Question Time

TREDJE VICE TALMANNEN

I would like to welcome the ministers. Questions will be answered today by Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister Acko Ankarberg Johansson, Minister Anna Tenje, and Minister Johan Forssell.

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 relates to his/her performance of duties. The question shall therefore not concern, for example, conditions within political parties. Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard answers both general political questions and questions within her own area of responsibility.

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Aida Birinxhiku (S)

Madam Speaker! Many households are in a tough economic situation. Electricity costs remain high and difficult to predict. Therefore, we Social Democrats want to take back control of the electricity market so that it stands on the side of ordinary people.

Yesterday we presented our proposal for a folkhemsel, which means that the state should be able to auction off long-term contracts on electricity to both new and old producers, who would then receive a stable income. In this way, an electricity price of approximately 40 öre per kilowatt-hour would be possible to achieve. If the government starts working with this proposal now, it could be in place before next winter.

Is the government prepared to meet us halfway and implement this proposal for lower and more stable electricity prices for households?

Question Time

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Statsrådet Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank the member for the question.

The high and unstable electricity prices hit Swedish households and companies very hard. There are several reasons why we are where we are, not least the decommissioned nuclear power. The Social Democrats have a very heavy responsibility there.

The government is now working intensively to get more electricity production in place so that we can press prices that way. More solar, more wind, and more nuclear power are needed. Furthermore, the government is working within the framework of the presidency to get the EU's new electricity market design in place, which aims to lower electricity prices and achieve more stable prices.

As I understand it, the Social Democratic proposal is inspired by the ongoing work on a new electricity market design. We are not closing the door on any proposal that can contribute to lowering electricity prices for Swedish households and companies.

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Aida Birinxhiku (S)

Madam Speaker! Thank you to the Minister for the answer!

Now the focus is on the coming winter. The government has not secured that households will get back a single krona before next winter. Now the government must act promptly so that households do not find themselves in this situation next winter.

If the government does not want to proceed with our model, what measures will the government present to regain control over the electricity market and secure lower and more stable electricity prices for households?

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Statsrådet Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Madam Speaker! The Government is working day and night to ensure that we obtain a more robust electricity supply. We also ensure that electricity prices do not affect households in a completely unreasonable way, as we now see that households are also being very heavily pressured by high prices, not least food prices, as a result of the high inflation.

I can assure the members that the government has its eyes on this and is working very hard to be able to ensure compensation when it is needed.

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Ludvig Aspling (SD)

Madam Speaker! In a noted case where a young man cold-bloodedly murdered a father at a gym, it has been observed that the perpetrator managed to obtain Swedish citizenship while he was detained for murder. The reason for this extremely offensive decision is that there is no character requirement for persons who receive citizenship through application, i.e., a simplified procedure intended for persons who have come to Sweden as young people.

An investigator has looked at an amendment to this rule, but the previous government chose not to proceed with the proposal due to "integration considerations." The Social Democrats, in other words, chose the interests of gang criminals over public safety, order and decency, and law and justice. No one can be surprised in any way.

I would therefore like to ask the Minister for Migration if the new government will change this rule.

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Statsrådet Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Ludvig Aspling, for a very pressing question!

It is exactly as Ludvig says: Most foreigners become Swedish citizens by applying for it, so-called naturalisation. In such cases, there is a requirement for an honest conduct. But there are simpler ways to become a Swedish citizen for some, after only having submitted a notification, and it is these cases that Ludvig Aspling is targeting. This primarily concerns children and young adults, and in those cases, there is no requirement for an honest conduct.

That S-led governments before us have not managed to pass legislation with such a requirement shows how helpless they have been. The severe development of violence linked to gang crime should have made them act much earlier.

The positive thing is that there is an investigation, just as Ludvig Aspling says. I look forward to moving forward with the proposals that are needed, together with the coalition partner.

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Ludvig Aspling (SD)

Madam Speaker! I thank you very much for the answer. We look forward to being able to do something about this problem.

As a supplementary question, I would also like to ask what the Minister for Migration's position is regarding the reasoning that the previous government put forward concerning integration considerations. Our position has always been that integration is rather hindered by distributing rights and benefits without imposing any requirements on, for example, law-abidingness or self-sufficiency in many cases. Does the Minister agree with me that this should be the basic view for integration?

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Statsrådet Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Madam Speaker! I share Ludvig Aspling's basic view that we must set much higher requirements. It is obvious that this legislation is dated, given how crime is creeping further down in age. We must have better control over those who are to become citizens even if they are young or under 18. Therefore, it is urgent to tighten the regulatory framework regarding citizenship even in this regard.

Unfortunately, the directives for the investigation we are talking about were quite limited, but we will proceed with what we can and then further sharpen the regulatory framework.

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Karin Rågsjö (V)

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

There is still a continuous crisis within healthcare. We hear more and more alarms from the regions that they are not managing the staffing situation due to a failing economy, which in turn can be traced back to the fact that the state grants from the government and SD are unreasonably low. There are fewer care beds instead of more.

Will the Government take measures to ease the pressure on the staff?

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Member, for a very important question!

If we do not manage the competence supply, we will not manage the health and medical care. It is necessary to work with the work environment and working conditions. This is not least about everyone who today is forced to move down to working part-time because they cannot cope with the job, because it is too heavy. It is therefore not for own, private reasons that one moves down in service, but it is too heavy at work.

It is an important task for every workplace to do what can be done to change the work environment and working conditions. Then we would quickly change the situation in healthcare.

Yesterday I visited the University Hospital in Linköping. There I met departments and operations where they have just started addressing this and realize that it is an important part of the solution.

