Every Swedish municipality received a meeting request from the government's national coordinator this week. The meetings aimed to discuss strengthening voluntary return programs for immigrants.
Finspång Municipality in Östergötland became the latest to decline the invitation. Council Chair Mats Annerfeldt stated the community has historically been built by newcomers seeking better futures. He emphasized this tradition continues today.
Multiple municipalities governed by parties opposing the ruling coalition have now rejected the meetings. The responses vary significantly even within the same region.
Nearby Mjölby Municipality will host the coordinator despite being Social Democrat-led like Finspång. Meanwhile, Center Party-governed Ydre also declined participation.
A Mjölby official confirmed they haven't made any policy decisions about voluntary return. She noted the coordinator remains invited regardless of the municipality's stance on the issue.
This coordination effort comes as Sweden's government seeks to implement its migration policies nationwide. The mixed responses highlight regional differences in approaching integration matters.
Local governments appear divided on cooperating with national initiatives they didn't help design. The situation reveals ongoing tensions between municipal autonomy and centralized policy making.