Question Time

FÖRSTE VICE TALMANNEN

I would like to welcome the ministers. Questions will be answered today by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, Minister Acko Ankarberg Johansson, Minister Camilla Waltersson Grönvall and Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin.

A question must be of an overarching and general political nature or concern a subject that falls within the minister's area of responsibility and concerns his performance of duties. Foreign Minister Tobias Billström answers both general political questions and questions within his own area of responsibility.

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Morgan Johansson (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

It cannot have escaped anyone's notice that the NATO process seems to be in a deep crisis. This was further exacerbated when the chairman of the Committee on Justice, Richard Jomshof from the Sverigedemokraterna, thought that one could very well burn a hundred Qurans - a momentous statement just the other day, deeply indiscreet especially in the current situation. It has escalated this conflict even further. Most serious, of course, is that it looks very bleak when it comes to getting a ratification in place during the spring.

My perception is that the responsibility to try to tackle the situation lies with the government. My question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs is what plan the government now has to try to move this process forward.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! We have noted that Turkey has now postponed the trilateral meeting that was to be held between Sweden, Finland and Turkey indefinitely. There was no exact time set for the meeting, but the ambition had been to hold it in Brussels in February.

The government's focus and the way forward towards NATO membership is always to implement the memorandum and the commitments we have made within the framework of this, as well as to ensure that what we have agreed upon between Sweden, Finland and Turkey becomes a reality. Given the security situation, it is naturally important that we promptly become members of Nato.

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Morgan Johansson (S)

Mr. Speaker! The problem is that Erdogan now seems to have raised the stakes even further. He has received a new excuse to say no and, furthermore, an opportunity to drive this very actively in his own election campaign.

It is the government that governs the realm. It is the government that has the responsibility. It is the government that has taken the Sweden Democrats on board - the same Sweden Democrats who are now contributing to escalating the conflict and who are making the situation significantly more difficult.

We Social Democrats are always ready to cooperate with the government in a constructive spirit to get this issue across the finish line. It becomes difficult, however, when your own government base contributes to sabotaging the process.

My question then is: How will the government handle this to ensure that this situation does not arise again?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Yes, it is the government that governs the realm. The government is working with the memorandum that the previous government, in which Morgan Johansson was included, signed in Madrid in connection with the NATO Summit last year. It is the roadmap we are following, and it is that which will take us into NATO. When all conditions are met, the Turkish parliament will ratify Sweden's and Finland's NATO application. That is our view.

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Markus Wiechel (SD)

Mr. Speaker! That the public debate contains different opinions is actually nothing strange. It is a self-evident fact if one lives in a democracy. In a well-functioning democracy, it is a fundamental right to question, criticize, mock, or for that matter, provoke the authorities. The criticism can be directed at politicians, organizations, institutions, or even religions. One can, of course, have strong views on how an individual chooses to direct their criticism, but the freedom is there.

I would therefore like to hear if the Minister for Foreign Affairs or the Government intends to take any specific initiatives to explain Swedish freedom of expression legislation, not least in the foreign policy dimension and in relation to simultaneously cooling down the tense security policy situation.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Let me begin by being very clear, regarding the questioner's question: Of course, the government stands up for freedom of speech. But it must be possible to have two thoughts in one's head at the same time. We can stand up for freedom of speech and criticize the fact that sacred scriptures are burned in order to provoke and divide. To point this out is by no means to grovel for Turkey; it is about stating obvious facts.

It is important to cool down the situation, just as the questioner points out. We must remember that Sweden is currently in the most uncertain security policy situation since World War II. Carrying out this type of actions then does not directly improve the situation, and it is of course clear that as a government, one should be transparent about having that opinion.

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Markus Wiechel (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the answer, Minister for Foreign Affairs! I think it is positive that the Minister for Foreign Affairs has been clear on these issues, not least during the last twenty-four hours, and naturally shares the view on this type of provocation in this time.

Recently, however, we have heard how various debaters have outright questioned the freedom of expression, a fundamental right that we have in Sweden, including from a political standpoint. What is the Foreign Minister's view on this?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you very much for the question.

As I said earlier, freedom of expression is an indispensable part of the Swedish system of government. It is a part of our constitutional laws that we are talking about.

Regarding the point of view on religion, which has sometimes been raised in the discussion, that is not part of the agreement we have between Sweden, Finland and Turkey. That being said, I understand that from the Turkish side there has been upset over this, which admittedly was legal but for that reason was not respectful.

What is needed now is for the situation to be cooled down on all sides.

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Håkan Svenneling (V)

Mr. Speaker! In Iran, the people are protesting against a brutal and repressive regime. The other day, a couple was sentenced to ten years in prison for dancing in public without the woman wearing a hijab.

Many of us want to increase the pressure on the Iranian regime. Daily, I receive emails and messages from people who want us to brand the regime's most brutal group, the Revolutionary Guard IRGC, as terrorists. That is what the opposition here in Sweden thinks, and that is what the European Parliament thinks. We also hear more and more bourgeois members saying this in the Riksdag, however, without standing up against their government. Foreign Minister Tobias Billström, for instance, says no.

According to Iranian - note that - media reports, the Foreign Minister is said to have promised his Iranian counterpart in a telephone call on January 20 that the Revolutionary Guard should not be branded as terrorists, that it would be irrational. I simply wonder if it is true.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! I received this question during the hearing before the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, and I can say exactly the same thing here as I said then: It is a false statement from Iran's Foreign Minister regarding what I have said to him.

