Question Time

TALMANNEN

I would like to welcome the ministers. Questions today will be answered by Minister for Health and Care Jakob Forssmed, Minister Acko Ankarberg Johansson, Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren and Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin.

A question must be of an overarching and general political nature or concern a subject that falls within the minister's area of responsibility and concerns his performance of duties. 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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Mikael Dahlqvist (S)

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

Three people have died in less than twelve hours. First, an 18-year-old man was shot dead at a sports ground among children playing ball games. A few hours later, another fatal shooting occurred. The misery continued with an explosion, one of many in a row, with further fatalities.

Sweden has recently been washed over by a wave of violence that we have never experienced before. It is like a tsunami. All the sorrow, all the worry and all the despair does not only affect relatives and friends, but the feeling is strong among the population. The insecurity is growing. Sweden is becoming increasingly dangerous.

Action is needed here and now. My question now goes to Minister Jakob Forssmed: What is the government doing concretely, here and now, to break the escalation of the deadly violence we are seeing?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! It is a completely exceptional situation that we have.

It happened at a sports ground yesterday. I spoke today with representatives for sports clubs. There are nine clubs that train at this sports ground. It is children who do not dare to go to their sports ground. They are now forced to close.

An explosion has affected about forty houses and families. People are forced to give up their lives if they happen to be in the, as they say, wrong place at the wrong time.

The government is taking a lot of measures that we should have taken a long time ago. This Sunday, the police will get access to something that has been requested for ten years: to be able to actively monitor these gangs' communications in a completely different way. We are expanding the justice system - we are investing 90 billion in this, up from 69 billion. But of course, we are also looking at what else we can do here and now to deal with this very serious situation.

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Mikael Dahlqvist (S)

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

The police call it an ongoing low-intensity crisis situation in the media today. A major economically driving factor for gang violence is narcotics. We must now together consider how we stop the inflow and the use.

At the same time, I want to say that we Social Democrats are now reaching out for a broad common dialogue. My question to the Minister is whether the government is prepared to enter into cross-party negotiations.

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! It is excellent if many parties now join behind measures that one may have been against previously, so that we together create the conditions for a breadth of measures that can be implemented against this, both preventive to stop new recruitment and measures here and now.

The government is reviewing what further we can do in this exceptional situation. But we have a long-term plan for this with increased penalties, a major expansion of the justice system and new methods and tools for the police.

Everyone must consider what they can contribute, especially when it comes to drugs, so that one does not personally contribute to giving money to the gangs.

We will review everything we can do.

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Angelica Lundberg (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Following the Audit Office's much-publicized program on Swedish gender-affirming care, appalling stories have emerged. Children treated for gender dysphoria have had their lives ruined and felt like guinea pigs.

With reference to an uncertain scientific situation and new knowledge, Socialstyrelsen reversed its position in February 2022. In the new recommendations, it is advocated that puberty-blocking treatment should be given only in exceptional cases. Despite this, treatment with puberty blockers was initiated for 41 children last year, which is approximately the same number as the year before - treatment that in many cases is irreversible.

It is obvious that the Socialstyrelsen's new recommendations are not being followed. I would therefore like to ask the Minister for Health and Social Affairs if the Minister will act to prevent children from being subjected to experiments and serious risks within transgender care.

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, member, for an important question!

Everyone who seeks care should always know that they will be met with correct and respectful treatment, but also that they will encounter safe and secure care in all situations, including when seeking care for gender dysphoria.

That is why we have rules surrounding this which are also linked to age. Let me mention in that context that it is not permitted to carry out gender-affirming care in the form of surgical procedures if one is under 18 years of age. The same applies to hormone treatment if there is no very specific exception from it. When it comes to the removal of gonads, the age limit is 23 years.

These boundaries have been established based on medical science and experience because it provides security for the patient: When I seek care and am recommended care, I know that it happens in a safe manner.

What has been revealed in the media is something that is to be followed up by our supervisory authority Ivo. I will gladly return to that shortly.

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Angelica Lundberg (SD)

Mr. Speaker! The number of cases of gender dysphoria has increased, and the majority of applicants also have other psychiatric diagnoses.

Instead of children being treated with puberty blockers and surgical interventions, which actually occurs despite the age limits, treatment to strengthen mental well-being must be implemented. In the case that someone with severe anorexia does not feel comfortable with their body, it is of course obvious that the care does not surgically remove a rib.

Does the Minister share the view that psychological treatment should be the primary intervention in cases of gender dysphoria?

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Member, for the opportunity to supplement!

When it comes to the last point, I will be direct: It is never politicians who should decide on medical interventions. It must always be done by medically trained personnel, in all situations.

Regarding the first question, it is necessary that we use our supervisory authorities. Ivo is the authority we have for the supervision of healthcare. From time to time, they receive criticism from Ivo for being too sharp and too clear. I think they are doing perfectly right by using their entire toolbox.

Since then, we have a way to handle this. One can, of course, provide comments on the supervision, and it is handled legally in that way. But it is necessary with a supervision that functions in all situations.

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Tony Haddou (V)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Health and Social Affairs and concerns the proposal for a reporting law that would lay the foundation for a reporting society that opposes freedom, security, legal certainty, and democratic basic principles.

Vänsterpartiet has previously demanded that the government withdraw the proposal for a reporting law. We stand by that.

We also see thousands in new protests across the country. The demands to withdraw the proposal come from all of Sweden's trade union representatives. Municipality by municipality in the country says no. Regions have urged their employees not to participate.

This continues. How then can the Minister for Health and Social Affairs listen more to the Sweden Democrats than to Sweden's united welfare professions and healthcare staff, who say no to this and who uphold this country?

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Member, for the question! I believe it is important that we stick to what has been done. Sometimes we discuss that in the debate we use superlatives and stretch things out, which leads to polarization.

It is important to remember here that there is no proposal. What exists is an ongoing investigation commissioned by the previous government with the aim of increasing the exchange of information between authorities. I think it is absolutely necessary that we do this.

