Question Time

FÖRSTE VICE TALMANNEN

I would like to welcome the ministers. Questions will be answered today by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, Minister Camilla Waltersson Grönvall, 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. Foreign Minister Tobias Billström answers both general political questions and questions within his own area of responsibility.

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Alexandra Völker (S)

Mr. Speaker! "The one who believes that one should force citizens to report each other to the authorities inevitably creates a society built on suspicion." So the Foreign Minister expressed himself in May 2018. Informing, Tobias Billström argued, was something that the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, East Germany, and Franco's Spain engaged in.

How does the Minister for Foreign Affairs assess how the image of Sweden is affected if we introduce the disclosure law that the government has now moved forward with? The Minister for Foreign Affairs himself has expressed that the law brings to mind Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and Franco's Spain.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! The statement that Alexandra Völker refers to concerned a proposal that was up for debate and which was about individual citizens having a responsibility. What we are talking about now is that public authorities shall have this responsibility, and that is something completely different.

The government has tasked an investigator with the assignment to tighten the requirements for handling these issues. I want to emphasize that we need to know how to handle the issue of persons who stay illegally in our country, for it is not an easy question. It will always be about difficult considerations, and it will always be about issues that we need to handle.

The previous government chose to bury its head in the sand. The Tidö parties, on the other hand, have agreed to tackle the problems and develop a number of proposals to combat the shadow society that Alexandra Völkers question, after all, is about. One such proposal concerns an obligation for authorities to provide information when they come into contact with persons staying in Sweden without permission.

(Applause)

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Alexandra Völker (S)

Mr. Speaker! It concerns teachers, nurses and other staff who are covered by the legislation. Based on the statements that the Foreign Minister himself has made previously, I therefore ask again: How does the Foreign Minister assess how this would affect the image of Sweden?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! All parties in the Riksdag say they stand behind the principle of regulated immigration. I have great respect for the fact that the proposal has stirred up emotions. It is a genuinely difficult question.

In order for the regulation to be legally secure and not lead to unreasonable effects for individuals, it may, however, in certain situations involve exempting people from the duty of disclosure. These can be situations where the duty of disclosure would conflict with sensitive values, for example within healthcare. But the investigator may assess which situations it may be a question of.

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Runar Filper (SD)

Mr. Speaker and Minister for Culture! During the summer, a number of problems linked to the buildings of the state cultural institutions have been reported. Nationalmuseum has announced that it is considering moving its operations from Blasieholmen due to the high rent level, and recently, the Swedish Museum of Natural History was also forced to close its operations due to the risk of collapse in the building. Furthermore, questions regarding renovation work for the Royal Swedish Opera have been on the agenda for 20 years.

These problems are not new and can primarily be attributed to a significant backlog in property maintenance that the previous Social Democratic government left behind.

Against this background, I would like to ask the Minister for Culture the following question: What additional measures does the government intend to take to ensure that the state cultural institutions can also continue their activities in their current buildings in the future?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Member, for the question! This is an issue that the government is painfully aware of and which we also began working on as early as the first week on the job.

Just as the member describes, there are five cultural properties where the property itself, as well as the activities therein, are a cultural heritage for us to preserve. There, we have national stages and some of our most valuable objects, both historically and today.

This is, of course, something that the government is working on. I am, for example, the fifth Minister for Culture to have the issue of the Opera and its renovation on my desk. This issue is important to me and I am quite sure that it is important for the government. We prioritize addressing the property problems that exist and finding unique solutions, because they are, after all, five unique houses. There will not be a one size fits all, but one must start somewhere.

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Runar Filper (SD)

Mr. Speaker! I have a follow-up question for the Minister for Culture. The Government has announced that the Swedish Museum of Natural History will be granted a rent deferral, which is an important measure given the museum's strained finances. But I wonder: Can the Minister for Culture answer approximately when the museum can reopen its operations?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is naturally deplorable that Naturhistoriska is forced to close in this manner. I will, however, be clear that this issue does not fall under my responsibility, but it is State Secretary Wykman who handles the National Property Board, where these matters are organized. However, State Secretary Wykman and I have a very good dialogue, and we are both keen to ensure as soon as possible that Naturhistoriska can reopen its operations. That is our absolute goal.

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Håkan Svenneling (V)

Mr. Speaker! On Saturday, it will be one year since Jina Mahsa Amini was brutally murdered by the Iranian regime's morality police. Her crime, according to the morality police, was to have worn the veil incorrectly so that too much of her hair was visible.

The murder of Jina Mahsa Amini was the starting point for nationwide protests in Iran for women's rights, for human rights, and for democracy. The regime's response has been brutal. Thousands have been murdered, many have been imprisoned, and executions of peaceful demonstrators have commenced.

At the same time, the courage of the Iranian women is visible. In the streets and squares, women now walk without veils, and the country's morality police and conservative ideals are heavily demoralized. The Iranian regime has lost the people's trust.

