Question Time

TALMANNEN

I would like to welcome the ministers. Questions today will be answered by Minister for Energy and Business Ebba Busch, Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer, Minister Niklas Wykman, and Minister Andreas Carlson.

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/her performance of duties. The question shall therefore not concern, for example, conditions within political parties. Minister for Energy and Business Ebba Busch answers both general political questions and questions within her own area of responsibility.

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Gunilla Svantorp (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to Minister Carlson, whom I have long wanted to ask questions about regarding the serious situation on the E22 on January 3-4. A truck got stuck, and approximately a thousand vehicles became trapped. The last car was towed away after 38 hours. Very many people were stuck in the cars. There was a great deal of anxiety, hunger, thirst, and certainly also a good deal of anger among those who were stuck there.

One can have a thousand questions about what happened, not least regarding the responsibility and the government's responsibility in a crisis situation. Politics is always responsible for everything. The government governs the realm.

In an interpellation debate regarding the E22 on Tuesday, in which Minister Bohlin participated, he said that residents should always perceive that crises are characterized by decisiveness, a sense of responsibility, and a will to do the right thing. I wonder if the Minister considers that the government has done so.

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the question and the commitment.

The Speaker and I have since the incident met here in the chamber in interpellation debates also on other issues. Space to talk about this has definitely existed.

Let me say the obvious: The incident on the E22 as a result of the snowstorm during the first week of January is of the utmost importance to follow up on so that something similar does not occur again. That is what I already said at the time of the incident. It has also been followed up at a meeting that State Secretary Carl-Oskar Bohlin has held with responsible authorities. And the County Administrative Board of Skåne has initiated an independent investigation of this to draw lessons, clarify, and establish responsibility.

The government acts through the authorities that are responsible for the operational work. That is the administrative model we have in Sweden. One can, of course, expect that coordination and a sense of responsibility characterize the work that is done during a crisis.

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Gunilla Svantorp (S)

Mr. Speaker! Minister! One can also activate a crisis management team. And there is a group of state secretaries that can be activated in the event of serious incidents. No one knows if that group was activated or if the crisis management team was activated at all in connection with this. That is what I wonder.

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I did not quite understand the question.

The government is, of course, always ready to act. The important thing to point out here is that it is the responsible authorities that must ensure that accessibility is secured, and when a situation arises that requires the rescue services' operations and also police interventions, the coordination must function very well.

This is to be reviewed by an independent investigator, which the County Administrative Board of Skåne has taken the initiative for.

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Jimmy Ståhl (SD)

Mr. Speaker! According to train statistics, over 11,000 train departures have been cancelled during December 2023 and January 2024. Nearly 1,900 of them have SJ as the operator. These disruptions have affected thousands of passengers across the country. Winter is not over yet, there is still a bit left. SJ nevertheless expects that the problems with cancelled trains and reduced traffic will continue well into the spring.

I guess that all of us in the chamber and the government agree and are convinced that well-functioning and reliable transport systems and infrastructure are crucial for Sweden's economic and industrial development as well as for the citizens' well-being.

These extensive disruptions do not only have short-term consequences but can also affect the overall confidence in rail traffic among citizens and the business community. How does the Minister intend to act to prevent similar incidents in the future?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for an important question, Jimmy Ståhl!

No one should be surprised that we in Sweden have winter conditions at this time of year. My expectations for train operators are very high. One must be able to operate trains in conditions with winter conditions on the Swedish railway.

Behind what the questioner raises lie other major problems that have been allowed to grow for far too long. A maintenance debt has been pushed forward and shoved along like a snowball that has been allowed to grow. It is, of course, a large part of the problem with our railway infrastructure.

I think the situation is unsatisfactory. Action is required. Since day one, the Government has pointed out that the maintenance of the railway and the road network needs to be prioritized. This also applies, of course, to managing the winter conditions.

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Jimmy Ståhl (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Just as the Minister points out, maintenance is of the utmost importance. The Minister answered that indirectly. But I still ask whether this is something that the Minister will prioritize moving forward.

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! The short answer is: Yes.