Is the state part of the solution? Of course! We have also contributed by increasing state grants and reinforcing. But we must remember that the regions are also having a tough time depending on the inflation. As is well known, they have had substantial surpluses since previous years that can be used to smooth out the economy.

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Karin Rågsjö (V)

Madam Speaker and Minister! I am concerned about healthcare employees right now. They have been under very heavy pressure for a very long time. The staff must at some point be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. That light seems to be far away at the moment. The staff is simply overloaded.

Would it not be good to have a crisis commission for the working environment within health and medical care, just as the healthcare unions have proposed?

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, the member, for the additions!

I have had conversations with all the trade union representatives gathered in the initiative Vårda vården, a very good initiative. Together with the chair of the Healthcare Delegation at Sveriges Kommuner och Regioner, Marie Morell, we met them to discuss not what the problem is – we are in complete agreement on that – but what we should do. We received a good list of measures that need to be taken in the workplace, i.e., the regions, but also regarding what the state can contribute, which is more in the long term.

We will gather again at the end of May or the beginning of June to see how far we have come. I share the view; measures are required now.

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Christofer Bergenblock (C)

Madam Speaker! The Corona Commission could in its final report state extensive deficiencies in Swedish elderly care. This was compounded last week by a new alarm report from the Swedish National Audit Office.

One of the problems it concerns is the access to advanced medical care within home healthcare. During the pandemic, it turned out that many elderly care homes did not have access to oxygen, could not administer intravenous drips, and could not administer antibiotics intravenously. Instead of an individual assessment and the correct care, many also received palliative care because they did not want to send them by ambulance to overcrowded emergency rooms.

What will the Minister for Health and Social Affairs do to ensure that even at home or in a residential care facility, there is an opportunity to receive an individual assessment and advanced healthcare around the clock?

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Statsrådet Anna Tenje (M)

Madam Speaker! Many thanks for the question, Christofer Bergenblock! I cut it a bit. It is a common interest for me and the Minister for Health and Social Affairs, Acko Ankarberg Johansson. We cooperate very closely in precisely the issues that concern both elderly care and health and medical care, not least home healthcare and primary care.

We have been clear that we are interested in strengthening the medical competence within elderly care and primary care. The Corona Commission also pointed out that there are major deficiencies there. This was also made in Ivo's report. We will therefore initiate an investigation that will look more closely at those questions. We have recently had an investigation on municipal doctors. But we will proceed with looking at how the medical competence can be strengthened moving forward.

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Christofer Bergenblock (C)

Madam Speaker! It cannot be reasonable that it is today the building that determines access to advanced healthcare. That is how it works in practice. The reasonable thing must be that the care comes to the elderly and is at the place where the elderly are.

My supplementary question to the Minister for Health and Social Affairs, but perhaps it should be the Minister for Health, is whether any of the ministers are prepared to equate regular healthcare with home healthcare, so that the same conditions are provided to be able to perform advanced healthcare even in the individual's home.

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Madam Speaker and members! We can complement each other so well. The question truly concerns both of us, and we are equally engaged in it.

Regarding the last part, I can say that the Health and Medical Services Act makes no distinction as to where one is cared for. The entire population shall receive good care on equal terms. It says nothing about which house one should be in.

The member's question is therefore highly relevant. It is important for us, together with municipalities and regions, to shape an organization that makes it truly happen. That is why the Minister for Seniors and the undersigned are working closely together; it is a matter of working in many different ways to achieve that.

We will return and ensure that there is a change.

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Rebecka Le Moine (MP)

Madam Speaker! The government is waging a political war against nature. We can see this in the budget, where they have cut by 70 percent on what was to go towards protecting valuable nature. We have also seen a record-breaking hunt of our endangered wolves, and 200 lynxes have been hunted in the trophy hunt.

We also see that a species affected by both small populations and the climate crisis, the Arctic fox, will be hit hard by the fact that the government has halved the budget and reduced the appropriations to protect endangered animals. Hardly anyone has a problem with the Arctic fox. The Arctic fox's greatest enemy seems to be just Sweden's government.

With the revised budget, there is time and opportunity to rethink and do the right thing. My question therefore goes to Maria Malmer Stenergard. Do you intend to redirect funds to the Arctic fox?

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Statsrådet Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you for the question, Rebecka Le Moine!

The government naturally wants to carry out effective work to protect endangered animals. This also applies to the Arctic fox.

Our total environmental and climate budget is larger than the one presented when Miljöpartiet held the position of Minister for Climate and Environment.

It is complex changes in climate and environment that affect the living conditions for the Arctic fox, as well as for many other endangered animals. Therefore, it is important that the government conducts an effective environmental and climate policy to strengthen the animals' living conditions. We believe that our priorities are significantly more accurate than previous governments', where Miljöpartiet has had a decisive influence.

(Applause)

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TREDJE VICE TALMANNEN

I must point out that questions should be of an overall general political nature.

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Rebecka Le Moine (MP)

Madam Speaker! Maria Malmer Stenergards claim regarding the budget is not truthful.

I also note that great importance is attached to the word efficient. It can mean getting more out of less money. But when it comes to nature conservation and in particular species conservation, it is about ensuring that there is fodder and money to supplementary feed the Arctic foxes.

I therefore pose a simple question. Will you give back the money for the arctic fox's survival?

(Applause)

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Statsrådet Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Madam Speaker! I note that the budget for 2023, regarding expenditure area 20, i.e., climate and environment, amounts to 19.5 billion and that for 2021 it amounted to 18.2 billion.

I cannot anticipate the budget work that takes place. The Government, in particular the ministers responsible for those parts, must return with the individual budget items.

