STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Sweden’s minority government promised a 74 billion crown ($8.6 billion) boost for the economy in its 2022 budget, outlined by the finance minister on Sunday, hoping to woo voters and reverse a deficit in opinion polls ahead of next year’s general election.

Many of the previous pandemic assistance measures by the coalition are being eliminated. The budget focuses on transforming the economy towards a long-term growth path with additional money for welfare, climate change mitigation, and job creation.

The budget was summarized by Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson in Dagens Nyheter. She stated that the Swedish economy will be used to create a stronger, more resilient society than it did before the pandemic.

On Monday, the full budget will go public.

Sweden is a country that has recovered faster from the pandemic than many other countries of Europe.

However, there are challenges ahead, such as dealing the surge in gang-violence, attaining a goal of net zero emissions by 2045, and reverseing the increase in inequality.

With an election set for September 2022, the center-left bloc continues to trail the opposition. However, the Social Democrat – Green coalition believes that spending generously will attract voters.

Andersson, the Social Democrats’ leader, is expected to succeed Stefan Lofven as prime minister. Andersson will take over as Sweden’s premier if she gets a confidence vote.

($1 = 8.6185 Swedish crowns)