At the same time, the regime remains in power. The EU has presented ten sanction packages, the latest one this week. At the same time, the EU has still not decided to designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, and I therefore wonder: What is the Foreign Minister doing to support the Iranian women's, yes, the entire people's, struggle for freedom?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question. It is extremely important that we consistently stand up for the women and the girls who are fighting for their rights in Iran. The government has provided full support for this ever since we took office last year, and we will continue to do so. We did so in our role as chair of the EU with new sanction packages aimed at the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, against individuals, and against entities. We will continue in this spirit.

I also want to emphasize in this context that the government's view has consistently been that Sweden should work for a line as powerful as possible against the Iranian regime's oppression within the framework of EU unity. To achieve this objective, we intend to use the tools that have the best conditions to achieve the intended effect. We exclude no future measures, including those that have also been stated several times in reports from the Riksdag.

Regarding the question of the revolution guard, is it also the government's view that we should work for unity on this issue within the EU?

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Håkan Svenneling (V)

Mr. Speaker! It has been a year since the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini, and we have still not shown sufficient solidarity with the Iranian people.

I think it is time that the Foreign Minister takes note of the Riksdag's unanimous declaration to designate the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, join forces with many of his colleagues in many European countries who want the same thing, and together put the issue on the agenda for the meeting of the foreign ministers and ensure that a decision is reached to designate the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. It would truly be to show the Iranian women real solidarity.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! As I said, the government shall, in accordance with the Riksdag's report, work to create unity within the EU to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, IRGC, as a terrorist organization under the sanctions regime for terrorism. At the moment, however, the legal conditions for the EU to be able to list IRGC under the EU's terrorism sanctions are not met. There is also a lack of broad support within the EU for this. And according to the legal act, unity is required, which I believe Håkan Svenneling is aware of.

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Martina Johansson (C)

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

Alarm report after alarm report continues to come regarding the State Institution Board, even after the government has now had its mandate for nearly a year. That many suicide attempts, abuses, and separations are still occurring is frightening, and from the outside, it does not look like this is decreasing.

At the same time, the minister said in Ekot's Saturday interview that more children and young people need to be taken into care. It is also stated in the Tidö Agreement that the number of placements shall increase and that prosecutors shall have the right to do just this.

Therefore, I ask: With the quality deficiencies we have, should the focus not instead lie on reducing the number of placements and on ensuring that those who investigate have the right competence and make the correct early interventions for the children and young people who need it, instead of focusing on more people being placed and on prosecutors being able to do just that?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

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

It is naturally the case that all children in Sweden have the right to a bright and fine future. In that case, it is extremely important that they are given the right conditions. That is why this government prioritizes children's rights and is now presenting a comprehensive battery of measures to provide precisely preventive interventions.

But the situation out in our country is very serious right now. Such young children as ten-year-olds are being recruited directly into criminal networks. It is impossible for society to look away when all preventive measures are not yet in place.

The Prime Minister usually says that it will get worse before it gets better. But in this transition situation, the government's long-term attitude is, of course, that there should be fewer detentions. In the situation we find ourselves in now, it may, however, temporarily be the case that we need to see more detentions.

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Martina Johansson (C)

Mr. Speaker! It is appalling when very young children end up in criminal situations. But then we must also ensure that the right interventions are provided from the very beginning to these children and families, both now and in the future. Then we need to ensure that there is competence and quality.

The government has said that they want to strengthen what concerns the crime prevention work in the social work education. That is good, but not enough.

My wonder is therefore whether the Minister is prepared to review the entire social worker education so that we get good quality and so that we know that the care and support provided by society is better than that which occurs in the original family in these cases.

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! Reviewing the social worker education is an important part. When I meet social secretaries, they highlight time and again that they lack parts of the competence needed to meet this new society.

Additionally, we are allocating extensive resources to strengthen, among other things, the competence at Sis. 140 million kronor is being allocated to a major competence boost to also ensure that children and young people who are in the care of society also receive the support and help they need.

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Jacob Risberg (MP)

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

In Sweden, we have a long tradition of consensus in foreign policy. Human rights and international law are governing in our actions and in our positions. We follow the various UN resolutions to a very large extent because we know that they form the basis for international agreements and, ultimately, peace.

Jerusalem's status has long been disputed. In 1947, the UN member states agreed that Jerusalem should be a divided internationally administered city. But the annexation in 1980 led to the international community choosing to move its embassies primarily to Tel Aviv. Jerusalem's future status, where both Palestine and Israel claim the city as their capital, shall be decided in just peace negotiations. This has been Sweden's official policy for a long time.

But this summer, the Christian Democrats' parliamentary group made a high-profile trip to Israel and stated that they wished to move the Swedish embassy to Jerusalem.

My question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs is therefore: Has Sweden's position on the issue of Jerusalem shifted?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! No, the Swedish government's line is as it has always been – and I am not just talking about this government, I am also talking about the previous government's line – namely that Jerusalem's status in accordance with the EU's collective policy on this area will be a matter for a final peace agreement, that is to say that when a peace agreement is concluded between Israel and Palestine that is final, the question of Jerusalem's status will also be decided. Within the framework of this question, questions linked to the presence of missions in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem will also, of course, be decided. The government's policy is fixed on this area. It has not changed, and it will not be changed either.

