssektorn spelar en viktig roll för att driva på kvalitetsarbetet och« (party programme ↗)“Private alternatives in the welfare sector play an important role in driving quality work and”
The plan requires that production of welfare services in private administration or via foundations, cooperatives and voluntary organizations is given equal conditions as publicly run activities, and that the public sector, to the extent possible, is based on absence of monopoly.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that production of welfare services in private administration or via foundations, cooperatives and voluntary organizations is given equal conditions as publicly run activities, and that the public sector, to the extent possible, is based on absence of monopoly. It also establishes that citizens shall be given the freedom to themselves choose care provider and that independent schools shall be encouraged and supported. A profit cap and need-based establishment rights replacing the choice system therefore directly contradicts the plan's commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att produktion av välfärdstjänster i enskild regi eller via stiftelser, kooperativ och ideella organisationer ges lika förutsättningar som offentligt driven verksamhet, och att den offentliga sektorn så långt möjligt bygger på frånvaro av monopol. Den slår också fast att medborgarna ska ges frihet att själva välja vårdgivare och att fristående skolor ska uppmuntras och stödjas. Ett vinststopp och en behovsstyrd etableringsrätt som ersätter valfrihetssystemet går därför rakt emot planens åtaganden.
- equal conditions for welfare providersdecisive»måste produktion av välfärdstjänster i enskild regi eller via stiftelser, kooperativ och ideella« (party programme ↗)“must production of welfare services in private administration or via foundations, cooperatives and voluntary”
- absence of monopoly»Den offentliga sektorns verksamhetsformer ska så långt möjligt bygga på frånvaro av monopol.« (party programme ↗)“The public sector's activities shall, to the extent possible, be based on absence of monopoly.”
- free choice of care provider»Medborgarna ska ges frihet att själva välja vårdgivare.« (party programme ↗)“Citizens shall be given the freedom to themselves choose care provider.”
- support for independent schools»Enskilda eller sammanslutningar av medborgare som bestämmer sig för att driva fristående« (party programme ↗)“Individuals or associations of citizens who decide to run independent”
The plan makes freedom of choice a central part of the welfare model and wants to preserve free school choice, which is incompatible with profit caps and a needs-based right of establishment that replaces the freedom of choice system.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes freedom of choice a central part of the welfare model and wants to preserve free school choice, which is incompatible with profit caps and a needs-based right of establishment that replaces the freedom of choice system. The plan's method against disreputable actors is quality requirements for profit distribution and revoked licenses, not a ban on profit. The diversity of providers is described as a prerequisite for renewal.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör valfriheten till en central del av välfärdsmodellen och vill bevara det fria skolvalet, vilket är oförenligt med vinststopp och en behovsstyrd etableringsrätt som ersätter valfrihetssystemet. Planens metod mot oseriösa aktörer är kvalitetskrav för vinstutdelning och indragna tillstånd, inte förbud mot vinst. Mångfalden av utförare beskrivs som en förutsättning för förnyelse.
- freedom of choice in welfaredecisive»För Moderaterna är valfrihet en central del av den svenska« (party programme ↗)“For the Moderates, freedom of choice is a central part of the Swedish”
- quality requirements instead of profit ban»Se till att skolor som drivs i företagsform lever upp till högt ställda kvalitetskriterier för att få göra vinstutdelning samt dra in tillståndet för skolor som allvarligt brister« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Ensure that schools run as businesses meet high-set quality criteria in order to make profit distribution and revoke the license for schools that seriously fall short”
- free school choice preserved»Det fria skolvalet gör att alla barn oavsett bakgrund och ekonomi kan välja den skola som passar dem bäst. Den friheten vill vi bevara.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Free school choice means that all children regardless of background and finances can choose the school that suits them best. We want to preserve that freedom.”
- diversity of providers»En mångfald av aktörer är också en förutsättning för förnyelse och innovation.« (party programme ↗)“A diversity of actors is also a prerequisite for renewal and innovation.”
The counter-proposal wants to investigate profit caps in preschool, school and SFI and replace the choice system with needs-based establishment rights.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal wants to investigate profit caps in preschool, school and SFI and replace the choice system with needs-based establishment rights. The election manifesto explicitly states that choice within welfare benefits society and is important to defend, and that free school choice should be protected; the party programme sees private schools as a complement that pressures quality. The requirement for profit caps and abolished choice thus speaks against the plan, while requirements against welfare fraud are in line with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslaget vill utreda vinststopp i förskola, skola och sfi och ersätta valfrihetssystemet med behovsstyrd etableringsrätt. Valmanifestet slår uttryckligen fast att valfrihet inom välfärden gynnar samhället och är viktig att försvara, och att det fria skolvalet ska värnas; principprogrammet ser friskolorna som ett komplement som pressar kvaliteten. Kravet på vinststopp och avskaffad valfrihet talar planen därmed emot, medan kraven mot välfärdsbrottslighet ligger i linje med planen.
- choice in welfare is defendeddecisive»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, choice within welfare and international trade benefit society and is important to defend, but can at the same time see that great prosperity that is created must be shared with more people.”
- free school choice protected»Det fria skolvalet ska värnas för att ge valfrihet åt föräldrar och elever.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Free school choice shall be protected to give choice to parents and students.”
- private schools as complement»Sverigedemokraterna menar att friskolorna skall fungera som ett komplement till den« (party programme ↗)“Sweden Democrats mean that private schools shall function as a complement to the”
- stop welfare fraud»Stoppa välfärdsbrottsligheten inom socialförsäkringen« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Stop welfare fraud within social insurance”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:FiU26)
- Committee report full text (HD01FiU26)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:1083 — Ökad samhällskontroll av välfärden av Markus Kauppinen m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1270 — Statsbidragsprincip av Niklas Karlsson och Åsa Eriksson (båda S)
- Motion 2025/26:1285 — Reformering av det kommunala utjämningssystemet av Josefin Malmqvist m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1288 — Nationell framgångsbank av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1422 — Indexering av de generella statsbidragen av Åsa Karlsson och Helén Pettersson (båda S)
- Motion 2025/26:1478 — Öfaktor av Hanna Westerén (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1482 — Förbud mot vinster i välfärden av Rose-Marie Carlsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:171 — Politik för äldres rättigheter och välmående av Nadja Awad m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:1719 — Motverka kommuners och regioners omfattande utköp av chefer av Jan Ericson (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1786 — Det kommunala utjämningssystemet i strid med det kommunala självstyret av Boriana Åberg (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1802 — Tydlighet i hur kommunala och statliga taxor och avgifter motiveras av Jan Ericson (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1807 — AI i arbetet mot välfärdsbrottslighet av Aida Birinxhiku (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1847 — Motion om ett större statligt ansvar för utvecklingen av vårdfastigheter av Robert Olesen och Monica Haider (båda S)
- Motion 2025/26:2083 — Villkor för fristående utförare i välfärden av Maria Stockhaus m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2145 — Tydligare redovisning av kommunernas användning av skattepengar av Sten Bergheden (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2152 — Företags betalning för utförd tillsyn av Sten Bergheden (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2298 — Indexering av de generella och riktade statsbidragen av Zara Leghissa m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:2398 — Reformering av det kommunala utjämningssystemet av Markus Wiechel (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:2777 — En bättre hälso- och sjukvård av Nooshi Dadgostar m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:2778 — En funktionsrättspolitik för trygghet och delaktighet av Nadja Awad m.fl. (V)
Source: The Swedish Parliament