On the contrary, discussions continue within the EU on how we can keep the pressure up against Iran. Iran's Revolutionary Guard as an entity is already subject to EU sanctions on the grounds of its role in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. And many commanders and units within the Revolutionary Guard are already listed under the so-called MR sanctions regime. It is the sanctions framework that has been assessed as most expedient to address precisely those serious violations of human rights in Iran and the individuals and units that have been particularly involved in these, including IRGC commanders and IRGC units.

Listings under terrorist sanctions also require, as I explained in the European Parliament and explain here in the chamber today, that specific criteria are met. The IRGC can therefore not be listed under terrorist sanctions solely for the human rights violations ongoing in Iran. There must also be links to terrorism. It is this that makes the issue somewhat pedagogically difficult.

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Håkan Svenneling (V)

Mr. Speaker! Links to the IRGC exist in many directions. One such direction is to Russia and the terrible war that Russia is waging in Ukraine.

I think there are plenty of brake blocks in this. One of them is Foreign Minister Tobias Billström. Instead of acting, he spends his time groveling to despots. It took more than three months before he called the Iranian ambassador after the protests started and after the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini.

Mr. Speaker! It is time to repeat the slogans from Iran: Woman! Life! Freedom!

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! When Iran was put on the agenda of the Council of Foreign Ministers during the autumn, it was the first time in two years that it was put on the list at all. This happened after the Swedish government had specifically requested it. The claim that we would not do anything or not be active is therefore incorrect. On the contrary, we condemn in words and deeds the horrific abuses that have been committed in Iran over the past months. And we will continue to do so, incessantly.

(Applause)

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Malin Björk (C)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Social Services.

A 15-year-old was shot to death here in Stockholm this weekend. A 17-year-old is now being prosecuted for murder at a gym here in the city. Several minors are detained for serious crimes across the country. Serious crime is creeping further down in age, regarding both victims and perpetrators. It is a failure that the adult world cannot protect our children from being exploited and drawn into spirals of violence that can end in evil, sudden death.

In the report Children's rights in the line of fire, it is emphasized that preventive work is absolutely crucial and that earlier interventions should be prioritized so that children do not end up in crime. At the same time, we can expect that many municipalities will face a tough financial situation in the future.

How large economic investments can we expect from the government in the minister's area of responsibility moving forward? And when will they come? It is urgent to reach these young people if we are to stop the wave of violence.

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! Many thanks for a very pertinent question, Malin Björk!

No children are born criminals. All children have the right to grow up in a safe and secure environment where they can have a future and can make the best of their lives. We know that unfortunately that is not the case right now. Therefore, the Tidö Agreement contains no fewer than 22 points on crime prevention work. Today, work is ongoing on a number of the different points at the Government Offices.

When it comes to budget allocations, approximately 1.2 billion is already being spent during 2023 on crime prevention measures in various ways. I would like to take this opportunity to specifically highlight what, according to research, is one of the most important things: parenting support.

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Malin Björk (C)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the answer, Minister!

The government wants to ease the secrecy between the police, social services, and school. We in the Center Party also think that is good. The cooperation between the authorities must become better and smoother.

But in the Bris report, where children are interviewed, some children express concern about telling any adult, because the information could be spread further. How does the Minister want to ensure that children's trust in safe adults does not decrease if the secrecy is eased?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for another important and pressing question.

In the legislation that is now being prepared, not least at the Ministry of Justice but in close and intimate cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs, it is extremely important that the aspects that the member raises are truly included. This is something that is now being weighed into the legislation that will be presented.

Another important part that I want to highlight is that children are also included in the investigation itself, so that their opinions are taken into account there. It will be considered.

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Annika Hirvonen (MP)

Mr. Speaker! More than a year after the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, it is clear that all words about human rights were totally empty.

Today, girls and women are forced to wear burqas or full-face hijabs outside the walls of the home. Women are not allowed to work. Girls are not allowed to receive an education. From the sixth grade, they are sent home. The consequences are more child marriages. We also see that mothers are forced to sell their daughters to afford food and medicine for their other children.

Poverty, famine and excessive violence are increasing. Despite this, the government chooses to reduce aid to Afghanistan. What will the government do to ensure that girls and women in Afghanistan have access to human rights?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! The development in Afghanistan is appalling. For a year and a half, we have seen a deliberate strategy from the Taliban to exclude women from society. It has now culminated in precisely these decrees, which forbid women from studying at universities and forbid female Afghan aid workers. The parallel to the Taliban regime in the 1990s is clear.

The decree is clearly a violation of human rights and humanitarian principles. Sweden has condemned the Taliban's ban. We fully support all statements made in January by the USA, the UK, the EU, and other like-minded countries. We also, of course, have a dialogue on how one can influence the Taliban.

We are also working for a clear unity within the EU and the international community at large. At the European Council's foreign affairs meeting on 20 February, we will discuss the developments in detail.

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Annika Hirvonen (MP)

Mr. Speaker! It is important that the government continues to act against the Taliban regime while we support the population, who are in a humanitarian crisis.

For a long time, Sweden continued, despite the Taliban's takeover, to deport women to Afghanistan. Thankfully, this has ceased. But I receive reports that atheists, Christian converts, and hbtqi persons who have fled the Taliban are still being deported back.

What will the government do to stop it?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! To begin with, we are not cutting back on humanitarian aid; instead, we choose to expand that part. We also see that several civil society organizations are making major efforts to counter the root causes and to help people with the most acute needs through, for example, disaster relief, but also through support to the organizations operating on the ground.