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Ann-Sofie Alm (M)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Forssell.

On February 6, a devastating earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, leading to hundreds of thousands of people losing their homes and their loved ones. Over 50,000 people lost their lives in the disaster, and the challenges of reconstruction are enormous.

It is easy to understand that people lose hope when life and security have been completely shaken to pieces. It is equally easy to understand that the needs will be enormous going forward.

From the Moderates' point of view, humanitarian aid is absolutely most important. Sweden was quickly on the scene with rescue work and rescue operations. But how will Sweden and the Minister work moving forward with continued aid for people affected by the earthquake disaster in Turkey and Syria?

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Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Ann-Sofie Alm, for an important question! It concerns a subject that, unfortunately, has become very topical in recent weeks. It is, just as Ann-Sofie Alm says, over 50,000 people who have died in the terrible earthquake.

There were several tremors. I am very happy that Sweden nevertheless so quickly – already on the same day as the first tremor – could send a considerable amount of resources to the entire earthquake-stricken area. It is large and corresponds to the area of Belgium and the Netherlands combined.

On a Swedish initiative, the EU Commission organized a large donor conference this week for both Turkey and Syria. In total, nearly 7 billion euros were raised for humanitarian work and also for the reconstruction itself. It is very substantial. We will return to this with financial resources and also work on getting trade and not least investments started in these areas.

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Ann-Sofie Alm (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Minister, for the answer! It is a lot of money, and it will require a lot from many to help those affected in Turkey and Syria. But it is also worrying that the needs in the world are increasing so rapidly, especially in the wake of the war of aggression in Ukraine.

Sweden is a small country, but we are a major donor. We are in the top three in the world, after for example the USA. How does the minister work to get more countries to want to help - and help more? I don't quite see how the equation adds up otherwise.

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Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! We are working very hard to broaden the donor base, because it is the case that more countries must be involved in doing this together. Humanitarian needs are increasing, for example. Even though we are streamlining our aid budget for this year, it may be worth pointing out that humanitarian support is actually increasing in the budget that the government has presented, and it is against that background. But more must do more. We must work more efficiently and also ensure that we bring more trade into this. We shall not only fight poverty but also build a path to prosperity.

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Hans Eklind (KD)

Madam Speaker! There is undeniably a workshop underway at Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard! Here in the Riksdag, we look forward to hammering through the reforms required to achieve a migration policy that takes into account society's capacity to integrate. A paradigm shift within Swedish migration policy is occurring, if one considers the past years.

My question, however, concerns the need for safe and legal routes. During the first two months of this year, nearly 12,000 illegal border crossings were made in the central Mediterranean. This is a doubling compared to the corresponding period last year, according to Frontex, the EU's border police.

Helping those in distress is a matter of course – but how to do it best is a much more complicated question. My questions to the Minister are: What work is being carried out within the government regarding this, with creating safe and legal routes? And what does that work look like within the EU?

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Statsrådet Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Hans Eklind, for the question! It is very large. As Hans Eklind knows, the UN has a quota refugee system where Sweden has stood out for many years by being one of the countries that receives the absolute most quota refugees. We will continue to be that, even though we have now lowered the level from 5,000 to 900.

I think that other countries should step forward and take greater responsibility, because people are dying in the Mediterranean. The entire regulatory framework must be changed so that more of those who come here do so in a safe and secure way and so that suffering is reduced. It is also a matter of reprioritizing so that those who will anyway receive notice that they are to return to their home country do not risk their lives.

It is an important work being done with the migration and asylum pact at the EU level, and during the presidency, Sweden has high ambitions to move forward.

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Hans Eklind (KD)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Minister, for the answer!

It is to counter irregular migration - human smuggling - and to protect the most vulnerable that we Christian Democrats want secure and legal routes to constitute the way in which foreigners seek asylum in Sweden in the future.

My question, however, from the perspective of the Minister sitting here now, given that Sweden has a chair role, is what the work within the EU looks like regarding humanitarian reception programs and sponsorship programs. I know that the question exists there.

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Statsrådet Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Madam Speaker! We are working very intensively with the pact now to achieve a council position in the very most difficult parts. But the pact also includes other parts, for example, concerning the regulatory framework around permanent residents and the so-called combined directive, which is a combined permit for work. There are also talent partnerships. All these parts aim to create legal pathways into Europe and can be a complement to the overall migration policy. We will probably have every reason to return to this.

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Mauricio Rojas (L)

Madam Speaker! This weekend I read a shocking book written by Liza Alexandrova-Zorina. The book's title is Imperiets barn, and it is about the post-Soviet parallel society in Sweden. It is a book about ruthless exploitation and humiliation and about atrocious living conditions that we cannot even imagine. It is part of the shadow society that has grown in Sweden - the hidden Sweden, which is now populated by tens of thousands of people.

My question to the Minister for Migration concerns the government's view on the spread of the shadow society and what measures are planned to address this concerning phenomenon.

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Statsrådet Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Mauricio Rojas, for the question! It sounds like painful but necessary reading. I am very pleased that Mauricio Rojas highlights the issue of the shadow society, because the government prioritizes working on it.

In the shadow society, people suffer incredibly badly, not least girls and children. It is important to maintain the legitimacy of the entire asylum system, and that is based on the fact that those who come here shall have permission and that those who are denied their asylum application also return. Here, the problems are very large.

I visited Denmark on Monday and met my counterpart, the Minister for Immigration. They work in a completely different way when it comes to reception. The asylum seekers have much closer contact with the authorities, thanks to organized housing – that is, no individual housing, EBO. Danish authorities have much better control over who is staying in the country. We have very much to learn from them, and the government has a lot in the works.