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Jacob Risberg (MP)

Mr. Speaker! East of Jerusalem, in the occupied areas, Palestinians and Israelis live under completely different conditions regarding freedom of movement and other matters. If a Palestinian and an Israeli young person throw stones at each other, they are judged by completely different courts, and they live under completely different laws.

According to the Rome Statute, apartheid is defined as inhumane acts committed in connection with an institutionalized order of systematic oppression and dominance of one racial group over one or more other racial groups.

The question is whether the way in which Israel maintains order in the occupied territories can be considered apartheid.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Sweden and the EU view with great concern the increased violence that has resulted in rising death tolls on both sides, not least among minors. We stand up for Israel's legitimate security needs. But lethal violence may be used only when it is absolutely necessary in line with international law. We condemn the terrorist attacks that have occurred as well as the recurring and indiscriminate rocket fire from terrorist organizations in Gaza.

We make the assessment that both sides should de-escalate and that it is important with mutual dialogue and that one avoids actions that conflict with international law.

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Emma Ahlström Köster (M)

Mr. Speaker! In the government statement, the Prime Minister chose to highlight that Sweden's position as a leading research nation shall continue to be safeguarded and that the government will appoint an AI commission which will be tasked with providing guidance to both seize the opportunities and manage the risks within the field.

Artificial intelligence, AI, also creates a lot of positive opportunities in areas such as culture.

At the same time, the rapid development raises a number of questions and also concern. The concern within the cultural field can, for example, be about the possibility of copyright and work – will it remain in the future? It is not so strange that one feels this way because generative AI, for example, can be used to create music entirely from scratch.

My question is therefore addressed to the Minister for Culture and reads as follows: What is the Minister for Culture doing in light of the questions raised regarding AI within culture?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is undeniably a very exciting future we are heading towards - both exciting and worrying. AI implies enormous opportunities, but it also comes with a number of consequences that will need to be handled in different ways. That is the case, and when it comes to the cultural sector, the consequences will actually be far-reaching in virtually all the areas that we manage within the Ministry of Culture.

That is why we within the Ministry of Culture have appointed an internal working group that will work on AI issues. The idea is that this shall initially be a forum for us to increase knowledge and understanding of how AI will affect us and what we, from a political standpoint, need to do or not do. We therefore look forward to continuing the work; the working group has just started its work, and I look forward to returning with what emerges from there.

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Emma Ahlström Köster (M)

Mr. Speaker! That sounds reassuring. The cultural and creative industries are, however, still enormously important for Sweden – both within Sweden's walls and, of course, for our exports. In a global economy where many nations are currently adopting AI as a tool to refine and develop their methods, I wonder: What is the Minister for Culture doing to ensure that AI's impact has a positive effect on the creative industries also within Sweden, so that we can continue to be a world-leading nation in music and, for example, video games?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! We are currently working on developing a new national strategy for cultural and creative industries. It is of course so that the question and discussion of AI will need to both be raised and handled – and perhaps to some extent answered – in it. We will also need to look at the question of copyright, which perhaps is one of the biggest issues linked to AI within the cultural and creative industries. I therefore look forward to us developing the strategy and that it will be able to provide guidance.

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Joar Forssell (L)

Mr. Speaker! I have a question for Foreign Minister Tobias Billström.

The previous S-led governments often faced criticism, and in very strong terms, for their unbalanced pro-Palestinian policy - their anti-Israel policy. The voters gave this government and the bourgeois majority that exists in the Riksdag a clear mandate to change the policy in several areas, including the policy concerning precisely the only democracy in its part of the world, namely Israel.

My question is what concrete measures the government is taking to ensure that we have strong relations with Israel and break with the very unbalanced pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli policy that has previously been pursued by Social Democratic governments.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Sweden has for a long time had a well-developed relationship with Israel in many areas, not least when it comes to research and development, but when it comes to politics in general, as Joar Forssell says, it has been highs and lows through the years. Our view from the government's side is that we should have a good relationship with Israel. I have personally had the opportunity to receive Israel's Foreign Minister, who this spring made the first visit in many years. My impression is that our conditions for cooperation have improved.

We will always be a critical friend to Israel. As I said in my answer to Jacob Risberg just now: When it comes to the conflict ongoing between Israel and Palestine, we make the assessment that both parties should naturally de-escalate, refrain from deadly violence and furthermore work for reconciliation and cooperation in order to be able to reach a situation where peace can be established in the area. But as I said, we have good relations with Israel in many areas, and we also intend to expand these.

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Joar Forssell (L)

Mr. Speaker! I have personally been to Israel and participated in demonstrations against the criticized legislative proposals, which we have also been able to follow here in Sweden. I share the view that one should be able to be a critical friend, but what concrete measures are being taken? It could involve arms sales, cooperation in the security area, the relocation of the embassy, or a choking off of the remaining aid to Palestine. In what concrete ways will we see a paradigm shift in the foreign policy regarding the Middle East's only democracy, Israel, and the previous pro-Palestinian policy?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! The Government is, as I said, keen to have a good cooperation with Israel in areas where we have common interests, for example when it comes to trade and innovation. Sweden and Israel are also united in the efforts to combat antisemitism, and we have a very close cooperation within the framework of Sweden's chairmanship in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

As I said: When it comes to the concrete measures that Joar Forssell requests, I believe they lie in areas such as research and development. I believe that is a good starting point for more cooperation between our states.

