Communist Party of Sweden's 39th Congress Highlights Global Struggles and Socialist Agenda
Stockholm, May 31, 2025 — The Communist Party of Sweden (SKP) convened its 39th congress in Stockholm on May 30-31, bringing together delegates and international guests to address pressing global and domestic issues under the slogan "We Strengthen Our Party in the Struggle for Peace and Socialism." The event, hosted by the SKP’s International Section, featured a packed program of international greetings, speeches, discussions, and workshops, inspiring participants to intensify their fight against imperialism and capitalism.
The congress, held in a venue adorned with banners proclaiming "Solidarity with Palestine" and commemorating "Victory Over Fascism Day" (May 9, 1945), underscored the party’s commitment to anti-imperialist causes and historical communist milestones. Discussions highlighted the escalating imperialist competition and its devastating consequences, including ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. Delegates condemned the global arms race, noting that Sweden and other EU countries have drastically increased military budgets, which they argue comes at the expense of the working class through cuts to welfare services like education, healthcare, eldercare, and childcare.
A key focus was the current Swedish labor movement, with the SKP criticizing the 2025 wage agreements that fail to keep pace with rising costs, exacerbating the financial strain on working families. The party linked these domestic struggles to broader capitalist crises, accusing the ruling class of prioritizing military spending and corporate profits over social welfare.
The SKP outlined an ambitious plan to advance socialism as an alternative societal model, emphasizing worker-led resource management for the benefit of people and the environment. Over the next four years, the party aims to expand its grassroots presence through street activism, public debates, and the distribution of its revamped newspaper, Riktpunkt, which they hope will inspire hope and mobilize support for a socialist future.
International guests echoed the SKP’s concerns, stressing the global repression following imperialist rivalries. The congress also reviewed the party’s work since its 38th congress in 2021, aiming to adapt its organization to contemporary challenges while building on past successes. Proposals to broaden the party’s programmatic base were debated, with a focus on addressing more facets of Swedish society and refining demands and actions for the coming years.
The event reaffirmed the SKP’s commitment to engaging Sweden’s youth, with the Communist Youth of Sweden (SKU) playing a pivotal role. Recent campus occupations in solidarity with Palestine were cited as a sign of growing radical potential among students, with plans to establish stronger communist student organizations on campuses nationwide.
As the congress concluded, the SKP promised to release detailed statements and resolutions in the coming days, to be published in Riktpunkt. The party’s renewed focus on socialism and anti-imperialism signals a determined effort to reshape Sweden’s political landscape amid rising global tensions and domestic inequalities.