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Gudrun Nordborg (V)

Mr. Speaker! I would like to direct my question to Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer. It concerns conditional release.

In the Tidö Agreement, it states that they want to limit and in principle exclude conditional release as a general rule. At the same time, investigations are currently underway on how to work more preventatively against crime. I wonder if this won't become somewhat counterproductive, if one sees it in its context.

I have experience working as a supervisor. A trigger to behave within the correctional system, participate in treatment programs, prepare for release and not reoffend was precisely the possibility of obtaining the benefit of parole.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the question, Gudrun Nordborg!

It is quite true that an ambitious work is now taking place to change the penal code. The focus is on the crime victim's restitution and on the surrounding society's need for protection against serious crime. That work also includes the issue of parole. I would say that it is perhaps one of the most pressing elements in the review.

We do not want it to be the case, as it is today, that there is automatic conditional release. The main rule is that one is released after having served two-thirds of the sentence, and in the case of the correctional services, for example, the risk of recidivism must not be weighed in.

In recent times, some eye-catching cases have been discussed, for example regarding sexual offenses. Persons who have committed several serious sexual offenses and have been assessed to have a very high risk of recidivism have nevertheless been released on parole. We want to reverse the rule. A person shall be released on parole if they have behaved well and it is otherwise appropriate, otherwise not.

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Gudrun Nordborg (V)

Mr. Speaker! I thank you for the answer. I have full respect for the fact that one wants to prioritize crime victims. I want to do that myself. But something that I believe is included when one has received a sentence is that it is meaningful that one should hopefully be able to emerge as a changed person. This applies in particular when it concerns violence against women and children as well as sexual offenses. In Sweden, we have no pressure; one does not have to undergo a treatment. But if one receives an incentive to do this, I believe that very much could be gained.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! The punishment must reflect the seriousness of the crime in a better way. The starting point cannot be that one should be released earlier than what the sentence says. We want to turn the tables. Of course, it is so that the one who truly behaves, who participates in treatment programs and who otherwise participates in recidivism prevention work in prison shall be able to take that into account in a review of parole. But it cannot be as it is today, that in practice one is released automatically after two-thirds of the time and that the risk of recidivism is not even allowed to be weighed in the assessment.

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Jonny Cato (C)

Mr. Speaker! Russia's terrible war against Ukraine continues. Sweden's support needs to increase on all levels. While we continue to support Ukraine in Ukraine, we also need to become significantly better at supporting Ukrainians who are in Sweden. The government has presented a couple of good proposals, including regarding population registration. But the situation here and now is acute. For many Ukrainians, the situation is incredibly vulnerable. 71 kronor is nothing to live on. For those fighting at the front in Ukraine, this creates great stress. Therefore, I want to ask the Vice Prime Minister if the government can consider changing its mind and raising the daily allowance for the Ukrainian refugees.

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Mr. Speaker! The Government fully shares the view that this is a terribly heavy situation for many Ukrainians who remain in Ukraine and are still fighting for their freedom and their right to self-determination but, in doing so, also for all of Europe's freedom and fundamental right to self-determination.

We also see the tough situation that many Ukrainians have in Sweden. Therefore, we are now reviewing whether there is anything else that can be done to increase the establishment and integration into Swedish society for newly arrived Ukrainians, such as facilitating a good schooling for families who have children and facilitating the opportunity to enter the labor market and participate in Swedish society during the time they are here. Housing is, however, not a part that is now being reviewed specifically in this regard.

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Jonny Cato (C)

Mr. Speaker! It is almost impossible to survive on 71 kronor when one has to feed bellies, provide clothes for the children, and so on. It is good that the government is to review and investigate this, but it will take time. The situation here and now is acute. This is testified to, among others, by many aid organizations.

My follow-up question is whether the government can consider taking other urgent measures to help the Ukrainian refugees here and now.

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Member Jonny Cato for the question. The Government has listened to the instances and parts of society, including civil society, that work closely with newly arrived Ukrainians. Many of them also emphasize the need for better functioning healthcare and better interventions from Arbetsförmedlingen. The Government is actively looking into how to support this so that more people can have a good time in Sweden and then be able to return strengthened to rebuild Ukraine.

