Question Time

FÖRSTE VICE TALMANNEN

I would like to welcome the ministers. Questions today will be answered by Minister for Health Jakob Forssmed, Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer, Minister Erik Slottner, and Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.

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. The question shall therefore not concern, for example, conditions within political parties. Minister for Health and Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed answers both general political questions and questions within his own area of responsibility.

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Fredrik Lundh Sammeli (S)

Mr. Speaker! A few days ago, we were able to read an internal report from the Ministry of Social Affairs in Svenska Dagbladet. It points out that allowing the sale of alcohol in farm shops would likely mean the death of the Swedish alcohol monopoly.

The non-political officials have conducted a legal analysis under EU law of the proposal regarding the sale of farms. They have also concluded that it would be very difficult or impossible to roll back the farm sale reform if it were not to be compatible with EU law, and that the commission's proposal does not fulfill the directives that the alcohol monopoly shall be secured.

How does the government view the outcome of its own legal inquiry? And does Minister Forssmed agree with his officials?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the question, Fredrik Lundh Sammeli!

The government has the ambition to introduce small-scale farm sales on the condition that Systembolaget's monopoly can be secured. That is also what the Riksdag has stated to the government. That is what is being requested. Preparation of the issue is ongoing with those conditions.

I note that many referral responses with somewhat different views on this have been submitted regarding the investigation that exists. But the preparation is ongoing. We intend, of course, to return to the issue. But it is under the premises I have set out here in the Riksdag that the work is being conducted.

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Fredrik Lundh Sammeli (S)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for a clear answer, Minister!

Many of the referral bodies point to the danger and concern that the alcohol monopoly will be abolished by the back door if farm sales are introduced.

I appreciate the clarity here and nevertheless interpret it as the government sharing our position regarding the fact that the monopoly must never be compromised and that the government will therefore not present proposals on farm sales if the monopoly cannot be ensured.

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I have been in the chamber on several occasions and explained the government's view on the matter, that we see the possibilities of introducing small-scale farm sales positively. It is an ambition that the government has. But it is important that Systembolaget's monopoly can be secured.

It is under those premises that the work is conducted. We are keen to move forward in the matter in the manner and with the conditions that I have described.

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Pontus Andersson (SD)

Mr. Speaker! On April 14, a 17-year-old murderer was released during a dental visit. My view is that the release says most about what is wrong with Swedish criminal policy. The man received Swedish citizenship while he was a suspect. He was at a Sis-home and therefore had access to both a computer and a phone. And due to his low age, he will be a free man before he is 20 years old.

Thankfully, with the Tidö Agreement, we have chosen a new path for Sweden. The Government has commissioned a mandate to the Prison and Probation Service to identify necessary measures aimed at ensuring security during the transport of persons deprived of liberty. Within the framework of the Tidö Agreement, certain related issues shall be changed, such as the right to leave and the supervision of such.

Does Minister Gunnar Strömmer see any reasons, beyond what is stated in the Tidö Agreement, to review the control of persons deprived of liberty and include this in such an investigation?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for a very relevant question, Pontus Andersson!

There is surely no citizen who has not reacted extraordinarily strongly to several of the circumstances that emerge in this case. My caveat is that it is an ongoing judicial investigation and that we do not yet know exactly what has happened. But given what we know, one can still say several different things.

Regarding concrete exemptions, the Prison and Probation Service has announced that they have cancelled all planned medical transports and introduced new routines for bookings. We have also given the Prison and Probation Service a special assignment to review all security regarding prisoner transports, including the naturally burning question: whether armed escort is required in more cases.

We have also initiated an accelerated process to strongly limit access to mobile phones in Sis homes and provide expanded opportunities for body searches and room searches. There is much more to do. I will gladly return to that.

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Pontus Andersson (SD)

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

In the Tidö Agreement, the government and the Sweden Democrats agree that young murderers shall be held in special youth prisons, that escape shall be criminalized, that there shall be double sentences for gang criminals, and that the right to parole shall be restricted. I thank the minister for the answer and the clarification.

The escape has upset many. Therefore, I want to ask the minister if the government is looking at further measures to prevent that type of escape from occurring in the future.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! I would perhaps like to broaden the question to some of the things that Pontus Andersson initially took up.

Yes, there are several other systemic failures that are highlighted in a case like this. The penalties for young offenders must be increased. I mean that escapes must be criminalized. We will review the citizenship issues overall. That there is no conduct requirement for youths in such a case in connection with a citizenship application is not satisfactory. These are some systemic issues that we are tackling with full force.

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Gudrun Nordborg (V)

Mr. Speaker! I turn to the Minister of Justice with a question related to a formulation in our government bill. Under the heading Political starting points, one expresses views on criminal and justice policy issues. After a subheading about increased safety, it states the following: "This year has begun with ruthless violence at levels that have not been seen before, while the gangs' terror spreads from the large cities to smaller towns. The development is, among other things, the result of an excessively large immigration to Sweden over a long period."

For me, these are surprising formulations. I wonder if the Minister stands behind these formulations in full.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the question, Gudrun Nordborg! Yes, I stand behind that wording 100 percent. I think it is obvious to everyone that an excessively large migration and immigration combined with an excessively poorly functioning integration has had very negative effects, not least in this area.

I do not know why this should be a particularly noteworthy observation. I believe this is a reality that the vast majority of citizens agree with and can see. This naturally leads us to important conclusions regarding the long-term conditions for being able to reverse the development. It is naturally about not having a larger immigration than we can manage from an integration perspective, but also about having a very ambitious effort to break patterns that cause far too many people who want to enter our society to not do so.

Yes, I therefore stand behind this, and I believe that the plain language is very welcome for the vast majority of citizens.