One of the reasons is that there are examples, such as the one SVT has reported, where a person, after all procedures having been completed, has committed 23 crimes in Sweden despite not having the right to be here. We have not been able to handle the situation. It is clear that the information needs to increase.

What this government has done, together with the coalition partner Sverigedemokraterna, is to issue supplementary directives. I am pleased that it appears that we will also look at the situations where there are ethical reasons to see it differently. There may be compelling reasons, for example, within healthcare and when it concerns children's right to schooling.

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Tony Haddou (V)

Mr. Speaker! It is clearly stated in the Tidö Agreement, which you have signed, that it is about reporting, and this is a proposal that will end up on the Riksdag's table.

Everyone who has knowledge of and experience with undocumented people knows that exceptions that one is supposed to look at are not something that works. Already today, very many are afraid to seek care, including pregnant women and people with life-threatening illnesses. As an undocumented person, it is impossible to keep track of, for example, which exceptions exist. At the core lies a fear.

The Minister says that one should not fuel the polarization. That is what you do when you come forward with a proposal like this. Withdraw it!

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! There is no proposal yet. There is no reason to discuss a proposal that does not exist. I am, however, very pleased that it appears that there are reasons to make compassionate exceptions. Just the care for undocumented persons is such an exception. One does not have the right to utilize the entire health and medical care but only to receive care that cannot be postponed. And what is more compassionate than just this?

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Daniel Bäckström (C)

Mr. Speaker! I would like to ask a question to Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren. Last week, we were reached by notifications from county administrative boards regarding the upcoming allocation for license hunting of wolves. It is a decision concerning thirty-six wolves, six wolves in six territories, in five different counties in the southern and central predator management area. No hunting has been granted in Gävleborg, Dalarna or Skåne.

We see how the wolf population is expanding and the consequences of this for people who engage in different types of activities and animal husbandry. I have taken note of the Minister for Rural Affairs' statements that the government wants to see a significantly reduced wolf population. My question to the Minister for Rural Affairs is therefore: How is it that the authorities have made decisions regarding such a low number of wolves and that the decision does not align with statements from government representatives?

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Landsbygdsministern Peter Kullgren (KD)

Mr. Speaker! It is because the assignment to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency to follow what the Riksdag has said arrived much too late. It arrived during the last year of the previous government's mandate period.

This is a mandate that we have now clarified even further so that we can get a regulatory framework in place and thereby reduce the wolf population. We are sharpening the previous mandate and clarifying what we need to do to have a favorable conservation status with such a small wolf population. The mandate has also been moved forward and is to be reported on June 30 next year.

So far we have no change, but unfortunately we have not been able to do much about that. We have pushed this assignment as hard as we could.

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Daniel Bäckström (C)

Mr. Speaker! I have taken note of the assigned tasks. My follow-up question to the Minister for Rural Affairs is: How will the government ensure that there is a substantial reduction in administration in the upcoming decisions regarding the 2025 allocation, so that the allocation becomes significantly larger than the given allocation for 2024?

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Landsbygdsministern Peter Kullgren (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Member, for the follow-up question! The basis is that we must give a new mandate before a new decision. It needs to be investigated how we can live up to our EU legal obligations with a smaller wolf population. I would have liked to see this done already eight years ago. Then we might not have been in the development with an explosive increase of the wolf population that we have seen during the last two parliamentary terms.

In addition to this with the license hunt, we have also, as the member very well knows, given a mandate regarding reinforcements of the protection hunt.

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Katarina Luhr (MP)

Mr. Speaker! My question also goes to Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren. This year's weather has led to both reduced income and increased expenses for Sweden's farmers. The assessment is that the entire country and all production sectors have been affected by the spring's drought and the summer's precipitation. In August, farmers in Örebro could be seen paddling canoes across their crops.

We have now seen clearly lowered climate ambitions in the budget, as well as lowered climate adaptation ambitions. In the autumn amendment budget, there is financial support of 193 million to affected farmers, but hopefully the government has not only intended to continue compensating those affected by climate change but also plans for continued climate adaptation measures.

I want to ask the Minister for Rural Affairs whether the government now intends to implement any measures to protect and climate-adapt agriculture and, if so, which ones.

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Landsbygdsministern Peter Kullgren (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much, member, for a good question! It has truly been a terrible year for Sweden's farmers. I have been and visited these fields where people have paddled canoes, and I almost felt, in the middle of the country, a sea scent when it began to rot on the fields that should have given us grain for our bread slices for breakfast. It is, therefore, a tough year.

The government has done what we can regarding the crisis support that the EU Commission has granted Sweden. We have co-financed the support we can to the maximum extent. I understand that this is a small consolation for farmers who have lost half of their harvest income. But that is how the regulations are structured, and that is what we can do.

What is absolutely most important for a more resilient agriculture in Sweden is that we continue to work for increased profitability in agriculture. We do that by ensuring that the competitiveness of Swedish agriculture increases.

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Katarina Luhr (MP)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much for the answer, Minister for Rural Affairs! My follow-up question is whether there are any physical measures that you envision can be taken so that the food supply can be strengthened and secured in the long term, so that agriculture can achieve good competitiveness even in the future.

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Landsbygdsministern Peter Kullgren (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Yes, it is clear that there are a lot of ideas about this. Those who are best at it are usually the farmers themselves, who know how the water flows in their area, whether it concerns floods, and where they could have irrigation ponds.

But the basis is that a profitable agriculture has the opportunity to invest in its resilience. Therefore, we must - together, I hope - ensure that we increase the competitiveness of Swedish agriculture and thereby its profitability.

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John Widegren (M)

Mr. Speaker! I think we will continue on the same theme and talk about Swedish agriculture. It has, as said, been a challenging year - actually a number of challenging years in a row since 2018.

One must remember that the current food strategy is from 2017. But we have not been anywhere near reaching those goals, and it looks darker and darker regarding reaching them.

We now see around the world how food supply is functioning poorly, as well as the movement of agricultural products. We see strongly growing populations in areas that perhaps will not be able to produce food in the future, which makes it even more important that we increase production in Sweden. The EU Commission has also pointed out that the future for food production lies in Sweden.