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Linus Lakso (MP)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to Minister Andreas Carlson. A previous questioner has already described the chaos prevailing on the Swedish railway. I believe we are in complete agreement that we must catch up on maintenance. But we must also have the opportunity to invest in new railway at the same time. In that regard, I welcome that the Christian Democrats have stood behind what we have advocated previously: that we must review how we finance this, for example through an investment budget and through loan financing. Is this something you have gotten the other government parties on board with? Are you in agreement within the government on this?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Linus Lakso very much for the question. In my answer, I will explain how the process will proceed when we prepare the bill that will be submitted to the Riksdag later this autumn.

We received the orientation basis from Trafikverket just over two weeks ago. Trafikverket had been commissioned to look into the possibility of alternative financing. The orientation basis has now been sent out for consultation. We will gather views from various actors, not least the regions across the country. In parallel with this, the parties in the government and the cooperation party to the government will negotiate on basic principles and on the orientation for the bill that will be laid before the Riksdag. I do not want to anticipate that process. But given the assignments we have already given to Trafikverket to look at alternative financing, not least regarding investments that we see are required in the northern parts of the country but which are obviously needed in the whole country, it will be a matter for continued discussion.

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Linus Lakso (MP)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much for the answer. That sounds extremely interesting. We will follow that process.

I would like to ask a follow-up question, also in light of what the previous questioner said. There is a chaos here and now on the Swedish railway. Without pointing fingers here and there, I would like the Minister to elaborate on the answer. How do we get control of the situation? It is thousands of people who are stranded on platforms every day. We need to get control of this quickly. I would like to hear about some more concrete measures that will be taken in the near future to rectify the problems.

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! First, I would like to welcome that way of looking at this very serious issue for Sweden. One should not point fingers here or there. There are good reasons for self-criticism for everyone in this chamber considering how this has been handled previously.

What the government has done is to point out that maintenance needs to be prioritized. New investments are also required, but they need to occur in a way that they do not displace necessary investments in maintenance. Then, the maintenance work also needs to be sharpened. It is not just about more money, but we also need to get more maintenance for the money.

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Maria Stockhaus (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question also goes to Minister Andreas Carlson.

Almost ten years ago, the then Minister for Infrastructure, Anna Johansson, received an investigation written by Gunnar Alexandersson. He listed a number of proposals on how more maintenance could be achieved. It concerned system support, methods and ways of working for planning and maintenance, a national maintenance plan based on the condition of the facilities, and so on.

We can observe that the previous government received the investigation and sent it out for consultation, but it then disappeared into a black hole. We see the result; it has been raised by other questioners. People are standing and freezing on the platform. There are constant switching errors and interruptions. We simply have a railway that no one trusts and a maintenance debt of upwards of 130 billion.

How does the Minister view the fact that there were proposals submitted as early as 2014 but that they were ignored? And above all: What does the Minister for Infrastructure want to do to reduce the maintenance debt?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Maria Stockhaus is here on a concrete issue that several have raised in the chamber. To link to the previous questioner, Member Lakso, there are, as I said, good reasons for self-criticism for all sides of Swedish politics. This is an example of that. There were concrete proposals ten years ago. If one had proceeded with them, they would have, in several parts, remedied the situation that we have to handle today. This, I think, calls for self-criticism and reflection but also a high pace in the work of catching up with the maintenance. The maintenance need has been allowed to grow like a snowball one pushes. We now have on the railway side a maintenance debt that Trafikverket estimates at 91 billion kronor.

We have tasked Trafikverket with strengthening the work on railway maintenance, increasing its ordering capacity, collaborating with maintenance contractors, and ensuring that new technology and new innovations are used. The assignment is to be partially reported now in February.

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Maria Stockhaus (M)

Mr. Speaker! When the previous plan was adopted by the government at that time, we in the opposition were, of course, critical of it.