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Marcus Wennerström (S)

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

Social services employees are an invaluable professional group in our society. They are a group that helps vulnerable children and vulnerable – sometimes violence-affected – men and women. They are the ultimate safety net in municipal clothing.

At the same time, the professional group is characterized by high staff turnover. Reports show that social services staff have to endure threats, hate, and in the worst cases, violence. The online campaign against social services exacerbates an already difficult situation. It also worsens the conditions for trust-building and the volunteerism that is so incredibly important for a successful result.

Given this incredibly tough reality, I wonder how the Minister views how a legal requirement for reporting will affect the already difficult working situation for social service workers, who will then have to choose between what is morally right and what the law already requires. In what way will it benefit the vulnerable?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for an important question that embraces a professional group that all too rarely receives the credit it deserves for all the important work it does. Just as the member describes, the social secretaries are the hub of the preventive work and the interventions we make directed towards society's most vulnerable groups.

In the investigation that has recently been presented, the investigator has been tasked to consider, among other things, the conventions that Sweden has committed to. It is clear there that this will be a difficult balancing act when it comes to certain professional groups. That being said, I cannot precede the investigation that is now to return with proposals, but fundamentally, it is that the exclusion and the shadow society we see ultimately affects our children the most. So, we cannot have that.

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Angelica Lundberg (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Over-indebtedness in Swedish society remains a major problem. The investigation into over-indebtedness, which was belatedly commissioned by the previous government, has now submitted its proposals. Many of them are good, and they are proposals that the Sverigedemokraterna have been advocating for some time. But the proposal for a new debt register is unfortunately a watered-down proposal that does not take into account the system that already exists but instead focuses on a completely new model – which is also not comprehensive. The model would take a long time to introduce, and it would not have the desired effect.

I therefore want to ask Minister Slottner if he intends to proceed with the submitted proposal for debt registers or if he can imagine working together to develop a better proposal that can be implemented more quickly and truly make a difference in the work of reducing over-indebtedness.

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! The question is raised too early as the investigation has just submitted its proposal. The investigation submitted its proposal at the beginning of the summer, or rather, at the beginning of July.

The proposal is now being prepared at the Ministry of Finance, and it will be sent out for consultation. Then we will compile the consultation responses and see what the different consultation bodies have answered regarding, among other things, the proposal on debt registers. It may be one of the more high-profile proposals, but there are many other interesting proposals in the investigation. They are expected to contribute to reducing the over-indebtedness we see and also reduce the number of cases that go to both debt collection and the Enforcement Authority, which has increased explosively for several years in a row.

Here and now, I do not intend to say either yes or no regarding a new national debt register. I can, however, state that there has been strong support for a debt register and that many make the assessment that it would be a good tool to reduce lending to the most indebted and economically vulnerable households. Let us return with a final decision on the matter.

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Lorena Delgado Varas (V)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to Minister Billström.

The association agreement with Chile has been heavily criticized, especially regarding insufficient environmental commitments and that the process has been extremely undemocratic. Europe wants the lithium in Chile, which requires enormous amounts of water. What has Sweden done to protect the water sources in areas that are already dried out because European companies have bought up water rights? And how do you ensure transparency and democratic processes not only in Europe but also in Chile?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Sweden is very engaged in international water issues. This is an issue that is particularly relevant now as we are about to begin the UN High-Level Week in New York next week, in which I myself will participate.

This question has many layers. When it comes to Chile, I will willingly admit that I am not familiar with the specific details that Lorena Delgado Varas raises, and I need to get back to her on those. What I can say, however, is that we are constantly viewing with great concern situations where one cannot preserve the rights that should exist in order to have access to clean water.

These problems need to be solved in cooperation between the countries where there are local companies working with these issues and the states where the rights are not yet at the level that we have in Sweden - we have a much stronger protection for water than what exists in many other parts of the world.

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Kerstin Lundgren (C)

Mr. Speaker! The Minister for Foreign Affairs, I and many others here would have wished that Sweden had been a member of Nato a good while before February 24, 2022. But now that is not the case, and unfortunately, it seems that questions continue to arise.

After the G20 meeting four days ago, the Turkish president made new statements regarding the expected ratification process in the Turkish parliament. He noted not only that it can take time in the Turkish parliament – just as in other parliaments, for example Congress – but also that there are expectations for actions from the Swedish side. Have new demands been put forward from Turkey's side toward Sweden? Is there a risk that the delay regarding the public order act will affect the process?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is pleasing that Turkey, during the Vilnius Summit, committed to ratifying Sweden's membership application as soon as possible and to complete Sweden's accession process without delay. It is of great importance for the security of both Sweden and Nato.

At the meeting between the Prime Minister and President Erdogan on July 10, where Secretary General Stoltenberg also participated, Turkey undertook to ratify Sweden's application as soon as possible. It was later stated that this shall take place when the Turkish parliament opens in October. We expect that Turkey will stand by what has been promised.