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Gudrun Nordborg (V)

Mr. Speaker! That was an answer I had not hoped for. I mean that there are many more factors influencing this and that this does not lie solely on individuals, but that it is also a great social responsibility to counteract the large social gaps that have emerged and which affect both immigrants and "native" Swedes.

I want to hope that this does not lead to what I think it is an expression of, namely xenophobia and, actually, cultural racism.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! No, there is not a trace of either xenophobia or racism in this, I think, very self-evident observations. No society can handle a very large immigration if one does not simultaneously have a well-functioning integration. That it leads to social problems of various kinds - ranging from exclusion when it comes to the labor market to difficulties in entering the housing market, dropouts in school and crime - is a reality known in all human societies. It is all about seeing it and doing something about it.

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Niels Paarup-Petersen (C)

Mr. Speaker! Chat control runs counter to the fundamental right to a private life and against the principle of confidentiality in communications. That is how the Ministry of Justice summarizes the reason why Germany and other countries are opposed to chat control.

They are right. Surveillance of all digital conversations has never happened before, but now they want to do this because it is digital. It is the greatest infringement on the right to private communication that has occurred in Sweden's history. Even many Moderates are now starting to wake up when it comes to this. The Moderates in the European Parliament will vote no to chat control. That is good, but in the government, it is the Moderates and Gunnar Strömmer who likely want to say yes to this. That is what they have said so far, at least.

The objective must be able to be achieved in better and more efficient ways, as Gunnar Strömer's party colleagues in the European Parliament say. Honest people must be able to feel secure that their right to privacy and personal integrity is protected.

My question is quite simple: Why does the Swedish government, with Gunnar Strömmer at the helm, want to allow legislation that contradicts the citizens' fundamental rights?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for this excellent and topical question. The Government's position is very simple.

The first thing is that we welcome an initiative from the EU Commission to counter the actions of pedophiles on the internet and to find powerful law enforcement tools to push back the very grave crime that this entails and the violations and abuses that it entails against individuals.

The second thing is that we see that it is a balance between effective crime fighting and personal privacy, and that the balance is by no means simple.

The third is obvious. It is a very extensive bill that is technically complicated regarding the technology that one intends to use. It is also very complex in terms of legislative technique.

This is the subject of negotiations, which we are leading, among the EU member states. Then, furthermore, it shall be negotiated with the European Parliament. It is therefore far too early to say where it will land. It will show itself, but we are not there today.

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Niels Paarup-Petersen (C)

Mr. Speaker! We are in complete agreement that the purpose of this is fantastic. However, the tool really is not, as it is an extreme overreach regarding the democratic rights we have according to the Instrument of Government, European rights, etcetera. If it is the Center Party, the Sweden Democrats, the Left Party, and the Green Party in agreement. But the Moderates and the government follow the Social Democrats' path in this regard.

In other issues in the EU, the government has been extremely clear. For example, requirements have been set when it comes to migration, but they have not been made in this matter, which concerns our democratic rights. One cannot hide behind a veil of neutrality. It is time to say no to chat control. Why can the government not do this?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! For the simple reason that there is no finalized proposal to say yes or no to. That is the simple answer. We are leading these negotiations. I have pointed out the very legitimate conflict of interest that exists. On one hand, it is about the need for more effective tools to push back against abuses and violations against children online, and on the other hand, it is about the very justified objections raised regarding how far-reaching these tools should be in relation to personal privacy.

I promise that when we have a fully negotiated result, we will say whether we say yes or no to it.

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Malte Roos (MP)

Mr. Speaker! Earlier this spring, the Swedish National Audit Office released two audits of the Swedish Police Authority, one regarding the Swedish Police Authority's work with special events aimed at serious crime and one regarding the police's handling of large-scale crime.

In its audits, the Swedish National Audit Office directs extensive criticism towards the Police Authority, among other things, for not using its resources effectively, not conducting follow-ups on its operations, not systematically documenting its activities, and not learning from or accepting criticism. The Police Authority does not have a learning culture.

We all want an efficient and well-functioning police authority. My question to the Minister for Justice is therefore: How does the government intend to act to address the stated deficiencies within the Police Authority?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Many thanks, Malte Roos, for that question! First, one must nevertheless state that this is a description of a result after eight years of a government where Miljöpartiet has had an extraordinarily large influence.

There is no doubt that in a number of different areas, including regarding how the police and other law enforcement agencies function, there is a very great need for reform. The reviews that Malte Roos highlights, and also several others, point out that there is an extraordinarily great need for that type of reform.

Fundamentally, it is about clear leadership and management and, as I understand it, a well-thought-out strategy to realize important parts of the police reform that have not reached all the way through. This concerns, in particular, the focus on growth out in the capillaries. I am thinking of the investigative work, police officers out in the streets, police officers who can sit and listen when secret coercive measures are used, etc.

I will return to our strategy for achieving that change of course.

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Malte Roos (MP)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Minister of Justice, for the answer! We may not share the view that there would be problems with the previous government's strategic leadership, but that is not what the question is about.

We see that it is positive that more resources are allocated to the police. That is something we have also campaigned for. But that does not solve the problem that the resources the police have today, according to the Swedish National Audit Office, are not being used effectively. You indicate that some proposals will be coming, but do you have any strategic decisions here and now that you intend to launch?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! While awaiting our overall and long-term strategic approach, one can look at a number of decisions we have already made. For example, we have given a specific mandate to increase the operational power of the police by streamlining operations at the National Forensic Centre, to ensure that resources are pushed out to the investigative activities that unfortunately largely lack senior competence, and to reduce bureaucracy and administration around the National Operations Department. These are a number of things we can do in terms of the regulatory letter, but I ask to return to the structural approach.