I also want to point out that Sweden uses a legally secure system to examine asylum applications. It guarantees that no one is rejected if they meet the criteria in our legislation.

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Gustaf Göthberg (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Foreign Minister Tobias Billström.

Since the Russian illegal and unjust war of invasion against Ukraine began a year ago this month, the collective mobilization behind Ukraine has been extensive from both the EU and Sweden and our allies. The government's work in providing Ukraine with economic, political and military support has yielded results.

The ninth sanctions package from the EU, which was decided on 16 December 2022, is also very extensive. Now, 1,386 individuals and 171 organisations are listed on the combined sanctions list.

My question concerns the ongoing work with the sanctions. What measures will the Foreign Minister take in the wider EU circle during our presidency to continue to exert strong pressure on individuals and organizations that enable the deeply despicable and illegal war that Russia is waging against Ukraine?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is obvious that the Russian aggression against Ukraine must be met on all levels and that sanctions must be directed at the persons, individuals, and entities who are responsible for the warfare in Russia. It is naturally necessary. Therefore, Sweden will, during its presidency, work for a new sanctions package, and we think it is important that it also hits in such a way that one closes the gaps that exist in the current sanctions regime and makes it impossible for the Russians to circumvent it, for example in the form of imports of various supplies that favor the warfare.

We will also proceed to gather further support for a total alliance when it comes to the southern part of the globe, where many states are affected by Russian propaganda. It is an important part of maintaining the pressure against Russia and closing the gaps in the sanctions.

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Gustaf Göthberg (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the answer and for the work that has been accomplished in the EU circles, the Minister for Foreign Affairs!

It is evident that the collective response from Sweden, the EU, and our allies has been successful and perhaps more results-oriented than many expected when the Russian war in Ukraine began. But in Russia's and also our own vicinity, there is another country, Belarus, where we know the regime has enabled Russia to continue operating in Ukraine.

My question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs is how he views the possibilities of involving Belarus in the future in the work of establishing more sanctions linked to the security policy situation in our global environment.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is naturally important to continue working with sanctions regimes, and I do not rule out that we will also need to discuss Belarus in this regard. To date, the EU has introduced nine sanction packages, and it is our hope that one can continue to work with this towards February 24, which is the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Work within the EU is ongoing to explore how further sanction measures can be designed.

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Magnus Berntsson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! The Iranian people are persecuted today by their own government. The Revolutionary Guard is the regime's extended arm, and they arrest, torture, and oppress Iranian demonstrators – not least women – who dare to oppose the regime's extreme and totalitarian interpretation and application of sharia laws and Islam, including by forcing women to cover their hair and faces.

At the same time as the revolutionary guard oppresses the Iranian population, they sponsor and support the Islamist terrorist groups in Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. They resemble terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and Isis. The big difference here is that there is a state connection. Many countries, including the USA, have therefore already today designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization, and the European Parliament recently voted for such a resolution.

My question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs is therefore whether the government intends to gather support in the EU circle to terror-label the revolutionary guard.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! The Government naturally views the developments in Iran with the utmost seriousness, and we have expressed our strong support for the Iranians – not least the women and girls – who have peacefully demonstrated for their human rights in Iran.

Sweden has, both individually and jointly with other EU countries, strongly condemned the excessive violence that Iranian authorities have used against protesters and likewise the sentencing and execution of the death penalty in connection with the protests. Sweden and the EU have, during the recent months, taken a number of measures against Iran on account of this serious situation, including expanded sanction listings. Further listings may become relevant, and we naturally continue to work for the greatest possible international pressure on Iran - both bilaterally as the country Sweden but also as the chair of the EU.

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Magnus Berntsson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Minister for Foreign Affairs, for the answer! We Christian Democrats thank you very much for that and will follow the issue very closely.

I also want to ask a question regarding the fact that the regime in Iran has wanted to develop nuclear weapons. It is a threat to the rest of the world, not least the state of Israel. We in the Western world have believed that it has been possible to steer the nuclear energy program to become civilian, in exchange for sanctions relief. In a formal sense, the EU leads that work, which is currently on ice. Is it not time to also formally conclude it?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Europe has a security policy interest in averting a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Until now, JCPOA, which is the abbreviation used for this, has been the only tool to try to ensure this. Both Sweden and the EU still consider that the best and most sustainable long-term way to resolve this issue is through negotiation. It is also difficult to see what a better alternative to JCPOA would be, even if something such were realistically feasible.

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Martin Melin (L)

Mr. Speaker! I have a question for Minister Bohlin. The situation in Europe today is, to say the least, messy and restless. We read and hear a lot about the armed forces in Sweden and how they are being equipped. My question to the Minister is what the civil defense's upgrade looks like and how the government intends for it to continue being upgraded in the future.

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Statsrådet Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Martin Melin, for a very pressing question!

It is exactly as Martin Melin suggests, namely that for Sweden to have a resilient society and for the capability in our total defense to be high, strong investments in civil defense are also required. It constitutes a very fundamental part of our resilience, especially in a time when, in contrast to the Cold War environment, we have a war organization in the Armed Forces that is significantly smaller. This means that there are many new tasks that fall upon civil society to solve.

The government, in the current budget for 2023, presents an investment of almost 1 billion more than the path that was outlined in the defense decision of 2020. But the needs are great, and we will continue this work.

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Martin Melin (L)

Mr. Speaker! It is pleasing to hear that there is a government that takes civil defense seriously. Just as the Minister says, it has a significant, important function - not least if it were to become a worst-case scenario.