We have, of course, followed the Turkish reactions, including reactions linked to the Quran burnings, but we have no reason to believe that these will stand in the way of Sweden's membership application. We have also explained in bilateral contacts how Sweden's constitutions work and expressed understanding for the reactions that have occurred.

Sweden has fulfilled all commitments in the trilateral agreement. Hungary has also stated that they will not be the last to ratify Sweden, so we assume that they will start when Turkey starts.

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Elin Söderberg (MP)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to Tobias Billström.

A robust ecosystem and a stable climate are prerequisites for peace, freedom, economic development, and welfare. Today, six of the nine planetary boundaries are being exceeded. This spring, the IPCC reported that we are on track towards a world three degrees warmer, which implies enormous geopolitical and security policy risks.

Despite this, the Prime Minister mentioned neither the nature crisis nor the climate crisis in the beginning of his government statement, where he spoke about the major societal challenges we face. My question is: Does the Foreign Minister face the enormous risks for what the Foreign Minister has to work with when it comes to the climate crisis and the nature crisis at government meetings?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! I am very proud of the powerful climate initiatives that this government is putting forward. We are presenting one of the largest budgets ever in the field of climate and environment. Our measures do not only reduce emissions on behalf of the state but also create the conditions for other sectors of society to be able to reduce their emissions. This means that Sweden is doing its part so that the targets set at a global level, including in Agenda 2030, can be achieved.

I believe we have every reason to stand tall. We are a country that stands for much of the innovation that leads to green transition. We cooperate with other countries to make it possible to introduce and transfer the technology that makes it possible for the globe to move from emissions and dirt to a better and cleaner world for everyone. I believe we have reason to talk more about what we do and not just talk about what is bad.

(Applause)

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Peter Ollén (M)

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

We know how important diversity in the media is. At the same time, a new media subsidy is to be in place on January 1, and many media companies are asking themselves whether it will be ready. Can the Minister for Culture tell us how the planning of this work is progressing?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! That is how it is – we are working at a high pace on the new media support. The intention is for it to be in place on January 1, 2024. So far, we are keeping to the schedule, exactly as intended, and the government's absolute ambition is that this support shall be in place then.

There are several processes running in parallel. We submitted the bill to the Riksdag before the summer. There is a notification process within the EU that is also to be linked into this. The authority is also working on preparing regulations based on the ordinance that is to be developed.

It is, therefore, many things that have to mesh with one another, but I feel confident. I believe that this will go well, provided that we succeed in following the schedule - just as we are doing right now.

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Gunilla Svantorp (S)

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

The Transport Committee has just returned from a trip to Estonia with a focus on digitalization. In Estonia, they are very far ahead. They have a clear focus on the citizens, and the goal is to provide a seamless service based on events in the citizens' lives. It should also be easy to use the digital services.

Focus has been placed on digital divides. One solution to bridge them has been a national electronic ID card. In Estonia, 99 percent of public services are digital.

In Sweden, we have a high innovation index and many innovative companies, but we have not succeeded in integrating the digital into our public services. My question to the Minister is: Does the Minister want to work towards an increase in digital public services, and if so, how?

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you very much for the question. I believe we can agree across all party lines that this is an important issue where we have much left to do. Sweden as a country, however, has very good conditions because the population is digitized. It is a population that is digitally included and has a great deal of digital proficiency. Here, Sweden is far ahead of many other countries, which creates good conditions.

We are currently investigating the issue in order to develop a government electronic ID card so that we can identify ourselves at the highest level of trust. It is a very important issue. I have not yet had the chance to visit Estonia. I have been to the Estonian embassy here in Stockholm and spoken about digitalization, and I also intend to visit Estonia.

Estonia is far ahead, among other things, when it comes to the digitalization of public administration and in the interaction with citizens. There, Estonia can truly provide inspiration. I intend to take a lot of inspiration from there during this parliamentary term and also achieve success in our country.

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Martin Westmont (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question also goes to Minister for Civil Affairs Erik Slottner.

A new toy regulation with new, more comprehensive rules that protect children from potentially dangerous toys is currently being drafted within the European Union. The intention is that potentially dangerous toys should be stopped at the EU's external border.

For imports that occur outside the EU directly to Sweden, there is a national responsibility to ensure that toys containing, for example, harmful chemicals do not reach the Swedish market.

My question to the Minister for Civil Affairs is how he will work to reduce the amount of potentially dangerous toys that are imported directly to Sweden from countries outside the EU.

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! If we get a common product regulation regarding dangerous chemicals in toys within the EU, it applies to the entire internal market and also in Sweden. Then there will be no import of dangerous toys to Sweden, just like to the rest of the EU.

I think it is very good that the toy directive is now being updated. What we have is 14 years old. 25 percent of all reports regarding product safety concern toys.

Toys can create a lot of joy for children but can obviously be a health hazard and even a life-threatening danger for children. It is important that we protect children from dangerous toys and in this case specifically towards chemicals.

I welcome the directive. If we can now push it through within the EU, the regulation will apply in Sweden for Swedish children and families with children.