But how do we now counter the fact that more and more farmers are nevertheless choosing to close their barn door for the last time? How can the next part of the food strategy nevertheless give hope that we will achieve an increased production?

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Landsbygdsministern Peter Kullgren (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question. I believe that the food strategy 2.0 will be a contributing cause in turning this development around. Then, I believe that the basic attitude from the government and the Riksdag has an effect – that we are now looking at and changing how we describe our Swedish agriculture. We are moving away from describing it as environmentally hazardous, as it has been portrayed for far too many years. I believe that also has an effect. It is about how one views agriculture in Sweden.

When it comes to the food strategy 2.0, I have based my work on those who are affected. It is farmers and the rest of the food chain whom I have asked to provide as concrete input as possible regarding how we can increase food production in Sweden.

We have received extensive material, had many round-table discussions and so on. Right now, we are going through all the proposals. I look forward to returning and presenting the government's view on the proposals that have been submitted.

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John Widegren (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the answer. This is a question that perhaps actually concerns two ministers here.

Just this year has been extremely bad. We cut off much of our spring crop during the spring to get fodder for our animals. Then the rain has caused the harvest to become extremely poor this autumn, which means we probably face a shortage situation by spring when it comes to seed for the spring crop.

This is one of the things that we have chosen to no longer keep in stock in Sweden. How are we going to ensure that we achieve resilience and robustness in the future with larger stocks?

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Landsbygdsministern Peter Kullgren (KD)

Mr. Speaker! The drought in 2018, the pandemic in 2019, Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, and this summer with first drought and then wet weather, which has caused problems, demonstrate our vulnerability. When supply chains are broken, we can also observe that we stand vulnerable in an import-dependent country. Therefore, investigations have been commissioned. I and the Minister for Civil Defence have much dialogue regarding how we can strengthen resilience, but we will also return to that when the investigations etcetera are presented.

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Dan Hovskär (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Sweden must tackle the long healthcare queues and the large regional differences within cancer care.

An alarming fact is that approximately half of the patients with breast cancer, lung cancer or prostate cancer do not receive care within the promised lead times. It is serious. It affects the individuals and also their families.

The country's regions receive 400 million so that waiting times in cancer care are kept within the specified timeframes. Despite this, there are many regions that do not manage to keep the waiting times.

According to the Regional Cancer Centers in collaboration, cancer care is a reflection of how pressured the healthcare system is. And it is noticeable that more people are affected by cancer and need treatment.

My question to Minister for Health Acko Ankarberg Johansson is: What does the government intend to do to reduce the queues within cancer care?

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, member, for the question! Yes, the short answer is that we are doubling the investment, from 500 million to 1 billion annually, on the cancer strategy. But there is reason to drill down a bit into the questions.

We have some different goals that we measure in cancer care. One is about ensuring that at certain indications, these and these treatments are needed in order to achieve the best treatment result. It is often called person-centered standardized care pathways when one knows what someone needs to go through to get the best result.

We have set a goal that 70 percent of all patients need to be given the chance to receive such [treatment] to get the best treatment. We are almost there today. Almost all regions now manage this. One might wonder: Should it not be 100 percent? No, it happens sometimes that someone is affected by a cancer and a tumor type that is not so invasive that all that treatment is required, but one needs to do it in another way. And age can make the treatment too heavy and be fatal in itself.

The inclusion goal, as it is called, is really good and works well today.

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Dan Hovskär (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the answer. According to a senior physician at Skåne University Hospital in Lund, 15 cases have been reported under Lex Maria where delays have contributed to cancer patients passing away. Cancer is today the second most common cause of death in Sweden after cardiovascular diseases, but it is expected to become the most common in the future.

What does the Minister intend to do for further measures to work preventatively and avoid an increase in cancer diagnoses?

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! When it comes to the inclusion goal, that is to say that one should receive the right treatment, we are doing quite well today in all regions. But the waiting times are the problem. That is why I believe that the money will do some good. But the competence supply is also about the employees' work environment. It is also about that when it comes to this functioning well.

In the upcoming work of utilizing all available healthcare capacity in the national healthcare coordination, we have focused on patients who have breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer, as we see that the needs are great there. If we can use available capacity, we shall do so regardless of where in the country it is located. Many measures are required.

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Elin Nilsson (L)

Mr. Speaker! I have a question for Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren. Sweden has one of the world's best animal welfare systems, but there is still more to be done. Mink farming is precisely such an area. Here, the criticism from an animal welfare perspective is clear.

We in the Liberals have for a long time pushed for the phasing out of mink farming. It is about the fact that minks, which are water-loving and mobile animals, are not given an outlet for their natural behaviors when they are kept in cages - to name one thing. It is therefore very pleasing that there is now financial support for the voluntary phasing out of mink farming in the latest budget bill.

For us Liberals, this is an important first step towards a permanent phase-out of mink farming in Sweden. In this regard, my question to the Minister is: What does the Minister do for the assessment of the support's effects? Will the number of minks bred for their fur decrease as a result of this?

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Landsbygdsministern Peter Kullgren (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Yes, I believe so, because in parallel with this support, the work to review the animal welfare legislation will begin. And the purpose is to investigate whether the Animal Welfare Act should be amended so that fur farming is no longer permitted.

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Elin Nilsson (L)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Minister for Rural Affairs, for the answer! It sounds hopeful. But what if a voluntary phase-out still does not become the result of this support! An investigation can take time, and it can take time before new legislation is in place. Therefore, I wonder if the Minister for Rural Affairs is prepared to take further measures before the legislation is in place, of course in an orderly manner, so that we see a permanent phase-out sooner.

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Landsbygdsministern Peter Kullgren (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Now we have introduced this support, which will apply for two years, so that these companies can have a controlled winding down. When the two years have passed - or when the legislation is in place - there is no possibility for the companies that are wound down voluntarily to receive any funds. I believe that this in itself will also be a driving factor. Now the window is open to receive compensation. It is open for a time; then it closes. That is how we have set up this model, and I believe that this will have an effect.