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Statsrådet Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M)

Mr. Speaker! Let me emphasize that the dimensioning task that we now mean the civil defense has is fundamentally different from the crisis preparedness and crisis management that has been engaged in over the last 20-25 years. War, or the armed attack, as a dimensioning task places completely different demands on the entire society and the civil defense, and then above all on being able to help the Armed Forces to solve its tasks in such an event.

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Anna Vikström (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Acko Ankarberg Johansson.

On Monday, we could take note of the Swedish Medical Association's news that two out of ten doctors do not have time for direct patient work within the framework of their normal working hours. Ivo's review of hospital care was also recently published and shows major deficiencies. According to the Swedish Association of Nurses, more nurses are now leaving the profession. They do not want to work in a work environment where more and more healthcare injuries occur or where they themselves risk becoming ill.

Swedish healthcare is constantly understaffed, and the working conditions are beyond criticism. It affects the patients, and it affects patient safety. The situation is serious.

The Social Democratic government appointed the national healthcare competence council at the National Board of Health and Welfare. The government has recently given the council a new mandate. My question is how the government intends for the council to have clearer opportunities to steer the development. Is the Minister considering legislative changes?

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank the member for a very important question.

When we normally talk about healthcare in the Riksdag, we usually start by saying that Swedish healthcare stands strong. We rank high in all performance measurements. At the same time, we have problems. But right now, we are in a situation where I mostly need to focus on all the challenges and problems that we have in Swedish healthcare.

I know that we are still very good, but we need to put all focus on the very difficult situation that every employee and every patient is in. Concrete measures in the near term are required so that employees feel that something is happening now. Their trust in their employers has been chipped away - not once or twice, but over a fairly long period. They must therefore see a change very soon.

The National Care Competence Council shall return with concrete proposals that lead to real changes. We will gladly follow up on what they come up with. I do not hesitate, however, regarding legislative changes if they are required.

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Sara-Lena Bjälkö (SD)

Mr. Speaker! The Emergency Police was previously a civil defense resource shared between the Swedish National Police Board and MSB. The organization's existence or non-existence has been discussed in various investigations, but against the background of the situation we have with both Russia and the ongoing gang warfare, we should be able to conclude that the police need a reinforcement resource in both peacetime and wartime. The Police Authority, which is a civil defense resource, is already extremely strained today, and I can imagine that the pressure will increase significantly in wartime.

On 4 May 2022, the Committee on Justice and, among others, the Moderaterna and Sverigedemokraterna submitted a motion to the government regarding a reinstatement of the emergency police. Will Minister Bohlin work to ensure that the government submits a proposal for a reinstatement of the emergency police?

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Statsrådet Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much for the question. However, it does not fall under my area of responsibility, but rather it falls under Minister Strömmer. The question is being prepared within the Government Offices, and we will return to this further ahead.

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Jacob Risberg (MP)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Turkey has for many years slid further and further down in the rankings of democracy and freedom. In V-Dem's democracy report for 2022, Turkey is among the least democratic fifth of the world's countries together with states such as Russia, Qatar and Myanmar, and the development is continued to be negative.

We are concerned about the democratic regression that can be seen today. Journalists and dissidents have been imprisoned. Free media is controlled and shut down. Civilians have been attacked within the country but also in other countries. These are worrying trends that must be broken. At the same time, the Foreign Minister has on several occasions repeated that Turkey is a democracy and that it has free elections.

Mr. Speaker! My question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs therefore concerns how he defines democracy and how the elections can be described as free if thousands of opposition members have been imprisoned and free media has been shut down.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Turkey is a democracy, albeit with challenges. They have general elections, and they have an opposition. But the government also naturally follows the developments in Turkey regarding respect for human rights, democracy, and the principles of the rule of law.

Turkey is a country with popular government and general elections. There are several parties that one can vote for in a democratic manner. Democracy can, as is known, be measured in different ways, both regarding method and goal. One can also see how the degree of democracy varies based on various measurable factors.

Our missions in Ankara and Istanbul naturally have a wide spectrum of direct contacts with Turkish representatives, civil society actors, and human rights defenders. This is important to emphasize. There is no reason to mince words when it comes to saying that Turkey is a democracy that has problems, but at the same time, we must also acknowledge that the great interest that currently exists regarding the election in Turkey underscores more than anything that democratic principles actually prevail there as well.

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Crister Carlsson (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Health Acko Ankarberg Johansson, and it is perhaps a somewhat more specific question.

Sweden is a large and sparsely populated country. Therefore, infrastructure is important, not least in healthcare and emergency care. I am thinking primarily of ambulance helicopters and the transport of critically ill and injured persons.

In Sweden, we have about ten ambulance helicopters spread across the country. They are organized in somewhat different ways, for example via municipal associations, but have no direct central management. In Norway, however, they are more state-funded and centrally managed.

The question has been debated and contested in Sweden throughout the ages. What are the Minister's thoughts on this issue?

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank the member for the question.

As you understand, the government will include this issue when we investigate the ownership of the entire health and medical care system. This could be what is called a low-hanging fruit. This fits. It is more expedient for the state to take a greater responsibility. Right now, however, we are providing special support to the ambulance services to support them across the entire country and where there are challenges and problems.

I believe it is as the member says: Each issue needs to be assessed individually. How should we govern so that it becomes most expedient? In some issues, it is more expedient to do it entirely nationally. In other matters, one needs a greater scope to decide on them locally and choose the forms for them.

Obtaining a functioning ambulance service with helicopters or otherwise is perhaps something that is better resolved nationally. The question will be tested in the future in upcoming investigations.