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Louise Meijer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Last year, the father of three children, Fredrik Andersson, was murdered at Delta Gym here in Stockholm. A 16-year-old was convicted of the murder and received closed juvenile care for two years and eleven months. After the murder, the 16-year-old went to Armenia, and during the time he was there, he became a Swedish citizen solely through a notification from his guardian. This happened, therefore, at the same time as he was suspected of murder and other serious crime here in Sweden.

A few days ago, the now 17-year-old boy was driven from the Sis home where he had been staying to go to the dentist. At that point, he was released by masked men.

What has happened clearly shows the problems in Swedish immigration policy and in Swedish justice policy. I know that the Moderate-led government is doing a lot and working hard to change this policy, but let me ask the Minister for Justice: What is the government doing to prevent escapes from Sis homes and institutions?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Louise Meijer for shedding light on this extraordinarily important issue. I believe that very many citizens - the vast majority - who have taken part in this reporting agree with the description that Louise Meijer has now expressed.

Regarding the escapes, actions must be taken both in the long and short term. It is a matter of immediately obtaining information on what measures the authorities themselves are now taking - I mentioned some of them earlier. We have also given a broader mandate regarding precisely the security in connection with transports in the correctional services. The correctional services shall carry out this review, which includes the question of whether armed escort is required in more cases than today, and do so in cooperation with the police, the Swedish Migration Agency, and the State Board of Institutions.

When it comes to the Sis-homes, it is obvious that access to mobile phones and tablets must be tightened to a minimum. Other security measures, such as the possibility of searching rooms and individuals present there, must be expanded. We are now forcing all of this through at a very high pace.

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Louise Meijer (M)

Mr. Speaker! One can obtain Swedish citizenship through an application while being convicted of a crime, suspected of murder, and furthermore suspected of an explosion. After that, one can receive a sentence of only two years and eleven months of closed juvenile care for having taken an innocent person's life. After that, one can plan an escape and release from one's juvenile home because one is allowed to use a mobile phone. It sounds like a farce.

I would like to thank the Minister for Justice and the government for a good job in changing this policy.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! I appreciate farces of various kinds, but there is no reason to appreciate just this farce at all.

In addition to the concrete measures that are now being taken regarding security at both Sis-hem and other institutions under the Kriminalvården's jurisdiction, other things must be done. We must significantly increase the penalties, also for young people who commit serious crimes. We must criminalize escapes. Of course, our citizenship should be open and possible to acquire for people who come to Sweden and are well-behaved, but the requirement of good behavior must also apply to youths in connection with citizenship applications. These are some measures—which I believe most citizens would call self-evident—that this government is taking.

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Christian Carlsson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! One thing that worries many of us is that so many children and young people in Sweden are suffering and that Sweden is so poorly equipped to help these children feel better. During the Social Democrats' time in power, the queues to child and adolescent psychiatry tripled. Not even half of the children and young people who turned to BUP last year received a first visit in time. It can take several years before one receives the care they need.

We cannot have it this way. My question to Social Minister Jakob Forssmed is: What measures is the government taking to shorten the queues to child and adolescent psychiatry?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Member Christian Carlsson for a very important and pressing question.

One of the first decisions I made as the new Minister for Social Affairs was to significantly increase the support to improve accessibility to child and adolescent psychiatry - from 380 to 530 million. This shall, however, come with requirements for improvements. The regions need to offer more first visits, more in-depth examinations, and more treatments in a timely manner. They need to get better. They need to organize themselves in such a way that the staff meet the children who have needs faster and to a greater extent.

This is incredibly important to address the issues that the member describes so well and to meet all the children - often with desperate parents and relatives - who need this support and who in many cases can also receive good help when the opportunity is finally granted.

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Christian Carlsson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! It is good that the government is acting so that we can ensure that more children and young people receive the care they need when they are unwell. The best thing, however, would naturally be if fewer children and young people were unwell from the start. My follow-up question is therefore what measures the government is taking to prevent mental ill-health among children and young people.

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! This is incredibly urgent. We will not be able to treat away all the mental distress that exists or all the stress, worry and anxiety that many experience.

Terrifying figures were recently released showing that more and more young people feel that their lives are not meaningful. This is truly something to take seriously. We need to ensure that there are opportunities and communities with more present adults. We need to ensure that there is access to physical activity, which we know is linked to mental ill-health. We need to make a long series of interventions and have a conversation about these issues broadly in society.

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Martin Melin (L)

Mr. Speaker! I have a question for the Minister for Justice.

The previous government had the goal that there should be 10,000 more police employees by the end of 2024. That is quite soon. The current government has, of course, joined on this with 10,000 more police employees. The goal of this is that there should be 26,200 police officers in Sweden. If we go out on the street today and ask the 22,000 police officers who work if they think this goal will be able to be achieved, probably all of them will say no.

My question to the Minister of Justice is: How shall we re-evaluate the police profession and make it more attractive?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Martin Melin, for an incredibly important and pressing question!

The first thing the new government did regarding these issues was to task the Swedish Police Authority with calculating and proposing what is required - not only so that the goal that Martin Melin referred to can be achieved, but also so that we can reach the EU average of approximately 300 police officers per 100,000 citizens from a starting point where we have just over 200 police officers per 100,000 citizens.

The government received this report last week. It contains both an analysis and a long series of proposals on how this is to be achieved at some point around 2030.

What is it that is being discussed in this underlying document? It is everything from an expanded police education – of course – to increased attractiveness in the profession. It also talks about different variants of paid police education and about tools that make it truly possible for a police officer to achieve results at work. It is necessary with this entire breadth of measures to create the necessary attractiveness.