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Helén Pettersson (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Civil Defence, Carl-Oskar Bohlin. A fundamental part of, if not to say a prerequisite for, a strong civil defence is a strong civil society. We see this, not least in Ukraine today. A well-organized population contributes to the highest degree to strengthening societal functions in crisis and war. A well-informed population is ultimately what sustains democracy and constitutes resilience against disinformation.

How does the minister now imagine that Sweden can expand, build up and strengthen civil defense at the same time as the government in its budget brutally and deliberately cuts funds and support to Swedish civil society?

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Statsrådet Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M)

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

Let me begin by clarifying that the funds for civil defense also increase significantly in the budget proposal that is now before us. We are increasing, for example, the appropriation to the Authority for Psychological Defence, which in the era we live in has a central and important mission when it comes to providing support to organizations and authorities to handle, for example, disinformation and influence campaigns that Sweden is increasingly exposed to. Naturally, civil society is completely instrumental. Here I note that, for example, our voluntary defense organizations have a large and important role to fill. These are activities that have grown after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and we must naturally do everything we can to provide these organizations with the conditions to continue growing.

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Leonid Yurkovskiy (SD)

Mr. Speaker! I direct my question to the Minister for Health and Social Affairs.

I believe that subjecting children to religious rituals where healthy skin around the genitals is removed is ethically questionable in itself. But after Tuesday's interpellation debate on non-medical circumcisions, I wonder how the Convention on the Rights of the Child can be reconciled with the government's somewhat passive stance in this case.

According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a state shall take all effective measures aimed at eliminating traditional practices that are harmful to children's health. This is not being complied with today.

I also want to touch upon two objections to a ban. One concerns freedom of religion. The freedom to practice a certain religion, whichever it may be, does not imply a freedom to perform rituals on another human being. The second concerns the claim that more people would be harmed by a ban. This is based on the belief that certain religious minorities would be reluctant to follow Swedish law if a ban were introduced. It is both cynical and uncertain.

I want to be sincere and say that the conclusion for me is crystal clear: We shall not perform prepubescent rituals for children within Swedish healthcare. Therefore, my question to the Minister: Why does the government want to continue to allow non-medical circumcision for children?

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Member Andersson Garpvall and I had a longer exchange on this last Tuesday, and that debate can be listened to in its entirety if one wishes.

The circumcision law that was added in 2001 was something that both the government at the time and the Riksdag found to be an appropriate path. It was a result of careful balancing between two important values. The current government does not intend to change this, rather that law stands. On the other hand, it is important to follow the issue and have oversight.

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Andrea Andersson Tay (V)

Mr. Speaker! We have for a long time heard alarm reports about the situation for the herring in the Baltic Sea. Large-scale industrial fishing has to a large extent emptied the sea of fish, which have been exported and become fish meal. At the same time, small-scale coastal fishing is on its knees, and fishermen along the Baltic coast testify that they are catching fewer and smaller fish. The shortage of herring threatens the entire Baltic Sea ecosystem.

In accordance with researchers' recommendations, the EU Commission has now presented a proposal for a fishing ban on herring in much of the Baltic Sea. Researchers, environmental organizations, and small-scale fishers agree that it is urgent to stop industrial fishing before the herring is beyond saving. But many also emphasize the importance of exceptions for small-scale coastal fishing.

My question to the Minister for Rural Affairs is: Will the government in the EU negotiations work to stop the industrial fishing of herring in the Baltic Sea?

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Landsbygdsministern Peter Kullgren (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Sweden has, as the member knows, long pushed for sustainable and scientifically based quotas for fishing.

We can also observe that the herring and sprat stocks are also affected by other things. Fishing is a given part, but it is also about the presence of predators - it can be other predatory fish, it can be cormorants, and it can be seals and so on.

We will be active in the negotiations and work for sustainable quotas in accordance with the common fisheries policy's goals so that we will also be able to have surströmming preparation and a coastal fishery in Sweden in the future. It will be the government's goal in the upcoming negotiations.

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Anne-Li Sjölund (C)

Mr. Speaker! It is clear that the folk education organizations are desperate over the massive cuts that the government is now going to carry out. We in the Center Party are just as desperate as the study associations.

Breaking down such a fundamental part of our civil society will, of course, have consequences. In times like these, popular education and our civil society organizations and associations are more important than ever.

Community life is in many places the glue that holds the local community together and takes a great local responsibility. This also includes the sports movement's study association RF-Sisu. Within the sports movement, the concern is as great as with the other study associations. But since it does not appear in the budget how their support looks, I want to ask Minister Jakob Forssmed: In what way will the cuts affect Sisu and thus the sports movement?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I share the questioner's view that civil society is indispensable in a good society. We are also making several initiatives in the budget that are directed at civil society. It concerns 100 million permanently for civil society organizations, specifically targeted at those who perform efforts among vulnerable people in our country. We strengthen the security regarding religious communities and the safety around them, so that people can meet and express their faith in safety and security.

We also make redistributions when it comes to education. We strengthen the support for the folk high schools, but as the questioner says, we make cuts when it comes to student unions. There is also a history with some underlying material and other things that have turned out not to be correct. It is part of a compromise and a negotiation in the government, where there are investments in civil society and also redistributions to other educational initiatives.

Regarding RF-Sisu, no decision has been made in the government.

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Elin Söderberg (MP)

Mr. Speaker! I turn to the Minister for Civil Defence, and my question concerns climate adaptation.

In the budget for 2024, the government is phasing out funds to MSB for mapping, impact assessments, and risk management plans regarding climate-related floods, landslides, rockslides, heatwaves, and forest fires. I wonder if the Minister for Civil Defence can elaborate on his view on the need for mapping and data from our agencies for effective climate adaptation measures in the future.