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Gudrun Brunegård (KD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Health Acko Ankarberg Johansson.

The Minister has previously during the question period touched upon the difficult situation that both patients and staff face within maternity care and within healthcare in general. Many units in our country are struggling with severe staffing problems in healthcare and not least within maternity care. At the same time, a large number of trained midwives have chosen to leave their jobs due to the heavy workload.

How will the government act to resolve the staffing problems in healthcare and particularly in maternity care?

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank the member for the question, which is fundamentally exactly the same as the one Anna Vikström asked.

We have a skills shortage and need more employees who can manage to stay in the profession and who also have the opportunity to move up to full-time. There are so many employees within health and medical care who have been forced to reduce their hours, not because they want to for private or personal reasons—one always has the possibility to do that—but because the work is too heavy. This is, therefore, an employer issue and a question of skills shortage that must be addressed from the regional level, and the state must also be there to provide support.

Let us take maternity care as an example. If all the midwives who today work part-time had the opportunity to move up to full-time, it would correspond to 790 more full-time positions. It is absolutely fantastic.

Such a change can be achieved very quickly if, as an employer, one has the opportunity to introduce measures that create trust and that enable staff to manage working full-time. Perhaps some will also return. We therefore believe that the regions need long-term conditions so that they can make necessary changes.

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Johan Büser (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Foreign Minister Tobias Billström.

The last year became the most violent in Palestine in a very long time. Just the last week, the violence has escalated in the region. Now, at the same time, the most far-right government we have seen in Israel has taken office. It has made clear that the settlements, in violation of international law, will continue with full force. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemns the violence. He points out that Israel has a special responsibility as the stronger party in the conflict. He argues that the Israeli settlements also pose a major threat to peace.

The announcement we have received so far regarding Palestine from the government is that the aid is to be cut by nearly half. But when it comes to violations of human rights, forced displacements of people and deadly violence in Palestine, there is silence from the government.

Therefore, I want to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs: How does the Minister for Foreign Affairs view the accelerating Israeli settlements, which are occurring in violation of international law? Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in various contexts moving forward, push to stop these?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Sweden's and the EU's policy is based on international law. The only long-term sustainable option for a long-term solution to the conflict is an end to the occupation and a two-state solution that is anchored in international law and negotiated between the parties. Like the rest of the EU, we are clear from the government's side regarding the actions that undermine the possibility of such a solution, as well as, naturally, regarding decisions and actions that violate international law.

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Rasmus Giertz (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Foreign Minister Tobias Billström. China is considered to constitute the long-term dimensioning threat to the rules-based world order. The tension in the Taiwan Strait affects world trade, geopolitical developments, and not least, naturally, Taiwan. Despite the intention to establish a House of Sweden, with everything that entails, we see that it is moving slowly and that the representation in Taipei remains vacant.

Taiwan is one of the world's most prosperous countries. It is an incredibly important partner, particularly regarding trade. This will become even more important in the future. What is the government doing to prioritize this and ensure that, as quickly as possible after several years of mismanagement, there is an office on the ground?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is very worrying, just as the questioner points out, that tensions in the Taiwan Strait are increasing. The use of military threats is, of course, unacceptable. Differences of opinion must be resolved in a peaceful manner and in a way that corresponds with the democratic will of Taiwan's population.

Sweden's one-China policy is fixed. This means that we have diplomatic relations only with the People's Republic of China. At the same time, we have for a long time had a broad and well-developed cooperation and exchange with Taiwan, which we want to continue to develop within the framework of the one-China policy. Taiwan is, as we all know, a well-developed democracy with good compliance with human rights and has one of the most important economies. Sweden and Taiwan have a well-developed trade and investment exchange and good cooperation in issues such as human rights, equality, climate, and innovation. We naturally intend to continue developing this in various forms.

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Ulf Holm (MP)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to the Minister for Civil Defence. It is evident that a disinformation campaign is underway in and against Sweden. The Psychological Defence Authority, which falls under the Minister's department, has this week warned that the tone towards Sweden is more aggressive than before and that Sweden is a legitimate target for terrorism, which is, of course, very serious.

We all have a responsibility in this situation to tone down the situation instead of escalating it further. At the same time, we must stand up for Swedish freedom of speech, which we in Miljöpartiet consider to be very important. However, there are forces in Sweden that are now exploiting the situation for their own political purposes and are becoming pawns in the game for foreign interests and foreign actors, for example Russia. This concerns, for example, book burnings and Quran burnings.

My question to the Minister is therefore what initiatives he will take so that the authority can identify and counter the forces that are now discredit Sweden and create a threat to Swedes in and outside Sweden.

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Statsrådet Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Ulf Holm for the question. I share the member's description of the problem. Sweden finds itself in a very difficult security policy situation. We see foreign actors conducting influence campaigns against Sweden in a way that aims to discredit Swedish security policy interests, and it is naturally serious.

This work will, of course, continue to be carried out with strength from the government's side. In the near future, we will present a renewed and deepened mandate for the authority in question. We will return to that in the near future.

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Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall.

We have in recent times been deeply affected by what we have heard about various children who have suffered in our country. No one could have missed "Lilla hjärtat" or Tintin. In these cases, it went so badly that the children involved died. There are more examples where this has happened. Every time we think: This must not happen again!

There are also many vulnerable children who are not doing as badly but who live under difficult conditions under insecurity, perhaps in the home or somewhere else, and feel very insecure for a long time. It should be obvious that the children's best interests are always put first. Here, the previous government has done far too little.

