Oxfam stunned Stockholm with a bold, guerrilla-style protest outside the Swedish Parliament. Eight life-sized mannequins, each representing a different party leader from Sweden’s eight parliamentary parties, stood with their heads buried in sand, symbolizing politicians’ refusal to address the growing poverty and inequality in the country.
As the city awoke, the protest took politicians heading for the parliament by surprise. The sight of the “heads in the sand” drew attention from passersby and sparked impromptu debates among politicians, many of whom stopped to discuss the urgent issue of rising poverty.
“We wanted to make a statement that would shake the political establishment. This wasn’t just a protest, it was a wake-up call. Each mannequin represents a leader that needs to stop ignoring the real issues – inequality, poverty, and the gap between the rich and the rest of us,” said Christian Jörgensen and Ulf-Paulsrud Sirbäck, creatives responsible for the campaign on behalf of Oxfam Sweden.
Oxfam’s stunt highlights the growing wealth divide in Sweden, a country often seen as a model of equality. While nearly 700,000 Swedes live in poverty, the wealthiest continue to amass fortunes. This stark contrast is one of the world’s most pressing issues, and Oxfam is calling for a European wealth tax to address the crisis.
Similar to the US, Swedish households are also feeling the pressure of a rising cost of living according to the Guardian*. With food prices soaring and everyday expenses becoming harder to meet, the struggle of the poor is growing more intense, while the wealthiest continue to thrive.
“Politicians need to wake up. People are struggling, but the rich are getting richer. It’s time for real action,” said Suzanne Standfast, Secretary General of Oxfam Sweden.
A recent Eurobarometer survey found that 70% of Europeans support taxing the rich to help the poor, regardless of their political beliefs. Oxfam’s campaign aims to bring this issue to the forefront as the 2026 elections approach.