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Statsrådet Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Member, for the question! The assessment is that the need remains, and that is also why MSB will continue to work with these issues. The specific earmarked funds that disappear in the appropriation amount to 16.5 million kronor, of which MSB used 10 million kronor during the previous year. At the same time, however, MSB's total appropriation is increasing, and MSB retains the assignment.

We expect that MSB will continue to work with these issues. Already in December, a government mandate will be delivered concerning the creation of analysis conditions for municipalities to manage and map large amounts of stormwater resulting from cloudbursts, for example. The assessment is therefore that the need remains and that MSB will continue to work with this.

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Katarina Tolgfors (M)

Mr. Speaker! Since Member Daniel Bäckström from Centerpartiet has already addressed the issue of trophy hunting of wolves, I shall attempt to angle my question somewhat differently.

In Örebro län, which is my home county, the county administrative board has settled on a quota of twelve wolves that may be shot when the season begins in January 2024. For the northern part of Örebro län, however, the quota is zero. It is a very wolf-dense area.

Given the decision from the County Administrative Board, despite the fact that the government, the minister, and the Riksdag have been clear regarding a larger quota for the culling of wolves and that the wolf population should decrease, my question to the Minister for Rural Affairs is: Is there a dialogue with the County Administrative Boards now that we see such significant deviations from the Riksdag's decision?

The answer earlier here was that new directives will be given, but will there be a dialogue in between? Can the Minister elaborate on this?

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

Landsbygdsministern Peter Kullgren (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question.

As the responsible minister, I will of course continue to have a dialogue with the authorities that fall under my political responsibility and, of course, also with the county governors. I will of course ask questions about the license hunt, just as I did last time when I met the county governors and followed up on what worked well and what worked less well with the previous license hunt.

How many wolves are to be culled is decided by the county administrative boards, which base their decisions on current regulations, which the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has now been tasked to change. I can neither nor may comment on the decisions that have been made.

However, I can state that the government's will and political goals are to reduce the wolf population, and it is precisely for that reason that we have given new assignments on this.

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

Mathias Bengtsson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! For many children and young people, feeling good is a given, but for others, it is a constant struggle. Many testify to an everyday life with worry about the future, involuntary loneliness, bullying, and body and behavior ideals that create anxiety and insecurity.

This development has been ongoing for a long time and is deeply worrying. The proportion of young people who state that they feel depressed has doubled over the last 20 years. More and more are seeking care for mental ill-health, and the most common cause of death among young people today - the most common reason why parents have to bury their children - is suicide.

Everyone understands that there is a lot that needs to be done on a broad front here, but I still wonder if the Minister for Social Affairs could tell us about some of the steps the government is taking to reverse the development.

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

Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question.

The first thing is, naturally, that people need to receive care in a timely manner. We in the government are investing a record amount in shortening the queues to child and adolescent psychiatry, but it also requires that the regions prioritize this and ensure that as many as possible are given the opportunity for help and do not have to wait. Furthermore, one must be able to find the right path. Many are frustrated that it is difficult to find the right authority to get help when one might be desperate. But we will not be able to treat away all problems, instead, we must do much more.

It is one thing that gnaws at me a bit, and it is the screens - how they push out other things, how they push out sleep, which is important for feeling well, how they push out physical activity, which has a connection to mental health, and how they push out relationships. Not least, we have all the content that just washes over children and young people and that they are expected to sort out themselves in a way that is not always reasonable.

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

Tomas Kronståhl (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to Minister for Rural Affairs Kullgren. We are facing a growing problem regarding so-called wolf hybrids, i.e., crossbreeds between dog and wolf.

The wolf hybrid is a phenomenon that not only affects people's safety but also impacts the balance in nature. A wolf in the wild is usually very shy and withdraws from humans, while a wolf hybrid has dog genes that can entice it to approach humans and domestic animals, which can and on several occasions has been shown to lead to truly hideous and dangerous situations. This makes hybrids directly unsuitable as pets.

The regulatory framework for these wolf hybrids is currently deficient, which makes it very difficult to manage and apply. In Sweden, for example, it is not permitted to have hybrids that come from the first four generations after a cross between wolf and dog. This means that it is very difficult, if not impossible, for the authorities to track and prove.

Does the Minister and the Government intend to change the law and stop these dangerous hybrids?

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

Landsbygdsministern Peter Kullgren (KD)

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

This relatively recently highlighted issue makes me deeply concerned. Many times it is about irresponsible dog owners who cause various dog-related problems in our society. Incorrect behavior can develop in all dog breeds, but it is clear that there are breeds, or in this case hybrids, that can cause even greater harm.

Not all animals are suitable to have as pets due to their characteristics and natural instincts. The laws and regulations that exist today aim to ensure that one does not have wolf hybrids with too much wolf content. The whole idea with the regulatory framework is that a phasing out shall occur, which the Swedish Board of Agriculture has been clear about in the communication regarding this.

If the Swedish Board of Agriculture considers that the current rules do not live up to the objective of the regulatory framework, it is clear that I am open to looking at it.

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

Angelika Bengtsson (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Agents without licenses and with links to gang crime constitute a growing problem within Swedish football. This was reported by Svenska Dagbladet during the week. We also know that match-fixing is carried out by gang criminals to earn and launder money.

Yesterday we had a shooting, again linked to gang crime, in the middle of ongoing sports training. Given the increased gang crime in our society, which makes itself felt daily through all the shootings and now explosions, it is not strange that even sports are being drawn in.

How will the Minister responsible for sports ensure that criminals stay away from sports, a place that should be a safe zone for our children and young people?

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

Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question.

What happened at the sports venue is absolutely terrible. Children must be able to go to their practices without ending up in changing rooms to seek protection.

The questioner is correct that criminal gangs seek out everywhere there are opportunities and money. We are now making a major investment in the Gambling Authority to better be able to combat match-fixing. It is a profound problem for sports when this occurs, and it strikes against sports' values.

We in the government are carrying out active work regarding the Macolin Convention, which would make the work even more powerful in this regard. We are also naturally looking at other measures, and I know that the Football Association is also actively working on the issue of agent activities, both nationally and internationally.