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Malin Björk (C)

Mr. Speaker! I would like to direct my question to Minister for Civil Affairs Erik Slottner. It concerns some of the country's municipalities, more specifically those located in the lower Dalälven area. After a very rainy summer, these municipalities are heavily affected by mosquitoes, and there is a risk of an almost unbearable mosquito invasion during the autumn.

The problem in this area is that there are extreme amounts of biting mosquitoes in the form of a specific flood mosquito. The past summer with large amounts of rain has been extremely favorable for the mosquitoes.

To combat the mosquitoes, the biological agent Vectobac G is used. But it is finished, and no more will be used even though it would be needed. Here, the state needs to act to ensure that it becomes a bearable existence for the people who live here.

I therefore wonder which contacts the minister has had with the affected municipalities regarding their situation and what measures the minister intends to take to help the municipalities.

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I think we politicians should be honest when we are asked direct questions. I have not had contact regarding this specific issue with the municipalities. I have had contact with many municipal representatives on many other issues, but regarding mosquitoes, we have actually never spoken about it.

I must nevertheless say that the member had a great deal of knowledge on this issue that I can perhaps learn from. The County Administrative Boards in some indicated counties and affected municipalities have funds set aside for just mosquito control, and those funds remain.

I have also been alerted by a party colleague that there are now even more aggressive mosquitoes that people seem to have been affected by this summer. It is not much to laugh about, because it is a terrible situation for the residents who are affected in these municipalities.

The State has committed and provided funds to the county administrative boards in this case as a grant. They remain. Then I welcome municipal representatives who want to raise this issue directly with me. They are very welcome to do this. So far, no municipality has done so, but they are welcome to come to me.

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Boriana Åberg (M)

Mr. Speaker and the Minister for Foreign Affairs! Russia's war against Ukraine has caused unimaginable human suffering and enormous material destruction of schools, hospitals, housing, and other infrastructure. Sweden has so far contributed support worth more than 25 billion kronor. We will continue to contribute everything we can to help Ukraine.

Comprehensive support from the rest of the world is also needed to rebuild the war-torn Ukraine. What is the government doing to promote Ukraine's cause in the rest of the world outside of Europe?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Boriana Åberg, for the question.

Sweden has so far contributed more than 760 million kronor in support for Ukraine's reconstruction. On July 13, the government adopted a new strategy for Sweden's reconstruction and reform cooperation with Ukraine totaling 6 billion kronor for the period from July 13, 2023, to December 31, 2027. It is part of our overall aid and foreign policy.

Boriana Åberg is, of course, completely right. It is also about seeking support among other states. It is an issue that will now be discussed during the UN high-level week starting next week in New York, where the Prime Minister and I will represent Sweden together with other ministers, including the Minister for Development Cooperation and Trade.

I look forward to many conversations so that we can expand the support measures for Ukraine within the entire UN family and ensure that the people of Ukraine can receive the help needed to rebuild schools, healthcare, and also infrastructure and business activities.

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Fredrik Stenberg (S)

Mr. Speaker! Extremely large private industrial establishments are taking place in Sweden, including in my home municipality of Skellefteå. These are establishments that are positive for the nation and the regions where they occur. But it also entails great pressures. The municipality stands quite alone in the task of managing the rapid establishment and the expansion of housing and welfare that is required, and we bear the risk largely ourselves. My question to the Minister for Civil Affairs is: Has the government understood what is happening in northern Sweden right now?

We believe there is a state interest in ensuring that the green industry's establishments become sustainable, such that communities are built so that people can thrive and welfare functions properly. A package is needed for a kind of "Code Green" when communities are to grow in such an extremely short time, so quickly. What is the Minister doing so that the municipalities can receive support in these issues right now?

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! The answer is yes. The Government has, of course, understood what is happening in these parts of Sweden with the large industrial transformation and development and also how much it contributes to the green transition. We understand it and welcome that transition.

There has, among other things, been a national coordinator who is to facilitate the development we see in the northern parts of the country. Tillväxtverket is an important agency for supporting the affected regions. The County Administrative Boards naturally play a very important role in their mission to promote regional development and growth in our regions.

Since then, it is the municipalities that are responsible for housing construction, housing supply, and industrial establishments. The responsibility must lie with the municipalities. The municipalities also gain very much from the development. Many times this happens in municipalities that previously were almost predestined for population declines, and now they see an enormous development. But the state shall, of course, support in different ways.

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Carita Boulwén (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Threats and violence are unfortunately a large part of everyday life for staff within Sis. According to Akademikerförbundet SSR, almost every second employee at Sis homes has been subjected to threats and violence in the workplace. This is shown by a survey from Novus from 2022.

Despite the fact that Sis staff usually do not work alone, there may occur instances where the placed youth and an employee end up in a situation that is violent or threatening.

While waiting for an investigation of a matter, an employee can be suspended for several weeks, and it can be difficult to unravel what actually happened when word stands against word.

To increase the staff's safety and security, body cameras could be an alternative for staff in certain situations - of course with respect for the individual's privacy. This is something that significantly increases, for example, train attendants' safety. This is shown by a pilot study that Arriva has conducted where they tested exactly this.

