The Christian Democrats’ party leader Ebba Busch launches an attack against the LO unions’ ties to the Social Democrats. In an opinion piece in GP, she demands the unions stop excluding people with different political sympathies, end their financial support for the Social Democrats, and allow for politically neutral representation.

Busch argues that LO unions’ party-political line undermines trust in the union movement. She describes it as “unreasonable” that active members of parties other than the Social Democrats are not allowed to hold positions of trust.

According to the KD leader, the unions must also welcome people from other parties as representatives for their members. She specifically mentions Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats as examples of those affected.

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She highlights cases where Christian Democrats have allegedly lost assignments due to their party membership. In one case, a person reportedly was told that she was “incorrectly affiliated.”

Criticizes million-kronor support for Social Democrats

Busch also criticizes the use of membership fees for party politics. She points out that six out of ten LO members vote for parties other than the Social Democrats, yet millions of kronor still flow from LO to the big red party.

This concerns 6 million SEK of LO’s membership money in annual financial support to the Social Democrats. In addition, LO spent 50 million SEK of members’ money for campaigns in support of a Social Democratic victory ahead of the 2022 election.

Wants to introduce the Danish model

As a solution, Busch proposes an arrangement inspired by Denmark, where it would be voluntary for each member to let their membership fee be used for political contributions. According to her, this would strengthen individual political self-determination without limiting the organizations’ ability to provide support.

SEE ALSO: LIST: How many millions union leaders earn

At the same time, Busch emphasizes that KD upholds the Swedish model, where labor market partners regulate conditions without government interference. She warns that political ties risk causing division at a time when wage earners need to stand united in the face of challenges such as AI, international low-wage competition, and new foreign investments.

“The future requires unions that stand up for all wage earners regardless of political color,” Busch writes.