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

Oskar Svärd (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to the Minister for Civil Defence. The current government is strengthening the defence significantly. The military defence receives a record increase of 27 billion, and the budget will be three times as large as it was in 2014.

We see that civil duty is to be reactivated and that the business sector is being increasingly involved in the buildup of civil defense. But perhaps the most important question, and the question that is closest to our citizens, is that of local preparedness.

Municipalities and regions have a great responsibility for the total defense to function. It concerns shelters, emergency storage, the development of organizations for war and crisis, and much more. In my home region of Örebro, the municipalities' possibilities differ, just as in the rest of Sweden.

Against this background, I would like to ask the Minister: How does the Minister intend to strengthen the preparedness of municipalities and regions going forward, given the need for a reinforced total defense?

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

Statsrådet Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Oskar Svärd, for a very important question! Just as the member emphasizes, the capability in civil defense often arises furthest out in the system, that is, where the public meets the individual citizen. When it comes to the capability to have continuity planning, backup power, emergency water plans etcetera, much of this work lies with the municipalities.

That is why the government presents in the budget bill for 2024 a reinforcement for the municipalities. It is a clear resource increase aimed at strengthening the work with precisely civil defense in the municipalities, towards the dimensioning level of heightened readiness. Alongside the general supplements, general government grants, of around 10 billion kronor given to the municipalities, we also direct specific funds - 150 million kronor - to the municipalities' work with readiness.

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

Torsten Elofsson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I have a question for Minister Jakob Forssmed. It is a question that is surely on everyone's lips today, namely the increasingly more serious crime that we see and the spiral of violence that is spinning faster and faster.

The police testify today that more and more children are being exploited and drawn into this wave of violence and that gang criminals approach and lure young people to carry out acts such as explosions and shootings.

Experience and research indicate that the recruitment that takes place can be broken. But it requires a total mobilization of society, from civil society, from the public sector and from the private sector. Criminologists highlight and speak about the supporting triangle – three cornerstones. It is the private, i.e., the family, the public sector and civil society. In Sweden, we have for a long time relied on the public sector.

My question is: How do we strengthen cooperation with civil society and the public sector, and how can we give children in the vulnerable areas hope for the future?

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

Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! In the short term, we need to push back against the criminals with the full force of the justice system, so that children can get to their training safely and securely. This is a basis for civil society to be able to function at all. Then we make a long series of interventions to prevent new recruitment, for example, parental support. We know that it is extremely effective to give parents better tools to be able to help their children in a tough and difficult world.

We are also investing 100 million kronor specifically for sports in vulnerable areas so that associations can have a greater presence and offer other communities where children are seen and people say: Welcome here! We have missed you. Here you are loved. Here you can be together with present adults.

We need competing and strong forces of power to what the gangs offer. And there, civil society is a key.

We will also introduce a leisure card that gives, not least those who have poorer economic circumstances, the opportunity to participate in sports and other association life.

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

Heléne Björklund (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to the Minister for Civil Defence.

One of the areas that is currently highly topical within the Minister's area of responsibility concerns the consequences of the climate crisis. The Government's own expert group has stated that the appropriations need to be larger in order to both map out and climate-adapt the country.

This year we have seen how storms, rain, fires and drought have hit hard against different parts of Sweden. Forest owners, farmers, municipalities and private individuals have seen large parts of their life's work lost.

The government's response to this will be cut resources. A third of the appropriations to the minister's own agency, MSB, have been removed. One of the heads at MSB spoke to DN and said: We do not understand at all. We were completely surprised.

Therefore, I want to ask the Minister how he views this enormous reduction. Who is going to do the work? Are you going to pass this on to regions and municipalities as well?

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

Statsrådet Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M)

Mr. Speaker! Now I think we should start by keeping our mouths shut. MSB's total appropriation for 2024 amounts to 1.7 billion kronor, and it is therefore a question of a saving of 16 million kronor from a specific appropriation of which 10 million kronor were used during the previous year. This assignment still remains with MSB. MSB will still devote itself to this.

Then we should not mix apples and pears here. The resources that go to the municipalities and that the municipalities can apply for to make changes - climate adaptation measures - increase from 485 million kronor to 507 million kronor during the next year, that is, in the budget bill for 2024.

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

Lars Larsson (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question also goes to Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin.

Emergency airports constitute an important cornerstone of the Swedish total defense. The emergency airports are important for fire aviation, ambulance aviation, the coast guard, and the military defense. Therefore, it is problematic with counties that are left without.

Last year, the government announced that Halmstad Airport would be designated as a contingency airport, a development that has been sought for several years given Halland's strategic location with large ports, a large regiment, and important connections.

Just a few months later, reports emerged that the government's investigators were proposing that Halmstad Airport's newly acquired status as a preparedness airport should be scrapped.

The state needs to act in a long-term and predictable manner. At the same time, we in Sverigedemokraterna believe that the state's crisis preparedness needs to be available in all counties.

Therefore, my question to the Minister is whether he can today provide any information regarding the future of Halmstad Airport as an emergency airport.

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

Statsrådet Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M)

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

The issue of emergency airports is localized with the Minister for Housing and Infrastructure, Andreas Carlson. But what I can say generally is that one should not confuse the conclusions of an investigation that is currently being prepared with the question of which airports will be emergency airports in the future.

What I can say generally is that the government, in the budget bill for 2024, is moving forward with an investment in precisely the emergency airports in order to enable more airports to receive status as emergency airports.

Just as the questioner says, the standby airports are a very important and fundamental part of the infrastructure that strengthens our preparedness.

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

Jesper Skalberg Karlsson (M)

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

Cancer is the second deadliest disease in Sweden and is on its way to becoming the deadliest. It is a grim development. At the same time, we know that certain forms of cancer can actually be prevented. Through HPV vaccination of young girls, cervical cancer has been almost eradicated. At the same time, we know that the HPV virus can also affect young boys and men.

My question is: What can the government do so that fewer boys and men are affected by HPV-related cancer?