My question is: What measures does the Minister for Social Services intend to take to strengthen the security of socially vulnerable children?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you very much for an extremely pressing question. Strengthening the future of socially vulnerable children is an extremely important focus for the government. Just as the member points out, it is incredibly important that we change the focus. Today, the focus is on parents' rights, but it should truly be about the best interests of the child.

That is why the government intends, among other things, to implement all 27 announcements from the Social Affairs Committee regarding the situation of vulnerable children. I want to briefly mention that it, for example, involves making children their own rights holders and implementing the proposal in Anders Hagsgård's investigation, which the Social Affairs Committee initiated. It also involves proposals regarding visitation rights. No parent should have to choose between their own safety and their children's security. There are many measures we will return with.

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Ida Ekeroth Clausson (S)

Mr. Speaker! I would like to ask a question to Foreign Minister Billström.

Sweden reaches its worst ranking in over ten years in Transparency International's annual corruption index, at the same time as the government shuts down the investigation into corruption and undue influence in public activities and the business sector. Sweden is one of the countries in Western Europe that has privatized the most public activities, which entails large corruption risks. We also have problems with organized crime, which is also a major risk factor for precisely corruption.

I therefore want to ask the Minister what the government intends to do so that corruption does not become a serious problem in our country.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! The development that, according to the latest corruption index, has been ongoing since 2012 must be broken. The Government considers this issue to be so important that it requires a new and broader holistic approach.

The previous investigation, which was commissioned by the previous government, did not live up to this government's higher ambitions in the area. The directives were too general. At the same time, the EU Commission has announced a new anti-corruption package during this year. This will likely require changes in the Swedish bribery legislation.

To capture all these parts, including the provisions we have in the Tidö Agreement regarding reintroduced civil servant responsibility, the government judged that a new investigation with sharper directives was needed, also so that the investigation would result in concrete and usable legislation. It is about broadening from solely corruption and undue influence to also include the direction for the upcoming EU initiative and civil servant responsibility. That work is currently being carried out at the Ministry of Justice.

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Carita Boulwén (SD)

Mr. Speaker! We have an enormous number of competent people working within healthcare. But repeatedly, we have been able to see reports that deficient doctors have been allowed to continue treating patients despite being judged to be directly dangerous to patients and having received a number of reports from Ivo. Among other things, SVT conducted an investigation a number of years ago where they revealed how locum doctors who were judged to be unsuitable or even a direct danger to patient safety could have received new assignments despite serious deficiencies in competence and how, after being stopped from one job, they could move on to another.

The review then led to the rental car industry's trade organization, together with SKR and Ivo, holding a crisis meeting where it was decided that a number of routines and controls should be tightened. But despite this, new cases are constantly being uncovered one after another.

In the past week, we could also read about a new joint lease agreement that has been stopped, which the regions have worked on for a couple of years and which was judged to secure, among other things, the controls.

The Minister for Health is certainly just as eager as we in the Sweden Democrats that patients should both feel and be safe in care and also be able to trust that licensed staff have the qualifications required.

My question to Minister for Health Acko Ankarberg Johansson is: What does the Minister consider is required to truly ensure that doctors or other healthcare personnel who are judged to be unsuitable or even a danger to patients do not continue to endanger patients' health and lives?

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, member, for the question!

Licensed personnel are subject to supervision. If personnel fail in this, it can be reported and also be reviewed in the Health and Medical Care Responsibility Committee, and personnel can even be stripped of their license. These are sharp tools, and we shall use them.

That is why the work that our major supervisory authority Ivo does is important. In recent years, it has begun to use more sharp tools. It is not always appreciated. But it is necessary because we have laws that we work under.

It is necessary that we continue to have an active state supervision and use the Health and Medical Care Responsibility Board in all cases where it is needed. It also applies that every region, when concluding agreements and hiring new staff, ensures that they have the competence that is required.

We have seen far too many stories where staff have been hired in healthcare and also in social services who do not have the required competence. Sometimes perhaps it is the lack of competence that causes one to hire the first person who comes along. But that is not acceptable in either social services or healthcare. Staff must have the right competence.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Boriana Åberg (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Foreign Minister Tobias Billström.

Several hundred people with Swedish citizenship joined Daish to rape, murder and commit horrific crimes to realize the dream of a caliphate built on Sharia laws.

Daish still has active cells even in Europe. What is the government doing to prevent support, financing, recruitment and all other forms of cooperation with Daish and other terrorist organizations?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the question, member!

This is very important and an issue where one can truly say that cooperation across borders is needed to address this. The organizations that the questioner Boriana Åberg mentions also work across borders.

The work is being carried out on several different fronts. It is about ensuring that intelligence organizations in several different states keep each other informed. It is about both the open and the secret police having to cooperate.

It is also about ensuring that pressure is applied to the organizations where possible. It is a matter of them understanding that they are sometimes involved in activities such as gang crime and debt collection activities in order to gather money to finance their operations.

We are actively carrying out that work in Sweden. It is carried out by the police but also at the Ministry of Justice level when it comes to cooperating with counterparts within and outside the EU.

It is important and urgent that we do not miss the fact that Daish still exists as an organization and still has the same ambitions as they had previously.

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Marcus Andersson (S)

Mr. Speaker! I have a question for the Minister for Civil Defence.

The upgrading of civil defense is of utmost importance. Civil defense needs to have resilience in hybrid and gray zone issues, in war, in high alert, and also in disasters. All of this places demands on a robust and durable rescue service.