My questions to the Minister for Social Services are: Does the Minister intend to review how the safety and security of Sis staff can be improved and strengthened in the daily work with placed young people? And can body cameras be an alternative to consider?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much, member, for an important question! When it comes to the agency Sis, there are many governments that have turned the agency, and above all the children and young people who are there, the back.

But this government has Sis as a priority issue, and it is then a matter of ensuring that the person who has placed a child or young person in Sis gets the help and support they deserve. But it is also a matter of ensuring that we have the right methods and the right powers for our staff.

That is why we are allocating, among other things, 140 million for a competence boost that will give the staff the right opportunities. But we also provide support by writing in opportunities where the staff receive other powers to, for example, be able to use communication equipment or to take such from those deployed. It is also about developing other opportunities for room searches, body searches, and much more. We will return to the question.

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Gustaf Göthberg (M)

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

Control over new technology has become a decisive component in foreign policy and a part that perhaps can be said to define future international power relations.

Cyber threats today also entail new security risks for Sweden. This includes state, state-linked, and even private actors who do their best to gain access to our digital systems in order to steal or destroy data and manipulate information. It can involve government agencies' databases, companies' trade secrets, patents, blueprints, or individuals' correspondence.

In this and in this great upheaval - what is the government doing to hold on to and safeguard our important Swedish interests?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is exactly as Gustaf Göthberg says: Control over new technology has become a decisive component in foreign policy. It also definitively defines future power relations. Cyber threats are real security risks for Sweden.

So, what do we intend to do then? When I presented the government's first foreign policy declaration at the beginning of the year, one of the news items was that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will prioritize cyber issues. To enable this, we appointed Sweden's first envoy for international cyber issues at the end of August. This envoy shall represent Sweden within the EU, Nato, and the UN, in our collaborations with other countries, as well as in the dialogue with the private sector.

The goal within the EU cooperation, which we are firmly committed to, is to achieve an open, free, stable and secure cyber environment where human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law principles are respected. In order to be able to achieve a situation where we have stability in societies, economic growth, prosperity and privacy, this is a necessity.

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Louise Thunström (S)

Mr. Speaker! The Swedish Sámi Association requested a private meeting with Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand in April. After three months, the answer came: The Minister for Culture does not have time during this year.

Currently, a number of important processes are underway that affect the Sámi. This, combined with the perception of increased polarization, means that commitment from the responsible minister is of great importance.

My question is whether the Minister for Culture can consider reprioritizing her calendar. If not – when does she plan to meet the Sami people's largest organization?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Mr. Speaker! I met SSR this spring in a meeting in connection with the Jokkmokk market. It was a very good meeting. At that time, I also invited them to the consultation that we held a little later in the spring with several of the Sámi organizations. SSR did not have the possibility to participate in this consultation, which was unfortunate.

But I really look forward to continuing the dialogue both with SSR and with other Sámi organizations. I know that SSR has had contact with officials within the Ministry of Culture during the period. We will, of course, hold a consultation also this term, to which SSR will also be invited.

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Rashid Farivar (SD)

Mr. Speaker! In his government statement, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that the government will appoint an AI commission with the mandate to provide guidelines regarding AI's opportunities and risks.

This announcement is warmly welcomed by the Sweden Democrats, given the central role that the AI issue has for Sweden's future technological development as a leading industrial nation.

We do, however, look forward to further clarity regarding the commission's mandate in detail when it comes to its central function within the AI area, the composition of the commission, the commission's leadership, and not least the time when the commission will begin its work.

Therefore, I would like to ask Minister for Civil Affairs Erik Slottner if he can provide further clarity regarding the reflections I have just mentioned.

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! The short and straight answer to the question is: No, not really here and now. But within a fairly short time, I hope to be able to return with more proposals.

I believe that very many welcome an AI commission, and it pleases me that the Sweden Democrats also do. Just as the member says, this was announced in the government statement by the Prime Minister. It shall be a commission that promotes AI development but which also comes with proposals on how we can manage the risks that nevertheless exist, not least regarding ethical sustainability.

This is currently being prepared at the Ministry of Finance. I am the Minister for Civil Affairs responsible for digitalization issues, and therefore it is I who is preparing the matter. We will return with both the composition and the exact mandate when such an announcement can be made. But an AI commission will come; the Prime Minister has now said so. That also pleases me very much.

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Johan Hultberg (M)

Mr. Speaker! During the governments of Löfven and Andersson, organized crime grew stronger. It is now truly a threat to the system, and it challenges our free and open society.

Now we are seeing a wave of violence in Stockholm and in Uppsala with a large number of shootings. These are shootings that do not only hit gang criminals but are also directed at their innocent relatives. The criminals spare no means. They are truly domestic terrorists, who must be broken.

To break the criminal gangs, a mobilization of both the welfare state and the justice system is required, and that is exactly what the Moderate-led government is now doing. Yesterday, this chamber made a decision on improved opportunities for secret surveillance, and today the government presented a historically large investment in the justice system.