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Mauricio Rojas (L)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Minister, for the answer!

It is unfortunately the case that the knowledge regarding the shadow society is currently very deficient. Much more knowledge is needed to be able to effectively combat its further spread. Therefore, I would like to ask the minister if there are plans to initiate a broad mapping of the shadow society's drivers and composition.

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Statsrådet Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Madam Speaker! Yes, there is an agreement in the Tidö Agreement concerning the preparation for a large-scale census. Coordination numbers that are not confirmed in a reassuring manner shall be revoked. The purpose of the census is largely to try to get an idea of how many people are staying here illegally, but I believe we must also work in other ways. For example, the duty of information between authorities is an important tool.

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Tomas Eneroth (S)

Madam Speaker! Sweden is known throughout the world for standing up for human rights. Here in the Riksdag, there is even a special room, the Room of Good Deeds, where Harald Edelstam and many others are honored. Sweden and Swedish organizations carry out fantastic work in many countries, not least in Guatemala where we have successfully worked for human rights.

Now the government is cutting the support for the Swedish interventions in Guatemala by 60 percent, and there is much talk that there is a risk that they will be phased out. Against that background, it is interesting to ask the responsible minister Johan Forssell: What signal does the government actually send when, in cooperation with the Sverigedemokraterna, it makes the clear saving of, for example, promoting human rights in Guatemala?

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Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank Tomas Eneroth for the question. The aid to Guatemala is channeled primarily through civil society and as UN support. It has amounted to just over 200 million kronor per year. In this context, it can be pointed out that we have no direct support to Guatemala's government.

The levels for this year are unchanged in relation to the levels that applied last year after the introduction of limiters. It was limiters that were decided by the government that I recall Tomas Eneroth himself sat in. This is at the same level as that. The appropriation this year will focus on promoting not least human rights and democracy but also on providing increased transparency in the election processes, something that is needed there.

I also want to point out that there is a regional strategy for all of Latin America. Work in Guatemala will also be able to be included there.

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Carina Ståhl Herrstedt (SD)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Anna Tenje.

At the end of last year, I submitted a question to the Minister regarding Försäkringskassan's unreasonable clawbacks within the assistance allowance. I then highlighted the problem with the fact that Försäkringskassan first made a decision on the scope of the assistance allowance, only to make a new decision several years later and then demand the allowance back retroactively.

That was new information for the Minister, which I have full respect for. My question today therefore concerns whether the Minister has had time to look at this. If so, are there any thoughts on guidelines to ensure that Försäkringskassan cannot go back many years in time and reclaim compensation from persons who have done nothing other than follow Försäkringskassan's decisions?

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Statsrådet Anna Tenje (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank the member for another question on this area. Since last time, I have checked how many it affects. Approximately 450 people have been subject to this. I have also found out in a bit more detail what the circumstances have been. It is, of course, extremely complicated.

The government has worked very hard and has many proposals concerning that incorrect payments and fraud and errors should be combated in every detail, but also that previous incorrect payments should be repaid. It is a discussion that has been highlighted in the media as it has concerned other benefits that are subject to incorrect payments.

Of course, it must be done correctly and properly from the very beginning so that one never finds oneself in this situation. That is where the greatest work lies.

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Frida Tånghag (V)

Madam Speaker! I have previously submitted a written question regarding whether the responsible Minister intends to raise the unreasonably low daily allowance of 71 SEK per day that asylum seekers have been forced to live on and have done so since 1994, when I was five years old. Even then, the allowance was far below the level for social assistance. If one thinks a turn further, one may wonder how far below a bearable level it lies today - not because social assistance is particularly bearable. What level does one end up at if one also adds inflation and skyrocketing food prices?

I therefore want to ask Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard whether she intends to increase the daily allowance for asylum seekers.

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Statsrådet Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank Frida Tånghag for the question. It is, of course, a very low level, and many live under very difficult economic conditions in Sweden today. When it comes, however, to the compensation for asylum seekers, the government generally has no plans to increase it. We do, however, have plans to abolish EBO, individual housing. This means that everyone shall live in a facility housing in some form where, in addition to a roof over their heads, food is also provided. I do not believe that the level issue will become as pressing then.

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Anna Lasses (C)

Madam Speaker! The decision that has been reached almost unanimously in Uganda's parliament has hardly escaped anyone's notice. The situation for LGBTQI people in Uganda was already completely appalling and has now become even worse. There are hardly words for the fact that one risks long sentences just for identifying as an LGBTQI person and that certain acts are now punishable by death, provided that the president approves the proposal.

Minister Forssell has the privilege of being able to act on several levels. I wonder how he will use his role as Minister for Trade but also as Minister for Development Aid in precisely this issue.

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Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for the question. Just as Anna Lasses, the government is also very concerned about the lack of human rights and democracy that has existed in Uganda for a long time. The development is simply going in the wrong direction. This is yet another sign of that.

We are very concerned about the decision regarding hbtqi persons that has been made in the Ugandan parliament, provided the law also comes into force. It must, of course, receive a signature from the president to do so. It would be another step in the wrong direction.

Our aid to Uganda goes almost exclusively to civil society organizations and to international aid in that part, not least to develop the capacity of civil society. But the fact that Sweden is a major aid donor to Uganda also naturally means that there are opportunities that we shall take in our dialogue and that we shall set demands that the development is halted and that things are made right.

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Viktor Wärnick (M)

Madam Speaker! The long-awaited electricity support has been paid out to households in electricity area 3 and 4. The northern parts of my own home county, Gävleborg, look forward to receiving upcoming support payments in connection with electricity areas 1 and 2 also receiving support for last winter's electricity price peaks.