Now the Swedish National Audit Office agrees with the criticism. The report that arrived before Christmas is probably among the worst I have read from the Swedish National Audit Office. One speaks of how, due to the previous government's management, we have poorer accessibility across the entire country and more deaths.

Furthermore, Trafikverket were clear that the status of the facilities was worse at the end of the period.

What does the work look like moving forward with new national plans to avoid similar criticism?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Above all, it is not about avoiding similar criticism, but about making use of the expertise that exists.

We shall not allocate less money than is required to maintain the basic functions of the facility, which the Swedish National Audit Office criticized the previous government for. It was very sharp criticism, and we have, of course, taken this into account when we have said that we need to prioritize maintenance and that we are using the money in an even more efficient way to get more maintenance for the money.

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Ingemar Kihlström (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I would like to direct my question to Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer.

The government has, during its first year, focused on implementing measures to meet the crime that in various ways affects ordinary people's everyday lives. We must meet the alarming development in every way, and necessary changes with stricter laws must continue.

The development regarding crime also needs to be met with additional measures that counteract new recruitment, primarily of young people, but also provide an opportunity to break a criminal life choice and thereby counteract recidivism.

Society's efforts need to be coordinated to achieve results in these areas. As a Christian Democrat, I also see that civil society constitutes an important force that can assist in this work.

What measures could be relevant to break new recruitment and counter recidivism? What role does the Minister see civil society having in this important work?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Ingemar Kihlström, for an extraordinarily important question!

This morning, the government reached a decision on Sweden's very first national strategy against organized crime. It naturally contains several important parts, not least the central part concerning breaking the recruitment of children and young people into the criminal networks.

We also announced that in the near future we will send a special communication to the Riksdag aimed at social preventive measures, that is to say, everything that precedes the justice system's interventions in this area.

If I am to point out some parts, we know thanks to unambiguous research that the family and the school are completely central to being able to break patterns early. I am very proud that in our budget we invest record-breaking amounts - 400 million, I want to remember - on family support. We link it to other legislation in my area that raises the requirements and expectations for parents, for example when it concerns crime committed with the apartment as a base. We need both - both tougher requirements and support for everyone who wants to do the right thing.

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Ingemar Kihlström (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Of those detained, 70 percent have different drug problems. Previously, the correctional services had a method, the twelve-step program, which is a treatment program for drug and alcohol abuse with good results. Another successful method for breaking a criminal lifestyle was the so-called monastery at Kumla. Both of these operations are now gone, primarily due to a lack of space.

Does the Minister for Justice see the use of measures similar to those I mentioned to break negative life choices? Can they become possible again now that we are working for more prison places?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! There is no doubt whatsoever that, in addition to the pressing objective of incarcerating more people for longer periods to achieve justice for crime victims and protect society against serious crime, the correctional services must do everything it can to help individuals who are incarcerated to emerge on the other side as better people. Treatment regarding drugs is an extraordinarily central part of that, as is vocational training and education. That mission remains firm. My hope and conviction is that we will be able to develop and strengthen that part of the operations in the expansion of the correctional services that is now finally before us.

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Martin Melin (L)

Mr. Speaker! I also have a question for the Minister of Justice. It concerns the fact that today it is mainly civil actors who intercept and shine a light on pedophiles online, that is, the men who seek contact with young girls and boys with the aim of getting them into sexual activities – not infrequently physical ones. Among the civil actors, we all know Dumpen.

I can think that it should be the police's task to do this. I am aware that the authorities must follow the laws and rules that exist regarding evidence provocation and crime provocation. The civilians must not. But I still think that it should be the police who do this job.

How does the government view this? Is it something that is being worked on?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Martin Melin for an extremely essential question. First, I want to state something that I am convinced everyone in here stands behind, namely that we can never accept sexual abuse of children and young people regardless of whether it occurs in the real world or in the digital environment. I also think that we should welcome that civil society wants to engage in these issues in a very concrete way.