To meet these scenarios, the rescue services have a central role to protect the population, safeguard critical infrastructure, and support the Armed Forces.

Many of these issues concern continuity planning, recruitment, and prioritization. This shall take place at the same time as current assignments are being performed.

The experiences from Ukraine's rescue services are that they receive additional assignments such as the clearance of unexploded ammunition, which places further demands on training.

How does the Minister for Civil Defence intend to work to ensure the rescue services' need for and access to personnel, both full-time and part-time?

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Statsrådet Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Marcus Andersson, for a very pertinent question! I share the questioner's view of the situation.

The Government announced during the People and Defense parliamentary conference that they are now taking the first steps to reactivate the civil obligation within the municipal rescue services sector. This is to be seen in a broader total defense perspective.

The government will return to the issue of civil service within other sectors. But it should also be seen as an expression of that we see and prioritize the rescue services as one of the most urgent sectors to strengthen given the developments and the experiences from Ukraine.

The introduction of civil service in the municipal rescue services sector will allow and enable additional training of personnel for the task of rescue services in war, as well as refresher training so that personnel can maintain competence and strengthen the staffing of the rescue services in the event of high alert.

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Anna-Lena Blomkvist (SD)

Mr. Speaker! In order to increase the quality of care, the Sweden Democrats, together with the coalition parties, have decided to improve the resources of health and medical care and to work more efficiently regarding cancer care in Sweden.

In the national care program for prostate cancer, an MRI examination before tissue sampling is recommended for men with moderately elevated PSA to reduce overdiagnosis and spare healthy men unnecessary biopsies.

Today, the pilot project is being conducted in 17 of 21 regions only with PSA tests or the new Stockholm3 test. To stop deaths resulting from prostate cancer, early diagnoses are important so that treatment can be initiated in time and in that way save lives. In the same way as we do with women to find breast cancer in time, time is crucial for people with cancer. Time saves lives.

My question to the Minister for Health and Social Affairs is: Does the Minister, like the Sweden Democrats, think that it is of particular importance during the mandate period to review the possibilities of giving men the same opportunities for prostate screening in the same way as mammography is offered to all women?

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, member, for the question!

Prostate cancer is our most common cancer disease. Very many are affected. More than half are men over 70 years old and a few are under 40 years old.

It is a large group that is affected, and around 2,300 die annually. It is a serious disease. It has the complication that when the first PSA test is measured, it is not certain that it is cancer. It can also be an infection or an enlarged prostate.

It is a matter of proceeding with an MRI and biopsy and completing [the process] so that one knows whether it is worth initiating treatment. It can lead to negative effects in many different ways.

The work that is currently underway is very exciting. Yesterday, we had the European cancer conference together with the European Commission. We got to tell about the work that is ongoing, not least at Sahlgrenska with Professor Ola Bratt, with an improved method for organized testing where we achieve better results.

My hope is that every region has soon introduced it. The National Board of Health and Welfare is now working on finding national rules that will allow us to introduce screening across the entire country. Work is ongoing, and I hope that we will soon be at the point where we can do so.

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Katarina Tolgfors (M)

Mr. Speaker! Given the global situation, I am very pleased that the government is changing course in foreign policy. I am also very proud that Sweden so clearly prioritizes support for Ukraine. Recently, decisions were made regarding the largest support package to date.

My question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs is the following. Persistence is important in our efforts. Could the Minister for Foreign Affairs elaborate a little on what is in the toolbox for the efforts that Sweden intends to make regarding the reconstruction work on the day that it becomes relevant?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! We naturally condemn Russia's brutal attacks against civilians and against civil infrastructure in the strongest possible terms. It is clear that Russia is trying to create as much destruction as possible. Therefore, the need for support for the reconstruction of Ukraine is very extensive.

We support Ukraine's struggle to win the war, but equally important is Ukraine's struggle to win peace. In step with Ukrainian successes in the war against Russia's invasion, we shall create opportunities for Ukraine to create a modern, sustainable European economy and democracy. The challenges are very great - enormous - but we have already begun to contribute to Ukraine's reconstruction.

Swedish aid will, of course, continue to play an important role, but private investments will also be important for Ukraine's long-term recovery. Moving forward, the efforts will be designed in close cooperation with Ukraine, the EU's member states and institutions, other countries and states, and international financial institutions.

We also welcome the discussion within the EU about using frozen assets to support the reconstruction of Ukraine.

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Karin Sundin (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Camilla Waltersson Grönvall.

Recently, an alarm report arrived stating that it is harder than ever to recruit personal assistants. In November, Arbetsförmedlingen had 3,500 advertisements for vacant jobs compared to 2,900 just one year ago. And the situation does not improve because a large company like Humana mismanages its assignment to such an extent that they are now losing their permit. It is 2,000 assistance-eligible individuals who are affected by this.

The shortage of assistants is, of course, a major problem for those who need the assistance. It is also a major problem for those who work, who lack colleagues. It naturally also creates major problems for many relatives, who must step in. The shortage of personal assistants creates insecurity and stress, and it limits many people's freedom.

My question to the Minister is therefore: What does the Minister think needs to be done for us to address the large shortage of personal assistants?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much, the member, for a very pressing question!

I am very happy that in my ministerial portfolio I have the opportunity to work with these issues. It is important to have a dialogue with all the organizations that work with exactly assistance and with the user organizations. The functional law delegation that has been established since earlier but which I intend to develop further is an important tool. It is important to listen to those who are users and those who are assistance providers to see what really needs to be done.