The measures are completely necessary given the irresponsible energy policy that the previous government pursued and which has placed our country in a very difficult situation. It has made us vulnerable and has led to high electricity prices for both individuals and companies.

The payments must, of course, be correct. In recent days, reports have emerged that individuals conducting business activities have received electricity support, and a discussion has naturally arisen in that regard.

Since Försäkringskassan is responsible for the payments, I would like to ask a question to Minister for Pensions and Social Insurance Anna Tenje: How is it ensured that future electricity support to companies will take place correctly, for example, given that individual entrepreneurs have already received electricity support for their business?

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Statsrådet Anna Tenje (M)

Madam Speaker! Many thanks, Viktor Wärnick, for a very pertinent question! Many wonder about just this, and there is an ongoing discussion about which businesses have received and which have not received any support.

Försäkringskassan has from the beginning been well aware that electricity support can be paid out to electricity consumers who are private individuals but who also conduct business activities on the same electricity meter. They have a consumer agreement and have had the electricity support paid out in February or March in accordance with the electricity support that we have declared we will give to private individuals and companies, but it has only reached private individuals.

What has happened now is that some entrepreneurs have received the electricity support a bit earlier than they otherwise would have and not at the same time as other companies. Försäkringskassan will now, together with Skatteverket, guarantee that a double payment does not occur when the electricity support reaches the companies, which is expected to happen shortly.

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Lili André (KD)

Madam Speaker! Sweden is a trade-dependent country that competes in a global economy, and with more exporting companies, the conditions for job creation and increased growth in Sweden are improved. Through, among other things, the regional growth work, funding is provided to regional actors who work with export- and investment-promoting initiatives with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. These actors are dependent on the government's strategy and direction for Sweden's exports and investments.

The previous government produced an export strategy in 2015. Since then, much has happened in our global environment. This calls for a developed strategy that supports the business sector's continued internationalization and global competitiveness.

My question to Minister Forssell is: Does the Minister share my analysis that the government urgently needs to update the export strategy that was developed in 2015?

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Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank Lili André for the question, which I think is very important. A very large amount of the discussions in politics today are about how resources should be distributed. Too little is discussed about how the resources should be created.

We have the privilege of living in a country that has some of the world's most prominent companies here – large as well as small, I would like to say. The latest strategy was adopted in 2015. Then it was updated in 2019. It is a trade strategy. It concerns both exports and imports and, of course, also investments. It is enough to go back just a few years to see that very much has happened in a short time, with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the discussion about the need for increasingly secure trade chains and supply chains, as well as the entire covid pandemic with its effects. The government will therefore develop a new such strategy where we conduct a thorough analysis and hopefully also point out a number of important paths forward.

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

Sanne Lennström (S)

Madam Speaker! Today we see, as has been said, a very high inflation. Many are finding it difficult to pay for their groceries and electricity bills. The group that is hit hardest by this is our country's families with children. This group is hit extra hard by the fact that the price increases occur on goods that families with children need, such as diapers and porridge. School cafeterias are simultaneously alarming that the children eat extra much on Fridays and Mondays because they know that the weekend means less food.

We Social Democrats have several proposals. We have proposed an increase in the child allowance, crisis calls, and folkel. We have also called for a special debate. But what is the government actually doing, other than saying no? It would be very good if the government had a plan for this, as many are in misery right now, not least single parents. An increased child allowance could be a way forward to help just this group, which the government itself in its budget points out as very vulnerable. Therefore, I ask Minister Tenje: Does the government intend to increase the child allowance?

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

Statsrådet Anna Tenje (M)

Madam Speaker! Many thanks for the question, Sanne Lennström! It is a very pressing issue. Families with children and other families in Sweden are being pressed very hard right now by the high food prices, the high fuel prices, and all other things that are coming together in a perfect storm.

Inflation is and remains the greatest enemy for all households. Thus, the government's primary mission is to combat inflation. In this, one cannot "slack off" in any parts. With an expansive budget, we risk instead letting households remain in a high inflation state for a long time forward, which would erode the household economy completely.

What we are doing instead now is to present an extra initiative for precisely those particularly vulnerable families with children. This perhaps the member has noted during the day. We have already had an extended supplementary amount for the housing allowance, and it is now being increased further during the coming half-year.

(Applause)

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

Daniel Lönn (SD)

Madam Speaker! On January 12 this year, Minister for Energy and Business Ebba Busch, together with LKAB, announced that they had identified Europe's largest deposit of rare earth metals in Kiruna. They are necessary for, among other things, the manufacture of electric cars and wind turbines.

A week ago, the European Commission announced its proposal for a new legal instrument to promote sustainable access to critical raw materials within the Union, namely the European Critical Raw Materials Act. The proposal aims to increase availability through the strengthening of European value chains, increased domestic mining and production, increased resource efficiency and recycling, and diversification of trade.

In light of what is being proposed, I would like to ask Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell if the government sees any opportunities here for increased Swedish export revenues. How will the government, in that case, work to make this possible?

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

Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank Daniel Lönn for the question. The answer is that the government sees good opportunities for increased exports. We have the privilege of living in a country that not only has some of the world's best companies but also has rich assets in this area. These are assets that will likely become even more important in the time we are living in now, with great geopolitical tensions and furthermore an increasing need, not least linked to the green transition.

Since there are long lead times in this, we are working from the government side both to ensure that the opportunities are good to utilize the resources available with the permits and decisions required for that, and to ensure that our companies have good access to the world market. We want an open world market with more free trade, more openness, and rule-based trade, where the winner is not the country that has the most state support behind it, but the country that can produce and export the best products at the best price. If we succeed with that, there are good opportunities that this will become really good for Sweden.

