No nordic model: Understanding differences in the labour migration policy preferences of mainstream Finnish and Swedish political parties

Abstract

This article examines labour migration policy formation of Finnish and Swedish mainstream parties concerning rules governing non-EU citizen entry, and the debate over transitional arrangements related to the 2004 EU enlargement. In both cases, Sweden stands out as the liberal case. In 2008, Sweden left its previous strict non-EU labour migration policies and implemented Europe’s most relaxed regime. Moreover, the country was one of only three EU members not applying any 2004 transitional arrangements. The Finnish experience is markedly different. Strict non-EU citizen immigration policies remain and transitional enlargement arrangements were implemented. Despite this policy variation, the migration policy dividing line among mainstream parties is remarkably similar. Finnish and Swedish Centre-Left parties tend to oppose less restrictive policies, while Centre-Right parties and Greens advocate less restrictive measures. To explore the sources of policy differences, we underline the need to account for ideology in relation to strategy, institutions and national context.