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Martin Melin (L)

Mr. Speaker! The Minister for Justice mentioned paid training. I know that this is something that would be relevant for many today, especially for those people who might be a bit older and have a family, a mortgage on a home and so on, and who cannot afford to train to become police officers. A paid training would make it more attractive for them to apply for the training.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! That is quite true. We also know that the police are competing with other potential employers who have different variants of paid training - this applies to the customs, the Coast Guard and not least the Armed Forces.

There are different ways to achieve this. One can imagine a direct payment. One can also imagine different variants of debt forgiveness, i.e., forgiveness of student debts. We are analyzing all of this now.

I also want to return to the fact that I believe an incredibly decisive thing for restoring the attractiveness of the police profession is to ensure that the police have the right tools at work to perform their tasks. In that regard, we are well on our way.

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Ingela Nylund Watz (S)

Mr. Speaker! It is well known that the situation is tough for many municipalities and regions, as well as for the households and companies in our country. The general state grants that the government has provided are far from sufficient. We are now seeing the effects in the form of layoff notices in schools and deficits in healthcare.

After the government's breach of promise and clumsy handling of the electricity subsidies, it is nevertheless intended that the municipalities, together with the companies, shall receive electricity subsidies as compensation for the increased costs. The fact is that the electricity subsidy promised for the municipalities also involves a cap of maximum 20 million kronor, which means that the promised 50 öre per kilowatt-hour in, for example, the Stockholm region, actually becomes 3 öre.

My question goes to Minister Slottner. Is it reasonable to treat the municipal sector in this way in the current tough economic situation, or is this yet another example of an inept accident in the line of duty?

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Member Nylund Watz for the question. However, the question does not belong on the Civil Minister's desk; it is the Energy Minister who is responsible for the electricity support issue. I must actually refer to the responsible minister in this specific case.

The government takes the economy and reality of the municipal sector seriously. In the budget presented for 2023, one-third of the reform space the state had went to the municipal sector, partly in general government grants and partly in targeted government grants. This was precisely to secure the quality in the core of the welfare, such as healthcare, education and elderly care.

We have just presented a government bill, where we write that we are carefully following the economic development in both municipalities and regions, and we will return with how we view the needs for further increases of the state grants in the bill that is to be presented in the Riksdag this autumn.

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FÖRSTE VICE TALMANNEN

Interjections from the gallery are not permitted, and I ask that we restore order. Disturbance of the chamber's proceedings must not occur.

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Runar Filper (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.

Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine has highlighted the need to protect our cultural heritage from destruction in the event of war. Sweden's preparedness for cultural heritage is lagging. The protection of cultural heritage in the event of crisis or war is regulated in several different laws, for example in the Cultural Environment Act and further in the Archives Act.

The Museum Act also states that museums shall actively manage their collections, and the Museum Act also aims to protect museums' collections.

Several state museums do not have bomb- and fire-proof warehouses that are suitable in the event of a crisis or conflict. Thus, invaluable collections risk being left without protection.

What is the government doing to guarantee that cultural heritage is protected? Will you review which sites are best suited for building new warehouses for the protection of cultural heritage in the event of crisis or conflict?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for a very important question.

This situation has become relevant and has become a reality that we find ourselves in even in Sweden. We have moved from peacetime to a time where it is restless around us, both in our country and in our surrounding world, and we must naturally adjust to that - so also in relation to the cultural heritage we have to preserve.

The government has recently commissioned an investigation into the possibility of establishing a national cultural heritage council. The idea behind the council is that it should be able to better coordinate the actions that authorities need to take and look at how we, within the sector that exists in municipalities and regions, can better protect our national cultural heritage. This naturally concerns both the physical site and, to a large extent, digitalization.

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Karin Rågsjö (V)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Forssmed.

Today we can see long queues to child and adolescent psychiatry, but it also requires that other doors are opened, for example child welfare centers, school, primary care, youth clinics and so on.

With the minimal increase in state subsidies that the government has included in its budget and in the spring budget, I wonder how the children are to receive increased help. I cannot make it add up. How are the new openings for children who are faring poorly going to reduce the queues? My impression is that the budget you have presented will result in children faring even worse.

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the commitment to this incredibly important issue.

As I have explained previously, the government has significantly increased support for child and adolescent psychiatry, specifically with the aim of increasing accessibility. The government has the ambition that school health care should be more physically present in schools in order to be able to offer better support. Naturally, primary care is to be expanded.

Minister Slottner has reported that the government invested substantial resources in municipalities and regions in this year's budget and that the government naturally follows the developments closely in order to be able to return in the autumn on how we see ahead.

But there is no doubt that the government protects healthcare, care, and welfare, and we have ambitions, not least regarding mental health issues that affect many children and young people today.

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Christofer Bergenblock (C)

Mr. Speaker! This Tuesday, this government would have been in power for six months, but one has still not managed to produce a bill to allow farm sales of alcoholic beverages. The issue has been thoroughly investigated, and it has been established that there is no danger to public health or to the state monopoly. Yet, one has still not made any progress.

On Tuesday, the Social Affairs Committee rejected a proposal from the Social Democrats to request a preliminary opinion from the EU Commission on the issue, which we considered to be completely unnecessary. The Riksdag has thus said no to this, but we still do not know where the government stands when they are standing and stamping on the issue.

Does the Minister for Social Affairs intend to request a preliminary opinion from the European Commission in order to further delay the introduction of farm sales? When can we expect a government bill to be on the floor of the Riksdag?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Christofer Bergenblock for the question.

I am well aware of the commitment to the issue. I know that there are many who wish for farm sales to be established. It is an ambition I share. It would be good if we could have small-scale farm sales on the condition that Systembolaget's monopoly can be secured. The issue is complex, and we are working on it seriously to get predictable and long-term sustainable legislation in place. I believe everyone will benefit from that.