(Applause)

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

Caroline Högström (M)

Madam Speaker! I would like to direct my question to Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.

In Västmanland, the immigration of labor has historically been necessary. It was needed for a company like Asea to become the international ABB it is today. All around Västmanland, there are companies that are dependent on experts and engineers who compete in an international labor market. Many of these companies testify to long processing times and complicated rules that make it difficult to hold their own in the international competition.

My question is: What does the government intend to do to remove the obstacles that today make it difficult for companies to recruit and hold their own in the international competition?

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

Statsrådet Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank Caroline Högström for this extremely urgent issue. High-skilled and qualified labor immigration is a priority for this government. We are just as appalled as the companies are by how, on the part of the previous government, the processing times were allowed to just become longer and longer.

Therefore, one of the first measures we took was to give instructions in the regulatory letter to Migrationsverket to shorten processing times. We also gave a mandate that means they now have the opportunity to create a completely new organization for international recruitment of qualified and highly qualified labor. Work is now underway to develop the new organization at Migrationsverket, and I believe that it will make a very big difference. Accordingly, I see that we will also be able to provide better service to the companies, both in Västmanland and in the rest of Sweden. This is absolutely crucial for whether Swedish companies will be able to continue to compete for the sharpest minds.

(Applause)

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

Magnus Jacobsson (KD)

Madam Speaker! My question is directed to Acko Ankarberg Johansson.

We have 21 regions today. Even though we have staff and politicians who are very committed and work hard, we have an unequal and unjust healthcare in Sweden. As Christian Democrats, we spoke out about a nationalization, but above all about having more state control to create a more just, solidary and equal healthcare.

What is the government doing to create a fair, equal and solidary healthcare system throughout Sweden?

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

Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Madam Speaker! I thank the member for the question. During the previous parliamentary term, the Riksdag passed decisions on quite a few announcements concerning the desire for greater state control in various areas in order to achieve more equal health and medical care. It is not about someone doing something wrong in one region or another, but about the fact that a system with 21 regions is not always the most optimal. There may be other ways to do this.

Therefore, this government, together with the coalition partner, has agreed that we shall appoint a parliamentary commission of inquiry to examine whether we should move the responsibility for health and medical care from the regions to the state, in whole or in part. We are currently working on the commission's directive. We will return as soon as possible with a request for parliamentarians for the commission.

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

Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)

Madam Speaker! There have been many turns regarding the electricity support that has now been paid out to households. The Government has used Försäkringskassan to pay out this long-awaited support - which did not arrive on November 1.

Like Member Wärnick, I wonder about what has been reported this week regarding individual businesses receiving electricity support for their private consumption when they have had the same electricity subscription for their business.

We did not receive an answer on how the government views the state aid rules that exist. Order and clarity need to be established regarding that.

That is why I ask responsible Minister Anna Tenje how the government intends to resolve ambiguities regarding taxes and state aid after a number of companies operated as sole proprietorships have received electricity support for their private households.

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

Statsrådet Anna Tenje (M)

Madam Speaker! Many thanks, Member, for the opportunity to be able to continue speaking about the electricity support, which I am very happy to do.

Regarding the support to the companies, Energimarknadsinspektionen has approved Svenska kraftnät's application. We are now working on the design of the support.

A regulation with further details on the design of the support has been on consultation, and the responses were received on March 6. The compilation of these is now underway.

This is expected to be sent to the commission. Provided that the commission handles this expeditiously, we hope that Skatteverket will be able to kick off the application process as early as May 30, 2023, for the companies.

This presupposes a fairly quick handling by the EU Commission. We certainly hope that it lives up to that.

(Applause)

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

Yasmine Eriksson (SD)

Madam Speaker! I direct my question to Minister Forssell.

We are repeatedly reached by indications of corruption in Swedish-funded aid projects. In 2021, 303 cases of suspected corruption or irregularities were reported to Sida's investigation group.

Of the matters that have been examined during the current year, the suspicions could be confirmed in a majority of the cases, which has, among other things, resulted in demands for repayment of 49 million kronor.

We have now noted cases where high-ranking officials at the Swedish Embassy in Nairobi are suspected of embezzling large sums of money and leaking sensitive information. It is worth noting that during the last year alone, 460 million kronor of the Swedish aid went to Kenya specifically.

My question to the Minister is therefore how he intends to ensure that Swedish tax funds used for aid, both bilaterally and multilaterally, do not disappear in corruption.

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

Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Yasmine Eriksson, for an important question!

We want Swedish aid to be characterized by quality, efficiency, and also by transparency. The funds that the taxpayers provide - 56 billion kronor next year - should go to the right things.

As taxpayers, one should also be able to know what the money is used for. That was something the previous Alliance government worked very much on, for example through the Openaid initiative where, as an individual citizen, one can go in and see where the money goes.

I can state that in recent years Sweden's aid policy has fallen quite significantly in the Transparency Index. It is a major problem.

Just as is evident from the Tidö Agreement, we will develop a reform agenda for aid. An important part of that is precisely this. It concerns developing mechanisms, structures, and reporting requirements to ensure that aid always goes to the right things and never goes to corruption or disappears along the way into a lot of other areas.

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

Gustaf Göthberg (M)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Johan Forssell.

Alarming signals are coming from Uganda's capital, Kampala. We have also heard this discussed previously during the question period. The Ugandan parliament has tightened its laws regarding homosexuality.

It is not the first time. In 2013, the same thing was done. The then Alliance government signaled very clearly against this together with our allies in the European Union and also the American administration. It had an effect immediately.

