Out of Control

Stockholm, Sweden went to the polls to determine whether the metropolis would continue with its congestion charging scheme. The program, by all accounts, seemed to be successful in achieving its goals: congestion fell by 50% and air pollution by 14%. But, it came at a political cost. After 12 years in office, the leftwing Social Democrats who imposed the charge were thrown out. Nevertheless, 53% of the metropolitan electorate voted to retain the program, so it will continue under the newly elected center-right coalition.

An informative article and interview by streetsblog.org on the election and its potential aftermath in Stokholm can be found here.