How is the social services mobilized in the work to restore safety? What measures is the Minister for Social Services taking to prevent crime and ensure that no more young people and children are drawn into crime?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Johan Hultberg, for the question! The answer actually requires a full half-hour to be able to describe the battery of measures that the government is currently working on to ensure that we close the recruitment opportunities and ensure that all children in Sweden get the upbringing they have a right to, namely an upbringing in security.

Swedish social services are absolutely crucial here. One of the most important measures right now is to ensure that we get the new Social Services Act in place. It means that we move from the reactive legislation we have, which is from the 80s, to now giving the social secretaries the opportunity to work preventatively.

In this lies a number of different things. It is also important that we work with the confidentiality issues that today prevent, among others, the social services from obtaining relevant information needed to be able to make interventions in time to break the development and be able to help children and young people in a very good time.

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Linnéa Wickman (S)

Mr. Speaker! In 2015, the S government launched a female mediation network as an important part of the successful feminist foreign policy. The network consists of women who have expert knowledge in diplomacy and peacebuilding and have contributed to strengthening women's role in peace processes around the world. It was also a clear contribution to the implementation of UN resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.

Women are significantly underrepresented in peace negotiations, and there is no doubt that the network is needed. Despite this, the SD government has chosen to put the network's work on hold awaiting an evaluation that should have been completed on June 30 this year but which cannot be found. Furthermore, the government has chosen to cut resources to the Folke Bernadotte Academy, where the network is located.

My question goes to the Minister for Foreign Affairs: Should we interpret this as that the government will abolish the female mediation network?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Mr. Speaker! We know that the connection between equality, gender equality and democracy is strong. Gender equality is not only about women's enjoyment of human rights but is also an effective measure for positive change. Female participation in peace processes has also been shown to lead to more sustainable peace.

It is, however, important to remember that Sweden therefore also works with several different global equality initiatives, including with women's rights organizations. Sweden also works to increase women's political representation and participation as well as to strengthen women's influence at different levels in society. This is done through cooperation with both UN bodies and civil society organizations.

Sweden also plays a leading role in the US-initiated Democracy Summit, where we are responsible for the work on equality and democracy.

I can assure you that Sweden's commitment to these issues will remain great. We think it is important and urgent.

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Malin Höglund (M)

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

During my previous eight years as the chairman of the social welfare committee, I have, together with colleagues, taken care of quite many children. It is a difficult task with many emotions. A child is torn away from their family, their preschool or school, and their friends with the intention of a better upbringing in another place.

No children should have to grow up in insecurity. Foster homes are as close as one can get to a good placement for upbringing. Investments in foster homes are made in many municipalities, including my own municipality, Mora in Dalarna. Other measures where children can be placed are HVB homes or Sis.

The latter, Sis, has been in focus during recent years. The competence among employees and the safety in several of the homes is too low. What is Social Services Minister Camilla Waltersson Grönvall doing to ensure that those who work at Sis have the right competence and that it is a safe environment for both employees and children and young people who are placed there?

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Statsrådet Camilla Waltersson Grönvall (M)

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

What the government is focusing strongly on right now is to overhaul the entire policy to achieve a paradigm shift aimed at ensuring we get preventive work that will lead to fewer children in this country being placed in institutions. This means that we need to review the entire youth care chain, where HVB and Sis are important parts.

During this time, here and now, better conditions must also be secured. This means that we have, among other things, invested 140 million in a skills boost. We have moved from one week to nine weeks when it comes to the training of Sis personnel. We have also looked at the possibility of increasing security by accelerating an investigation that will ensure it is no longer possible for children and young people to order drugs, order weapons, and stage their own escapes. They can do that today, and it is astonishing.

To this end, the government has commissioned a number of investigations in order to be able to strengthen the possibility of searches and inspections to ensure that we do not have weapons and drugs in our Sis-homes and thereby make it safe and secure for our children.

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Anna-Belle Strömberg (S)

Mr. Speaker! The investigation on over-indebtedness proposes a number of good measures. But on one point, we think one could go further, namely to propose stricter rules for the marketing of credits.

Just a week ago, on September 7, the Consumer Agency issued a press release. They had examined six well-known large credit brokers and now directed sharp criticism at these companies. The sellers are unclear about why they are calling and pressure the consumers. They had found several examples where the consumer had been clear that he or she wished to become debt-free as soon as possible, but where the credit broker pushed and argued for the consumer to choose a longer repayment period than he or she desired.

Question Time

My question to Minister Erik Slottner is: How does the Minister intend to address the misleading marketing of credits that is currently taking place?

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question.

I have previously answered a question regarding this very investigation. It is now being prepared. It will be sent out for consultation, and we will both collect views on the proposals that have been submitted and hear if anything is missing that we should take with us moving forward.

The marketing of credits and so-called aggressive marketing is a problem. Part of the reason for over-indebtedness is that one targets households that, for various reasons, are vulnerable so that they will incur large over-indebtednesses. This is a huge problem.

It is not the marketing of credits that I, as Civil Minister, am responsible for, even though I, as the minister responsible for consumer issues, received the investigation itself. It should also be said that many of the proposals that the investigation comes up with fall within the areas of responsibility of other ministers. The marketing of credits is one such example, and therefore that question must be asked of another member of the government.

Question time was hereby concluded.

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