With that said, I agree with Martin Melin that the justice system - police, prosecutors and others - must naturally be given more effective tools to be able to meet this problem. The Tidö Agreement states that expanded possibilities to use provocative measures shall be investigated, and we will shortly appoint an investigation which shall, among other things, be tasked to look at the conditions for expanding those possibilities. The purpose is to strengthen the authorities' ability, especially when it comes to covert surveillance and intelligence activities.

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Martin Melin (L)

Mr. Speaker! I am satisfied with that answer.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! I am pleased that Martin Melin is satisfied with the answer and convinced that with our joint efforts we will be able to significantly move the positions against the serious crime we have spoken about.

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Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)

Mr. Speaker! Many Swedish households were surprised by the Swedish Tax Agency's new interpretation regarding the green technology deduction for home batteries. One is no longer allowed to receive support for batteries for anything other than the self-produced electricity. This creates great uncertainty for Swedish households who want to invest in green energy and contribute to Sweden's energy supply.

Batteries can create many benefits for the electricity system, not only by storing the self-produced electricity but also, for example, by being able to charge it during the night and then discharge the energy when the load on the grid is at its highest.

The Swedish Tax Agency's new interpretation creates obstacles for households to use the full potential of batteries. It is a bit like receiving support for a stove but only being allowed to boil eggs on it, not cook an omelet.

The government has made it clear that it is electrification that will enable us to reach our climate goals. I would like to hear what measures Ebba Busch intends to take to ensure that Swedish households can continue to invest in home batteries.

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Mr. Speaker! It is quite true that an authority has made an interpretation here, and the government does not interfere in that. But the government's fundamental position is that it needs to become easier to do the right thing. The energy choices one makes at home when, for example, one installs solar cells and creates storage possibilities in micro-systems with batteries in one's own house are something that we wish to promote.

If we can get broad support in the chamber for the energy policy direction proposal, we will also have a system that clearly states that it is the characteristics, cohesion, and stability that should be prioritized. I also expect that this can have repercussions for our tax policy moving forward.

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Angelica Lundberg (SD)

Mr. Speaker! When someone who has been married or in a cohabitation is to separate, a division of property must be made. It is a process that today is not completely fair.

If the parties do not reach an agreement, the district court can appoint a partition administrator. This is paid for by the parties themselves, and the cost is usually shared equally. The administrator usually wants some advance payment. A partition can cost as much as 100,000 kronor or more.

The Social Democrats removed the legal protection. The support that the district court can provide is not sufficient. This obviously affects the economically weaker party, who may be forced to enter into a settlement that is not fair solely because he or she cannot afford to continue the litigation.

I know that the government is working on this issue. But time is passing, and the measures are conspicuous by their absence. I would therefore like to ask the Minister for Justice: When can we have a fair division process in place?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Angelica Lundberg, for the very pressing question!

We have had the pleasure of discussing the issue many times here in the chamber during my first year in this role and also together with the Committee on Civil Affairs as recently as before Christmas.

I want to acknowledge that commitment by saying that we will now finally ensure that there is a serious process regarding the issues by appointing an inquiry during this year that takes a full grip on the division issues.

It concerns in particular the situations that Angelica Lundberg points out, namely where the weaker party in a divorce can end up in a very vulnerable situation. It is about the economic conditions and the compensation rules surrounding the division of property process.

Another question has concerned the possibility of requesting a postponement and ensuring that the division process is dragged out to such an extent that time itself becomes a means of pressure on the weaker party.

These questions have been simmering in the debate for a very long time. Now we are finally going to make sure to do something about it. We will return during the course of the spring with fine, clear and straight directives in the area.

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Mikael Larsson (C)

Mr. Speaker! The railway between Borås and Göteborg is, like many other railways around the country, in very poor condition. Numerous investigations have been carried out during recent years regarding this specific section.

Right now, the work has been paused, but the government has stated that it should not affect the start of construction of a new railway. The mission lately has been to find a broad consensus with as many as possible on how a new railway between Borås and Göteborg should run.

Now, Västra Götalandsregionen, together with the municipalities, has a broad consensus on exactly this route. The need for a new railway is acute and cannot wait. People have waited long enough. My question to Minister Andreas Carlson therefore is: Will the government ensure that the start of construction of a new railway between Borås and Göteborg is not delayed?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much, Mikael Larsson, for a very relevant question!