In December, there was also news that Swedish aid money had been used for conversion therapy in Uganda. This is something that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the government reacted against quickly and clearly, and that is very positive.

My question concerns what is happening now regarding the broader development linked to human rights, girls' rights, and respect for the rule of law in Uganda. What measures does the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the government intend to take to safeguard human rights and their development in the country?

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

Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Gustaf Göthberg, for an important question!

Just as I have pointed out in my previous answer, we in the government are very concerned about the democratic regression in Uganda. It has been ongoing for a long time. It is unfortunately a development that has accelerated in the wrong direction lately, one could say.

Regarding the situation for hbtqi persons, it is a decision that has been made in parliament. It also needs to be confirmed by the president. We naturally hope that this will not happen. The fact that Sweden is a major aid donor also gives us an opportunity in our dialogue with Uganda to bring up these matters. We will, of course, do that.

I can reassure everyone by saying that they are already fully aware of our position. We have expressed it several times over a long period. I can also note that there are many other countries that are now doing the same thing.

Whether this will have an effect remains to be seen. We naturally hope so. But no one should have to hover in uncertainty about the fact that for us, the developments in Uganda in these areas are completely unacceptable.

(Applause)

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

Yasmine Bladelius (S)

Madam Speaker! Sweden is in a very difficult economic situation. The development hits hard, not least against a healthcare system that is already heavily strained.

Already now, municipalities and regions are warning that cost increases are taking up more and more space as high inflation erodes the coffers. The coming years will be very tough. This is happening in a situation where Swedish health and medical care is already facing major challenges.

In this situation, politics must be able to prioritize resources for welfare over tax cuts for high-income earners. Health and medical care must be able to retain staff. Health and medical care must be able to recruit necessary staff, and health and medical care must be able to continue to develop.

Then 6 billion in state grants is not enough. SKR is also clear that at least 20-30 billion are required just to maintain today's levels. I would therefore like to ask the Minister for Health and Social Affairs if the municipalities and regions can count on the government increasing the state grants in the upcoming spring budget.

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

Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Member, for the question!

The part I can answer for is the regions and the health and medical care. When one asks for 20-30 billion more for the municipal sector, it is for 290 municipalities and 21 regions. It is very many who are to receive a share of the money.

It was not only the general state grants to the municipal sector that we increased. We also increased the funds primarily for healthcare. The big issue now is the inflation that affects the general cost level and the pension agreement that the regions have entered into.

It was not wrong to enter into that agreement. It was absolutely excellent for securing the supply of skills moving forward. But it is a heavy burden right now when the figures are tallied. It is good that the regions have substantial surpluses from 2020, 2021, and 2022 to be able to smooth out the economic cycle. They should use them now to meet the burdens of inflation.

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

Johnny Svedin (SD)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Health and Social Affairs.

In an international comparison report published in Läkartidningen on March 15 from IHP, Swedish district doctors are the most stressed in comparison with those in other OECD countries. A full 66 percent of the Swedish doctors answered that their work is very or extremely stressful, and 35 percent also have symptoms of exhaustion.

According to the Swedish Medical Association's own environmental survey, 30 percent of doctors in primary care believe that there is not enough time to meet patients. At the same time, primary care doctors meet fewer patients on average per week compared to in other countries. The average time per patient is also lower in Sweden than in other countries.

The Sweden Democrats' vision is a strong, efficient and patient-safe care chain. To achieve this, we argue, among other things, that it is necessary to review how administrative tasks are delegated.

Does the Minister intend to work for a more efficient healthcare chain where Swedish doctors are given more time for patient-facing work to a greater extent?

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

Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Member, for the question!

If we expand primary care and strengthen good and close care, the entire health and medical care will also become more efficient in economic terms.

If one gets a chance to have a fixed contact with the care that one needs and which is close, one can build a relationship. Then it will also become more efficient in economic terms. There we have been wrong for a long time when we have allowed primary care to become small. At the same time, we have given it a gigantic assignment that it cannot manage. That is why we see so many leaving service - that includes district doctors too - and that people are leaving the profession.

We need to reverse the development. We are very pleased that the Riksdag is in agreement on the view of primary care and the expansion of good and local care.

Now we have received the target from Socialstyrelsen of approximately 1,100 patients per district doctor. It may be slightly lower or slightly higher depending on the care burden. We now want to see each region find its target for how it should be achieved.

We have a good example from Östergötland, where decisions have been made on how to reach the goal and it has been scheduled. I want to see that from more sides. Then we will succeed better with primary care.

(Applause)

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

Malin Höglund (M)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Pensions and Social Insurance, Anna Tenje.

Vasaloppsveckan has been over for a few weeks now. Skiing engages many people from north to south, both young and old. Over 52,000 people were registered for one of the races that took place.

Skiing and other physical activity keep people active year-round. Physical activity is good for the elderly, for their well-being and to prevent fall injuries.

Nutritious food and well-being during the meal are also good for health and well-being.

Many elderly people live alone. The only contact they have is perhaps with friends or family - or with the home care service.

My question to the Minister is what the government is doing for the elderly so that they feel better and to prevent loneliness.

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

Statsrådet Anna Tenje (M)

Madam Speaker! Many thanks for the question, Malin Höglund! I was a bit nervous for a while that it would land on a challenge regarding Vasaloppet, but I am pleased that it is about fall prevention, nutrition, and involuntary loneliness.

These are actually three questions that benefit one and the same area, namely a safe and secure elderly care.

As the member was in, fall prevention is extremely important. There, Socialstyrelsen has a mandate to support and help - Balance more, is the name of their project. It is extremely important to continue with that.