There are more issues for which the government has not yet submitted bills after six months in power. Legislative work takes some time, and I think it can do so if it is urgent to find a solution that respects the Riksdag's will - in this case, small-scale farm sales on the condition that Systembolaget's monopoly can be secured.

I have worked with the issue for a long time, and I know it is complex - but the government's ambition is clear.

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Ulrika Westerlund (MP)

Mr. Speaker! My question also goes to Social Minister Jakob Forssmed.

The Public Health Agency writes in its report Health consequences of climate change in Sweden that the greatest risks to health with a changed climate in Sweden until 2050 are heatwaves and tick-borne infections: "With high probability, climate change also leads to changes in pollen allergies, more floods, poorer drinking water quality as well as more water- and foodborne infections. Regarding serious health consequences, mosquito-borne infections and forest fires follow."

Will Social Minister Jakob Forssmed take any concrete measures to protect our health against climate-related risks?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question. I personally intend to try to limit the pollen content in the air as much as possible, not least during the spring.

The questioner has many important points. Climate change is real. It will bring and is already bringing consequences for our planet in various ways.

The government's ambition is, of course, to contribute actively - which we have also done this spring, during Sweden's presidency - to getting important parts in place to limit climate emissions and work with adaptation to the new situation.

Regarding the specific health issues being asked about here, we follow the developments very closely. It concerns different types of diseases that can have altered spread in the world in different ways, and it is important for us to be on our toes and be able to take the measures required against tick-borne and mosquito-borne diseases and in other ways. I can assure the members that we are conducting such work in both the short and long term.

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Oskar Svärd (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer and concerns the correctional services.

For me, who was born and raised in Kumla in Örebro län, Kumlaanstalten is something that has followed me through the years and has always been nearby. About 600 people work here, which makes the institution an important employer in my home municipality and in the county.

In line with the paradigm shift we are currently seeing in crime policy, more prison places will be needed, but also more staff.

Mr. Speaker! I would like to start by inviting Gunnar Strömmer to Kumla and a visit to the institution. But I also want to ask the Minister for Justice in what way the government will act to ensure the supply of competence and improve the situation for the correctional services' staff.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Oskar Svärd, first and foremost for the invitation to Kumla! One is happy to go there, not just for a prison visit, but I am happy to join you to Kumla Prison.

There is no doubt whatsoever that Swedish correctional services are already under great pressure. Several have pointed to a report from the trade union Seko, which describes major concerns and challenges regarding competence supply but also the working environment and the security situation for the employees in the correctional services.

One can say that this government undeniably inherits a great deal of baggage that we will now do everything we can to set right.

We have asked the Prison and Probation Service to provide a basis, which was done just the other day, both regarding the growth conditions now that a large expansion is occurring or will need to occur and regarding the requirements concerning the supply of competence and the conditions for it.

This will be one of the most pressing tasks for both the government and the Riksdag during the coming years.

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Yusuf Aydin (KD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Slottner.

The Swedish taxes are among the highest in the world. At the same time, there is an ignorance about how much we pay in tax.

A more transparent tax system would enable knowledge of this, and a logical starting point would be for everyone to be made aware of the total labor cost. A first step could be to make visible how much the employer pays in taxes on the salary that an employee has. Today, the preliminary tax that the employer pays on behalf of the employee is reported, but it is rarely apparent how much constitutes employer contributions.

My question is how the government views the possibility of taking the initiative so that agencies and other state entities begin to report employer contributions on the payslips for their employees.

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Member Aydin, for the question! I think it is an interesting question.

It would be welcome if more employers could be more transparent with the taxes and actually report the total tax paid on the salary. The employer contribution is a tax on the salary but indirect in its character. If we knew the size and scope of it, that would be very welcome. All government parties have also, at various times throughout history, expressed this type of proposal.

Work has been initiated at the Ministry of Finance to look into the question of whether it is possible for employees in the state to receive this notification. We have nothing concrete to present so far, but I truly hope to be able to return to the matter. I believe it would be very welcome.

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Ewa Pihl Krabbe (S)

Mr. Speaker! Reading in Sweden continues to decrease. The proportion who read books every week has decreased since 2008 and stood a few years ago at 34 percent in the population over 16 years.

Adults' reading habits are reflected in the reading of young people. Over half of the Swedish 15-year-olds answer that they only read if they have to, and 20 percent of the 15-year-olds do not reach the base level in reading comprehension.

The Swedish Arts Council's assessment is that knowledge of reading promotion initiatives needs to be strengthened for certain groups of children and young people, including children in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, children and young people with multilingual backgrounds, and children with disabilities.

Staffing school libraries with trained personnel, as the Investigation on strengthened school libraries and teaching materials proposes, is considered by the Arts Council to be of great benefit to stimulate children's interest in reading, tailored to each child's circumstances.

It appears from the Tidö Agreement that a Swedish cultural canon shall be developed. My question to the Minister for Culture is in what way a cultural canon could compensate for and strengthen the interest in reading for children who struggle with reading.

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Ewa Pihl Krabbe, for an incredibly important question! I am glad that you are highlighting the question of reading and the importance of the desire to read continuing to live among the younger generations.

Regarding the issue of staffed school libraries, it lies with my colleague Lotta Edholm and at that department, so it does not lie with me.

However, I would like to take this opportunity to say that both I and Minister Edholm see the need for literacy-promoting measures. That was also why, a few weeks ago, we broadly invited various actors in Sweden who can be involved and who today are participating and contributing to literacy-promoting measures.

I believe that one needs to look at what has actually worked historically. I believe that one also needs to look at what we need to do moving forward. There are different ideas about that.

