"The very growth of the Swedish population depends on immigration. This in itself helps create a stronger economy. And this I dare say, even if not everyone agrees with me in Europe," former Prime Minister said last week at a forum, organized by the think-tank CEPS, according to Svenska Dagbladet.
According to Reinfeldt, the reason for Swedes to work an additional ten years is to secure the financing for the welfare system. The former prime minister argued that this should not represent any significant difficulties, as life expectancy has been rising throughout Europe.
Reinfeldt is now trying to propagate the idea of sharply raising retirement ages across the EU.
"What does the word 'enough' mean? Is Sweden full? Is the Nordic region is full? Are we too many? We are 25 million people living in the North. I often fly over the Swedish countryside and I would advise others to do so. There are endless fields and forests. There is more space than you might imagine. Those who claim that the country is full, they should demonstrate where exactly it is full," Reinfeldt was quoted as saying.
Last year, Sweden took in over 160,000 asylum seekers and is still struggling with providing accommodation and jobs for the newcomers.