I would very much like to see more good examples like those at the elderly care homes I have visited, where they have pedagogical meals with the elderly and also have meal observations to create a better situation and, not least, to improve nutrition.

When it comes to involuntary loneliness, this government has made major investments in this regarding making the many activities that already exist today in the municipalities and in civil society accessible, but also ensuring that more activities are introduced.

(Applause)

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

Jytte Guteland (S)

Madam Speaker! My question is to Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Forssell and concerns Western Sahara.

Western Sahara has been occupied for decades, and in these times I think that most of us associate occupation with something terrible that should never be encouraged or in any way benefit the occupying power. Yet that is the case today. The occupation benefits Morocco, and there is a trade agreement between the EU and Morocco.

This trade agreement is not legitimate, according to the EU's own court. Already in 2017, the court ruled that negotiations were held with the wrong party. Negotiations were held with the occupying power Morocco instead of the legitimate representative for the people in Western Sahara.

This leads me to the question of how this government intends to act. Sweden has a tradition of standing up against occupation. How will the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade act?

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

Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Jytte Guteland, for the question!

On the aid side, the bilateral aid is governed by a number of strategies. Some of them expired last year. We have made a technical extension of them to have time to work through them.

We took office as a government first in October last year and have had very much on our plate. We will take it this year to try to work through the different strategies, and we will present them as soon as they are ready.

When it comes to the issue of trade, it lies partly on Sweden's table, but it is also governed by regulations within the framework of the European Union.

I can say generally that we have a positive basic view of trade as a way to reduce poverty in the world but also as a catalyst for more openness and freedom in many areas. It does not always happen, but it does not happen infrequently either.

We will return to that question as well, but the answer to the problems we see in the world is probably not less trade but rather more trade.

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

Pontus Andersson (SD)

Madam Speaker! On March 20, the JO directed criticism at Kumlaanstalten following reports from inmates that it had been very crowded during a renovation and that inmates had been forced to share small cells. The JO believes that the inmates have had to endure treatment that has appeared "nearly inhuman."

And for my part, I find it quite difficult to feel sympathy for the prisoners' situation. But if one wants to solve this problem, there is the question of renting prison places abroad in the Tidö Agreement. Placing prisoners in Lithuania, Poland, or perhaps Kosovo would reduce the pressure on Swedish institutions.

Over one-third in Swedish prisons lack Swedish citizenship, and a large majority have a foreign background.

How far has the government come in the work of leasing prison places abroad?

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Statsrådet Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you very much for the question, Pontus Andersson!

From the Tidö Agreement, the paradigm shift that must occur and shall occur regarding the fight against crime is evident. We will increase the penalties and give the police better tools. This will lead to more people being caught and thus ending up in prison, so the pressure on prisons will become increasingly harder. Accordingly, we shall look at the possibility that Pontus Andersson highlights of utilizing prison places abroad.

This is a task that I know is ongoing at the Ministry of Justice. I do not dare to answer exactly where in the process it stands, but I can absolutely ask Minister Strömmer to get back to us as soon as possible.

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Fredrik Lundh Sammeli (S)

Madam Speaker! The current gender identity legislation in our country is 50 years old and causes great suffering for very many trans people. Therefore, we have worked on the issue in S-led governments during recent years to modernize the legislation.

At the change of government, there was a nearly finished bill on the government's desk, a bill that the Kristersson government has also been clear about should be delivered to the Riksdag during the spring to begin the legislative work here.

The bill was moved forward. The bill was then withdrawn and never reached the Riksdag according to the notification we previously received.

With that, the question is raised for me and very many others: When will the government put the bill for a new, modern gender identity law on the table? The question naturally goes to the Minister for Health and Social Affairs.

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

Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Member, for the question!

No bill has been submitted. We have a referral to the Council of Legislation, and work is ongoing within the Government Offices.

Unfortunately, I have no date to give the Riksdag. The Riksdag needs to be informed of this in order to be able to plan its activities. But as you know, we have not been able to deliver within the timeframe to be able to process it during the spring.

Work is ongoing. We will get back to you as soon as we have an announcement on when the bill can be submitted and for an understanding of its content.

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

Stefan Olsson (M)

Madam Speaker! My question is directed to the Minister for Development Cooperation. Not too long ago, I saw an advertisement in my Facebook feed from the Swedish streaming service Draken Film. Interesting, I thought, that a Swedish streaming service is trying to compete with HBO and Netflix, and moreover with quality films. But it must be expensive, I thought, so I would check who is behind this. I went to Draken Film's website, and judge my surprise when it then turned out that Sida is one of the sponsors behind this streaming service. How can that be possible?

I noted that behind Draken Film stands the non-profit association Göteborg Film Festival. Apparently, this film festival has somehow managed to obtain aid money. If I understand correctly, it is to work with filmmakers in countries with limited freedom of expression, but it is not the type of films that appear on the streaming service.

Against this background, I would like to ask how the government is working to stop this leakage of aid money.

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

Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Member, for the question! I wish there were a good answer to the question of why it looks like this. It is, I would say, a result of a previous aid policy that has lacked focus. So many different things have been prioritized that one can wonder if anything at all has actually been prioritized.

The government and the coalition partner want Swedish aid policy to be characterized by quality, efficiency, and transparency - so that the problems in the world can be fought in the best way, but also so that taxpayers will always know where their money is going. Where do 56 billion kronor go every year?

We have therefore cut the information grant, which in recent years has increased from 5 million kronor to 155 million kronor. We are now cutting it down to 20 million kronor. Even though I personally love film, I am fully and firmly convinced that these funds can do significantly greater good somewhere in the world than if they go to a film festival.

(Applause)

The question period was hereby concluded.

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