I believe that regarding the idea of a canon, it absolutely could be a tool to increase the desire to read among many.

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Martin Westmont (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Erik Slottner.

In the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority's consumer protection report from 2023, we can read that many financial advisors are fundamentally salespeople who receive commission on the advice they sell. In other words, a conflict of interest arises where it is not always what is best for the consumer that is put first. In some cases, it can be that the financial advisor recommends the service for which he or she receives the highest commission.

My question to the Minister is how he views this and if there are any proposals to improve the conditions for consumers in Sweden who are in need of financial advice.

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Martin Westmont, for the question!

There is nothing concrete on my desk now. Then, this is a point of contact with the Minister for Financial Markets. I am, at this moment, a bit unsure as to exactly who owns this issue. But we are awaiting what is currently in progress regarding the issue.

Something closely related is the investigation into over-indebtedness, which Westmont is well aware of. It is to be released sometime in May or June. We will review it with great interest to see if there are proposals in it that we can take further to counter over-indebtedness, and the credit institutions naturally enter into that picture. I hope that in that investigation there will be some measures on how we can achieve a regulation of the credit institutions that can lead to a reduction in the risks of over-indebtedness. We will see if there are proposals on this part or if it is something that the government needs to take initiative on later.

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Martina Johansson (C)

Mr. Speaker! I turn to Minister Gunnar Strömmer regarding a question within family law that is very important, and I perceive that such questions are being debated a lot today.

There is a proposal that the Moderaterna voted down yesterday, and it concerns that a parent who kills the other parent should automatically lose custody of the joint children. It should be a self-evident matter, I believe. But it is obviously not for the minister's party Moderaterna, who yesterday, as mentioned, could have voted for such a proposal.

The Minister has the opportunity to present a corresponding proposal, so the question is whether the Moderates can consider reviewing this—that a parent who kills the other parent should automatically lose custody of the joint children.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Martina Johansson for another pressing question in the intersection between family law and criminal law.

There is no doubt whatsoever that this is one of the most pressing, and also most difficult, issues that lie before us to handle jointly between the government and the Riksdag during the coming years. There are also several current cases that have put these issues in the spotlight. There are investigation reports that we have out for consultation which, among other things, concern this type of issue. We are awaiting them to see what further measures and steps we should take.

One could say that today's legislation already starts from the premise that it should be practically impossible for a parent who murders or commits very grave violence against another parent to retain custody of the children, but it is quite true that there is a margin for individual assessment in the concrete case. The question now is whether this should be changed, and I promise that we will return to these questions in cooperation between the government and the Riksdag.

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Amanda Lind (MP)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.

In the autumn, the government halved the state support to the culture school, and when the autumn budget was presented on Monday, it was clear that there will be no new money for culture. Thus, the halved support to the culture school remains.

The culture school has always had a central role for children and young people in our society, and in tough times, it has perhaps an even more important role. Now we unfortunately see that children's and young people's opportunities for cultural practice are being jeopardized. According to a new report from the Culture School Council, seven out of ten municipalities will reduce the number of student places as a result of the reduced state support, which leads to nearly 60,000 places in the culture school being jeopardized.

My question to the Minister for Culture is how the government intends to compensate the children and young people who are dependent on the Kulturskolan's activities and the children and young people whom Kulturskolan will now no longer be able to reach. What does the government plan to do for those children?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Amanda Lind for an important question.

Yes, these are undeniably tough times now. These are tough times for Sweden, and these are tough times for individual families. These are tough times for municipalities and regions - and these are also tough times for the state, which must prioritize in its budget. This is the second-highest cultural budget in nominal terms that has been presented, despite the economic situation we have. We have returned to a level of 100 million kronor for the cultural schools after they had a doubled budget during the pandemic years.

These are naturally serious signals, and we will follow them. But what we must remember is that the state contribution is the luxury that is to enable new investments within the municipal cultural school – for the cultural school is, after all, municipal. Collectively, the municipalities today spend approximately 2.8 billion kronor on their cultural schools. That is fantastic, and we shall, of course, support it in the ways we can. But we must also dare to make priorities when times look as they do.

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Emma Ahlström Köster (M)

Mr. Speaker! A cultural council, for those of you who are not familiar with the term, can be described as a cultural diplomat. The tasks involve conveying Swedish culture in the world and arranging exchanges between Swedish international cultural creators and more.

It is the Ministry of Culture that is ultimately responsible for the cultural counselors - where they are located and what they are to do. Against that background, I wonder why the positions as cultural counselors are being left vacant in precisely Beijing and Moscow.

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for an incredibly important question, Emma!

When we entered the Ministry of Culture and took up government positions, it was important for us to look at the opportunities the cultural councils have to carry out activities where they are stationed. For that reason, a review was initiated which was completed just recently, at the beginning of April. In the review, it is very clear that at these two specific locations – Moscow and Beijing – there is currently no possibility to conduct adequate activities. For that reason, we have chosen to leave the position in Beijing vacant, and we will also not replace the cultural council in Moscow when that appointment expires.

This is not due to the cultural councils not having done a good job. They have done as good a job as they could given the circumstances, but the prerequisites are not in place - due to global circumstances that we simply must contend with.

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Annette Rydell (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to Parisa Liljestrand, and it will be a slight repetition.

In the Culture Council's compilation of the cultural schools' use of the state development grant, it appears that the cultural schools, with the help of this grant, have reached over 81,000 children and young people. Of these, 58,000 are assessed to be young people who had not previously been enrolled in the cultural school's activities.

The government's halving of the development grant to the culture school from 200 to 100 million kronor has major consequences for young people's opportunities for cultural practice, according to a new report from the Culture School Council. The report shows that the number of student classes will decrease in seven out of ten municipalities.