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

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

It is actually absolutely fantastic that one can avoid cancer with a vaccine. And specifically HPV-related cancer is the only one where we have this situation right now, and therefore we shall use all the resources we have so that we can eliminate this type of cancer.

For a couple of years now, young boys have been offered this vaccine in grade 5. Now the government has given a mandate to also look at how we can perform a catch-up vaccination, i.e., supplement it for older men but also for men who have sex with men because there is a greater risk of cancer there. This mandate has been given, and I hope to receive information on what it will cost and how it can be done and receive a follow-up. If we can eliminate HPV-related cancer, we shall do so.

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

Yasmine Bladelius (S)

Mr. Speaker! At the same time as our country is shaken by the terrible and unmitigated violence of shootings and explosions, our common welfare is also being shaken violently. Healthcare is facing an incredibly tough economic situation, and doctors, nurses, and nursing assistants testify to a completely unsustainable situation. Many have warned of this situation and have pleaded with the government.

Now more and more announcements are coming from regions all over Sweden. Major warnings and cuts await in a healthcare system that is already very tightly stretched in an already very difficult time in our country.

The government's budget for the coming year is a betrayal of all healthcare personnel, of all municipalities and of all regions and leaves a budget gap in welfare that corresponds to 15,388 nursing assistants.

I therefore want to ask Minister for Health Acko Ankarberg Johansson if she considers that she and the government have presented a budget that corresponds to the regions' needs.

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

Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

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

Sveriges Kommuner och Regioner has not defined the need, but rather people have spoken about how much of a deficit they are running with. What was demanded was a statement, and the government has provided that.

There is an absurdity in that one, as a directly elected regional politician with taxing rights, can lay a budget and then assume that the state will step in and compensate for the difference if revenues and expenditures do not balance. This is also not what SKR has requested; they have not requested that we compensate for everything.

It has however been necessary, the government believes, to step in and support all regions. We have done so with a special sector grant. In total, it is 16 billion that goes to healthcare. These are necessary funds in order to manage the situation.

In Region Skåne, the regional management has also chosen to use all the tools available. If one has a surplus from before, those funds can be used to smooth out the economy. One can even budget for a deficit when there are temporary costs affected by inflation, and right now it is inflation that is affecting the pension costs.

This is what is done in Region Skåne. It is, however, unclear whether the Social Democrats will support it or instead want to have savings.

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Mona Olin (SD)

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

During the summer, two vaccines against RS virus were approved for persons from 60 years. Now, the Public Health Agency recommends vaccination to persons who are 75 years or older. The agency has investigated the disease burden and seen an increased risk for serious RS infection leading to hospital care or death among persons from 70 years. The recommendation also applies to persons who are 60-plus and have certain chronic diseases.

It is a problem that elderly people who are recommended to get vaccinated for various conditions do not feel that they are being informed about exactly this. There is an ongoing investigation into this issue which is to be reported on January 19, 2024.

The Sweden Democrats view a national vaccination register for the elderly positively. How does the Minister view a national vaccination program for the elderly to ensure their well-being?

(TALMANNEN: I have been informed that Minister for Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed from Kristdemokraterna will answer the question.)

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! What is more beautiful in the world than effective vaccines in healthcare? It is extremely positive that a vaccine against the RS virus has finally arrived. The Public Health Agency has conducted an investigation and, based on that, produced a recommendation. Now it is up to the regions to make decisions on this, but the recommendation provides the opportunity to make decisions for good and equal health as well as an equivalent assessment in the regions. This is fundamentally very good.

We will have to return to the question of national vaccination programs once the investigation, led by Anders Tegnell, has submitted its proposals and made its assessments of the need for specific vaccination programs for certain groups in the adult population, such as elderly people. It is clear that this is an exciting area that we certainly have reason to return to.

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Malin Höglund (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed.

Why do we feel so bad when we have it so good? Access to BUP should not have to be a lottery and should not depend on which region you live in, how close to a hospital you live, or how many people are admitted that day.

Do everyone need to seek help from BUP, or can it be managed through school health care?

My question is: How can access to BUP be ensured so that the children and young people who are in need of care receive care within a reasonable time?

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

Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Malin Höglund for the question.

It is deeply unsatisfactory with both the long waiting times and the large differences in waiting times between the regions. Therefore, the government is investing a lot of money in shortening the queues. The government also sets requirements for the regions to improve. It is about the regions becoming better both when it comes to the first visit and when it comes to treatment and investigation.

I also believe that it is absolutely necessary for the regions to change their way of working and ensure that they meet more people. The regions that have done this have been able to shorten the queues and have also, in many cases, been able to obtain better assessments. It is a fundamental prerequisite for managing this.

As the questioner was present, we will however not be able to treat away all mental ill-health. We must do more in school health care. We must also do as some civil society organizations are doing now. Two parishes in the Church of Sweden in Stockholm are opening, together with the Tim Bergling Foundation, a conversation clinic to tell children and young people: The adult world is here! We are listening to you!

It is also about what responsibility each and every one of us can take. Is there any youth in our vicinity that we can take a little extra responsibility for?

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Eva Lindh (S)

Mr. Speaker! Violence is escalating in Sweden. Every day there are new shootings and new explosions. One truly feels for those who are affected. I also know how it feels.

Last Tuesday, a powerful explosion occurred in Linköping. Even four years ago, a very powerful explosion occurred. I remember the feeling of the pressure wave hitting one, the sound of the explosion, the sound of windows shattering, and the worry about how one's own children have been affected when the windows have fallen down over them.

This spreads anxiety, fear and insecurity. It is a crisis now. It should be enough. We should gather.

My question to Minister for Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed is: Should we not unite now - together - to tackle this and address the escalating violence?

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Socialministern Jakob Forssmed (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I want to extend a special thanks to Eva Lindh for accounting for this in her question in this way. This is something we need to remind ourselves of so that we do not become desensitized to this terrible situation that affects residential areas and that affects individuals and families in a profound way in their lives. It strips away their freedom and security from their bodies, and it is completely unacceptable.