It is clear that we need to improve working conditions in various ways. I am also concerned that such questions arise when discussing welfare crime, because it makes it harder to recruit. This is also an issue where the government intends to return with measures.

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Magdalena Thuresson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I would like to ask a question to Foreign Minister Tobias Billström.

Ukraine is currently experiencing the worst of nightmares. At the same time as Ukraine is defending itself, there is a desire to join the EU. I believe it is of crucial importance that Ukraine feels support and encouragement. Even though there is still a way to go, it is important that Ukraine feels that there is a future for the country in the European Union.

How will Sweden use the presidency to support and assist Ukraine on the country's journey towards EU membership?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you to Magdalena Thuresson for the question! When Ukraine, in the midst of a burning war, implements reforms to align more closely with the EU, it is also important that we note the progress and continue to support the country's rapprochement with the EU.

As chair of the EU, Sweden has the mission to hold the EU countries together. To maintain unity on the issue of Ukraine's EU accession and all other aspects concerning the consequences of Russia's war of aggression is an important task for the EU during the spring.

There is support within the EU to take a position on the next step in the formal accession process in connection with an evaluation in the autumn of 2023. But before that, the EU should already in our time appropriately provide Ukraine with guidance in the continued EU rapprochement and in the reform process.

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Mathias Tegnér (S)

Mr. Speaker! I have a question for Minister Waltersson Grönvall.

It has hardly escaped anyone's notice that the economic crisis and the energy crisis affect both children and adults. As a Member of Parliament from the Stockholm region, I noted that local TV reported on how the crisis is hitting school meals. The school meal manager in Södertälje told that they previously boiled 75 kilos of pasta for 1,000 people, and now it is 90 kilos of pasta. The children eat more food at school precisely because there is a lack of food at home, and the effect is even clearer on Fridays.

I think it is completely unacceptable that the crisis hits the children. I myself was young during the 90s crisis and know how it affected us children.

As a Social Democrat, I am pleased that we have proposed an electricity support measure plus a temporary increase in the child allowance.

My question to the Minister is of course: Why is the government not acting? And what does the Minister want to do within their area of responsibility to mitigate the effects of the crisis for the children?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much, Member, for another extremely urgent question!

As I have already said, the situation of children, not least the situation of vulnerable children, is an extremely important and prioritized issue for the government. Here we see another area where we must stop working in silos. It is a concern here in the Riksdag, it is a concern in the municipalities, and it is a concern in society as a whole.

It is very important that the social services are given other tools and have a closer cooperation with, among other things, the school. But it must also work together with other parts of society, such as health and medical care, in order to strengthen above all the children who are in the greatest vulnerability.

After having been a middle school teacher for many years, I advocate for much closer cooperation between the school and social services to help the vulnerable children that the member mentions.

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Ann-Sofie Alm (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Foreign Minister Tobias Billström.

Just today, on this radiant beautiful day, we have a visit from friends in Finland. Sanna Marin is here and is visiting, among others, our Prime Minister. Our friendship with Finland and with the Finnish people is deep. Sweden's and Finland's intertwined history goes back a long way.

That we shall not deviate from each other's side on our path toward NATO membership becomes extremely clear not only when one knows how close we stand to each other but also when one looks at a map. Then it becomes very clear why we stand so close to each other in the Baltic Sea region. If one looks out a bit further, in our immediate vicinity, one also finds our other neighbors, who are also very close and dear. We find the Nordics, and we find the Baltics.

I wonder in what way Sweden is approaching and taking initiatives for closer cooperation to make the Baltic Sea region safer and more secure.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much for the question, member!

It is exactly as the questioner says, namely that our immediate vicinity is also our security. When Sweden and Finland have become members of Nato, all states that have a coast on the Baltic Sea, except for Russia, will be Nato members. It will mean an enormous amount for changing the security situation in this part of the world for the better, both for ourselves and for our neighbors.

As Foreign Minister, I have said that the recalibration that needs to take place of Swedish foreign policy takes its starting point in that the Nordic countries, the Baltics and the EU are our three most important tools. Among them, we must not underestimate what it means that we will have a common security platform between all states around the Baltic Sea plus Norway and Iceland, which are part of the Nordic family.

It will mean much greater opportunities for cooperation in many more areas beyond security and defense policy, because once we have gotten that area in order, many other opportunities for us to cooperate will open up. And that is exactly what the government will work for during the mandate period.

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Markus Selin (S)

Mr. Speaker! At the beginning of the pandemic and the spread of covid-19, the Swedish people began to stockpile. An illustration of that was that toilet paper ran out in many of our department stores. It became a kind of bank run, but for toilet paper.

In times of anxiety and fear, we humans often do not fare well in a crisis. We lose perspective and trust and become irrational.

Sweden is a well-developed forest industry country and has a large production of toilet paper. We will probably never run out of toilet paper.

My question is directed to Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Minister for Civil Defence with responsibility for, among other things, preparedness, rationing, and psychological defence. What lessons and conclusions does the Minister draw from this example?

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Statsrådet Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much for the question. The overall lesson and conclusion is that Sweden needs to strengthen its preparedness on a wide range of levels.

Since I assumed this role, I have been extremely clear that civil preparedness begins with personal preparedness. And it is important to be clear that personal preparedness is not a hobby. It is at least as much about mental preparedness to be able to function outside of a normal situation.

Possibly the pandemic took Sweden by surprise in many parts. The conclusions and experiences from that must be translated into the practical insight that we do not know what the next crisis will look like. But we know that it will come, and in that context, personal preparedness is completely central.

Question time was hereby concluded.

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