My question to Parisa is: What does the Minister intend to do to broaden the cultural school activities so that they reach more children and young people, against the background of the government's halving of the cultural school grant from 200 to 100 million kronor?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! It does not matter to me that the question is repeated, as it gives me the chance to elaborate on the text a bit. Thank you, then, for the question - again - Annette Rydell!

Just as I said earlier, we must be able to prioritize in economically tough times. The member describes it as that we have halved the development grant compared to previous years, but in my eyes, it is a return to the situation as it was before the pandemic. During the pandemic, the grant was increased to double, and now we have returned to the same level as before the pandemic.

We must not forget that the culture school is, above all, a municipal institution and establishment. The municipalities finance the culture schools for the vast majority. That being said, the government is making other investments, in addition to the state grant that still goes to the culture school. This includes, among other things, the investigation of the leisure card, which will apply to both leisure and cultural activities and be available for children and young people to use.

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Angelica Lundberg (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Violence in close relationships, both physical as well as psychological and economic violence, is a major problem in our society. Many are affected.

According to the Marriage Code, a separation of marriage shall be preceded by at least six months of reflection time if divorce is requested by only one of the spouses or if one of the spouses permanently lives together with their own child under 16 years of age. This can be problematic in cases where violence, threats, harassment, or similar crimes against a person occur within the marriage. In these cases, it should be possible to divorce immediately. The legislation shall not be an obstacle for those who wish to leave a violent relationship.

The Sweden Democrats have therefore proposed that an investigation should be conducted on how more cases can be exempted from the reflection period. I would therefore like to ask the Minister for Justice whether the Minister for Justice will work to ensure that such an investigation is commissioned to improve the situation for those who are subjected to violence in a close relationship.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Angelica Lundberg for a very interesting question, which is not entirely uncomplicated.

I can begin with the background to the reflection periods. They are, of course, an expression of the fact that the consequences of a divorce – in various respects, not least for children if there are joint children – are such that there should be some room for reflection before a divorce takes effect. I think it is easy to see the background to this. I also think, for my part, that it is easy to understand the aspects that the member brings up, namely that the reflection period in some situations in practice becomes a kind of locking into a relationship that can be violent or destructive in other ways.

I am not prepared to promise anything here and now regarding the investigation, but I can promise a continued discussion on a very interesting and important issue.

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Johan Hultberg (M)

Mr. Speaker! It has already been said but is worth repeating: From 2014, with the Social Democrats in government, the queues to child and adolescent psychiatry tripled. These are obviously alarming figures and a serious problem for the children who are forced to wait - a problem that I believe goes straight to the heart of every parent, who can easily understand the frustration and helplessness one must feel if one's child is suffering and does not quickly receive help and support.

Therefore, the government's work to shorten the queues to BUP is, as said, important, and I want to follow up on the question of what can be done to prevent ill health, promote mental health, and relieve BUP.

Specifically, I ask the Minister for Social Affairs: How is the work progressing with introducing school social teams and a student health guarantee, and how is the initiative on the leisure card progressing, which can be an important measure to promote physical activity, which we know is so important for mental well-being?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

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

It is extremely important that we increase accessibility to child and adolescent psychiatry here and now. We are also working on the supply of competence so that we can get more people who can work with these issues within the framework of child and adolescent psychiatry.

Regarding the leisure card, we had a kick-off meeting this week with five authorities and civil society to jump-start this work so that we can have the card in place next year. Then, more children can gain access to long-term and regular communities with present adults, where someone stands in the door and welcomes you and says: You are important to our activities. We see you. We want you to be here with us.

Giving more children and young people the opportunity to be guided, encouraged and nurtured by present adults and to move around or participate in other leisure activities is extremely important, not least in these times when many experience that their own private finances are under pressure.

The Speaker also mentions important matters regarding the school area, and I know that my colleagues at the Ministry of Education are working very actively on these issues.

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Lawen Redar (S)

Mr. Speaker! Today, the National Audit Office presents an audit report on state grant funding to civil society. Grant funding in Sweden is extensive and aims to promote a rich civil society that strengthens and vitalizes democracy, sports, outdoor life, and community engagement.

The provision of grants to civil society is based on a tradition of trust. But now, anti-democratic activities seem to be increasing in our country, and therefore the controls need to be strengthened. The National Audit Office recommends that the government develop the governance through clearer mandates to the authorities. But to address incorrect payments and grants that go to anti-democratic activities, we need to get legislation in place.

This is what the previous Social Democratic-led government worked on for almost four years, and I was involved in this work. Had we had the opportunity to continue governing, the legislation would have been in place from January this year.

My question to the Minister responsible for these matters is: When will we have legislation in place concerning precisely the democratic conditions for granting grants to civil society?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

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

I welcome the National Audit Office's report. It is an excellent contribution to the important discussion and increased governance we need in this area. The National Audit Office is also clear that civil society organizations should not have to be affected by increased administration so that we can manage to increase the controls.

Trust is important. But it is also important for trust in the granting of grants that there are functioning control and follow-up systems, and I note that the Swedish National Audit Office submits several concrete proposals, several of which we are already working on.

When it comes to the democracy condition, it is very important to establish better conditions, and we are actively working on that. We, of course, take with us the work that has been done on the issue previously by Lawen Redar with party comrades during the previous government. We have noted that there has been some criticism and uncertainty regarding how this should be applied.

We hope to be able to work with this so that it becomes an effective tool to counter contributions to extremism, which must not occur, and so that the civil society organizations that uphold Swedish democracy feel secure in their work.

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Jonas Andersson (SD)

Mr. Speaker! I have a question for Minister for Social Affairs Forssmed.