It is clear that all good forces must be gathered to do precisely everything that can be done regarding this.

It is not the time to point fingers now. Many of the measures that we are now planning should have been taken a long time ago, but from the government's side, we will do exactly everything we can. It is good if there is broad support around this. We also, of course, welcome further thoughts and ideas on what can be done here and now. Everything needs to be on the table in this situation.

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Mattias Eriksson Falk (SD)

Mr. Speaker! During the past week, we received notification from the county administrative boards regarding next year's license hunt for wolves - 36 wolves are to be shot. Many people felt despair and hopelessness when next year's quota was announced, and the reactions have been numerous.

There are approximately 400 wolves in Sweden today. The Sweden Democrats therefore consider it unfortunate that the authorities have decided on such a low quota for licensed wolf hunting despite the level of 170-270 wolves in Sweden established by the Riksdag.

To uphold democracy, it is obvious that the authorities' decisions must be in line with the decisions made by the Riksdag. I therefore want to ask the Minister for Rural Affairs what the government is doing to ensure that the wolf licensing hunt in 2025 is in line with the Riksdag's decision.

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Landsbygdsministern Peter Kullgren (KD)

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

The Government is sharpening the assignment that the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has had to answer how the reference value can lie in the lower part of the interval that the Riksdag has decided on, namely 170-270 wolves. Just so that it can have an effect on the hunt in 2025, the Government has also moved forward this assignment so that it is to be reported by 30 June 2024.

As I said before, I can understand the frustration. I can understand the questioning when both the Riksdag and the government have expressed themselves so clearly. We in this chamber know, however, how this works. This assignment could have been laid out significantly earlier – then the situation would have been different. Previous governments could have done it.

We have submitted this as quickly as we could. We have also reduced the time so that it can have an effect by 2025.

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Helena Bouveng (M)

Mr. Speaker! Despite Sweden being one of the world's most digitized countries, the interest in investments in cybersecurity was low on the previous government's priority list. It was surprising to say the least, as the threat landscape has been and continues to be very high. We saw a clear example of this when Kalix municipality was subjected to a hacker attack in December 2021, which resulted in home care and home nursing being unable to access their important systems with medication lists, staff schedules, and so on. This vulnerability could have led to human suffering and cost Kalix municipality 2.5 million kronor. This is one example of many in our cybersecurity debt.

Therefore, I want to ask Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin: What has the government done to strengthen cybersecurity? How does the Minister intend to pay off the cybersecurity debt that the previous government accumulated?

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Statsrådet Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Helena Bouveng for a very pertinent question. Helena Bouveng points out that today's society is exposed to entirely new vulnerabilities due to the cross-sectoral threat landscape created in the cyber domain against civil infrastructure and critical societal activities. Just as Helena Bouveng is touching upon, this is an issue that for a long time has not had sufficiently high priority. Sweden was digitized early, which means that today in many places we have an outdated infrastructure.

The government is now moving forward with a crackdown. In the budget for 2024, we are investing additional funds in MSB's work with cybersecurity and information security. We take a new step regarding the national cybersecurity center, and we introduce a long-awaited investment in a cyber campus to achieve better cooperation between academia, the business sector, and the state.

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Malin Larsson (S)

Mr. Speaker! On September 6 this year, Sweden's first case of African swine fever was confirmed. We are in a serious situation, and it is of the utmost importance that the infection does not spread further among wild boar or to our domestic pigs, which would have catastrophic consequences. Many are now helping in the affected area; among others, our hunters are making an enormous effort.

We Social Democrats presented a wild boar package during the previous term to bring the wild boar population into balance and to ensure that more wild boar meat would be served on our plates. It yielded results, and in recent years, the population has decreased by a third.

Now there are proposals to drastically reduce the population, and therefore I ask: How does Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren view the petition from LRF regarding reducing the wild boar population by 90 percent?

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Landsbygdsministern Peter Kullgren (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Malin Larsson for the question.

I will not, in this situation, enter into a numerical exercise regarding percentages concerning how large the wild boar population Sweden should have. But as the member says, the wild boar population has decreased, partly due to political measures. The government has also expanded the package, among other things so that hunters can sell wild boar meat. It is probably in the nature of most hunters that when the freezer is full, one stops shooting. But if the meat can be sold, the hunting may possibly increase. One also needs to look at the technical aids, for it is a complicated hunt.

We have come a bit, but is it possible to go further? I am currently conducting a dialogue with the department, and we will get back to you.

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Sofia Amloh (S)

Mr. Speaker! The SD government is plunging Sweden into a deep healthcare crisis when the regions receive too few resources. My home region, Sörmland, was the first yesterday to issue a mass warning to 700 people. Sörmland's Moderate regional board chairman pointed out the crisis and pleaded with his party representatives in the government, the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister, and the Christian Democrat regional council has done the same to State Secretary Ankarberg Johansson - but it turned out to be without result when the budget was presented last week.

Why is the SD government unable to prioritize the already very heavily pressured healthcare? This will have serious consequences for staff and patients.

Question Time

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Statsrådet Acko Ankarberg Johansson (KD)

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

It is really tough in the regions, and that is due to the pension agreement they have signed. The agreement is very good for the staff but is adjusted with KPI, and already this summer it was decided that it will be adjusted by 9.14 percent next year - this despite the fact that inflation is slowly going down, which shows that the government's policy of a restrained budget is having an effect. The regions are, however, forced to pay this cost for the entirety of next year, which burdens their finances. It is a temporary cost, but it needs to be managed.

The government's budget for healthcare is over 16 billion, so to claim that no money is coming is directly wrong. Of these 16 billion, we chose to allocate a specific sector grant of 3 billion that healthcare can use directly and generally in its operations, and I understand that it needs to be used to pay pension costs. The directly elected regional politicians with taxing rights need this support so that they can manage their budget. It is tough in Sörmland and in many other places. But wise politicians find a good balance by using early money, budgeting for deficits, and using the government's money so that it still works reasonably well next year in accordance with the law.

The question period was hereby concluded.

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