To ensure that not a single tax krona ends up in the pockets of Islamists, Sweden needs more tools to gain control over state grants to civil society.

The proposition on new democratic conditions was recalled by the government in the autumn. A number of months have passed since then, and it is important that the work on the new proposal progresses so that the proposition can be promptly placed on the Riksdag's table.

Earlier this year, a prominent thesis by the researcher Sameh Egyptson was approved regarding the establishment of the Islamist network Muslim Brotherhood in Sweden. It is important research so that we can put a stop to the Islamists' activities in our country.

New, stricter democratic conditions will be an important part of putting a stop to the Islamist contributions, but I believe it is important that more measures than that are reviewed.

In addition to the new democratic conditions, what does the government want to do to put a stop to contributions ending up in the pockets of Islamists and other extremists?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Member Jonas Andersson for the question.

We are working very intensively on the legislation regarding democratic conditions. It is important that we get it in place so that it becomes a functioning regulatory framework that can also contribute to curbing over-exploitation and that grants do not end up in the wrong hands and with those who want to undermine democracy instead of, as the purpose of the grants is, to strengthen democracy and offer good activities all around the country that create the warmth in society that we so well need.

I note that the National Audit Office today also points out some other things that we are processing within the framework of the Government Offices. This concerns, for example, support functions for agencies so that they can become better in their work to curb the type of deviations that Jonas Andersson describes.

Different authorities have progressed to different extents here, and I therefore envision that the Government Offices shall help those authorities that have not progressed as far in their work to curb this to improve.

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Gunilla Svantorp (S)

Mr. Speaker! I have a question for Minister Erik Slottner.

Wherever I go today and almost regardless of the age of those I meet, the question of artificial intelligence, AI, is big. There is a curiosity about what AI is capable of, but I also encounter a concern that it is going too fast and whether we are about to create something that humans cannot control.

In the national direction on AI, we say that we shall take advantage of the opportunities that exist with AI, and it is very important that we do so.

But what does the Minister think about the risks that exist with AI?

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Gunilla Svantorp for an interesting and topical question.

Artificial intelligence has received enormous attention just in the last few weeks, and there has recently been a rapid development all around the world.

Good work is underway within the EU to achieve common regulation within the European Union. Different AI systems shall be classified with different safety risks. Some AI implementations will essentially be prohibited, some completely free, and some partially regulated. It is about creating sustainable AI and an ethical application of AI.

We will return to this issue many times. But my focus is that we shall take advantage of all the opportunities that artificial intelligence gives us and that we must step up in the public administration but also manage all the ethical risks that, after all, exist along the way.

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Anna-Lena Blomkvist (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Opioid addiction is a serious medical condition with high mortality and suffering, as well as a severe functional impairment. Psychosocial treatment methods do not work satisfactorily, and 75 percent of patients relapse into heroin abuse within a year.

An alternative treatment for opioid addiction is medication-assisted treatment, so-called LARO, which is a treatment for people who have had a long-term and severe addiction to heroin or other opioids.

A follow-up previously conducted by the National Board of Health and Welfare shows that the accessibility to LARO varies in the country. Both resources and interventions differ between the regions. Among other things, differences were noted in how investigations are conducted and in the content of the care provided.

My question to the Minister for Social Affairs is: How does the government view an increased use of LARO treatments in Sweden?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Anna-Lena Blomkvist, for the question! I think it would be good if it were used more.

We want a restrictive drug policy in Sweden to prevent, among other things, that new young people and others start using drugs, but it is also incredibly important to reduce drug-related mortality. In that case, it is important that the type of treatment that the member describes reaches more people in different ways and that we facilitate this.

I also want to highlight naloxone, where I envision that we can do more. We are currently conducting very active work at the department to ensure that more people can get access to it and that it is also available among more professional groups so that overdoses can be reversed. In many cases, it can function somewhat like a defibrillator for those affected.

I believe there is much to be done when it comes to reducing mortality and serious illnesses resulting from drugs. I would like to see more of the type of treatments that the member highlights, especially in terms of making them more accessible.

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Laila Naraghi (S)

Mr. Speaker! Children should not be forced into meetings where there is a risk of violence. It is not in the child's best interest.

Regarding the boy in Luleå who was murdered by his father during a visit and the demand for a "lex Tintin," the Minister for Social Services recently told Aftonbladet that the government will present a strong paradigm shift in these issues at the end of the year. Over the weekend, the Minister for Social Services said the same thing to DN regarding the reporting on the father who was allowed to keep custody of three girls after he murdered their mother.

Since these issues essentially lie with the Minister for Justice, I would like to ask him about the strong paradigm shift in matters of violence, cohabitation, and custody. Can he tell us more about what the government intends to present? It is a long way to the end of the year. Is it possible to move forward this strong paradigm shift? For the best interests of the child, legislative changes need to be made as soon as possible.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Laila Naraghi for raising this issue, or several issues on the same theme, here in the chamber.

Regarding the first part of the question, which concerns socializing, we have inherited the previous government's investigation on safer homes, which is currently out for consultation. It contains proposals that go quite far in the direction that I perceive the member is requesting, but if I may anticipate the consultation views, I can say that I believe many will think that it does not go far enough. This is something we will now need to handle and consider whether we should be satisfied with the level of ambition that exists or if we should go further.

The second part of the question is fundamentally criminal law. It has a connection to the question of whether one should be able to murder one's partner and still retain custody of the children. I believe that the vast majority would answer no to that question. Today's regulation is based on that being the case, but then one can say that there is a safety valve in an individual case. The question is whether it should be removed. I promise a cooperation between the government and the Riksdag even on that question.

Question time was hereby concluded.

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