When the government cancelled the plans for the main lines for high-speed trains, we tasked Trafikverket to look at precisely the Göteborg-Borås section and what can be done to increase work commuting and strengthen freight traffic in the region. It came back with a number of proposals.

In that process, an initiative came from the region. Trafikverket has now received notice that it can begin the work again since the pause was lifted with the government's decision. That proposal can now be taken into consideration, and in that case, broad consensus applies.

If one proceeds with a proposal where everyone agrees that one can consider something that delays the start of construction, which some point out with the initiatives that have come from the region, I will not put any prestige into that. On the other hand, it is very important that it is kept within the framework and allocation of funds that exists according to the proposals that have been on the table.

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Amanda Lind (MP)

Mr. Speaker! As members of Parliament, many of us have during the past month visited schools in our constituencies. Many parties are also trying to help by receiving prospective students at our party offices.

In those conversations, it is clear that many young people in upper secondary school and high school are worried about the increased crime in society. To counter it, we need to work on several fronts simultaneously.

An investigation is currently underway regarding tightening the penalties for youths who commit crimes. Here, children's rights organizations have expressed criticism regarding the direction of the investigation, where the important preventive work is missing.

There are examples from Denmark with important success projects such as Aktive Drenge where young boys are identified early, followed up with continuously, and where multiple actors collaborate around the young person and provide individualized support. It requires both coordination and sufficient resources.

My question to the Minister of Justice is, on behalf of the many students we meet: How is the government working to implement the substantial reinforcements required for the preventive work?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Amanda Lind, for the opportunity to discuss these important issues!

I want to say first and foremost that it is very important to replace the sanctions that affect children and young people aged 15-18 with prison sentences for a number of different reasons. Very important reasons are precisely social reasons.

The investigator also points out that those who have looked at youth prisons. Today's sentences do not help young people to exit criminality. If, on the other hand, they are transferred to the correctional services, which have completely different experience and completely different resources, the conditions for breaking the pattern for those who have truly fallen into crime will also be significantly improved. We also thereby ease the pressure on the rest of the system that can work with the social interventions for all other children and young people.

I will point out a number of very concrete things. It is about removing secrecy barriers for cooperation. It is absolutely central. Now we are taking a large and broad approach to this. The social services shall be able to carry out intervention measures also without parents' consent in several cases. It is an incredibly important matter. It also applies, of course, to working with family and school.

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Jan Ericson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I have a question for the Minister for Financial Markets, Niklas Wykman.

Over the last ten years, household debt has increased. Taking out a loan to finance a home is, of course, perfectly reasonable. However, it is serious that loans for pure consumption have increased and that people are losing control over their debt.

Household debts at the Enforcement Authority have almost doubled during the last decade. This means major problems for both the individual and society. Instead of increased indebtedness for consumption, policy should stimulate increased savings.

Having one's own savings reduces dependence on society during unforeseen events and also provides people with increased security in harsh economic times. Previous governments did very little to change the situation despite recurring warnings from many sides. Today's government has signaled a completely different policy.

I would like the Minister for Finance to briefly describe the government's strategy for how we reduce over-indebtedness and instead stimulate increased savings.

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Statsrådet Niklas Wykman (M)

Mr. Speaker! The Government has proposed a trend-breaking policy in this area. We have presented proposals that will lower taxes and increase the incentives to save. We have presented a proposal that will ensure that a stop is put to tax-subsidizing different types of consumption loans that contribute to the increased indebtedness.

We have also sent a mandate to the Finansinspektionen to respond on how it views the mortgage ceiling in light of this. When the mortgage ceiling was introduced, there were those who argued that it would increase unsecured lending where there is no collateral.

We have also seen changed consumption patterns online where people can buy on credit and installments and are constantly met with those types of offers. In addition, we have had a very strong rate of price increases in society.

Overall, this has put on pressure. We are now leaning towards this. More can be expected here.

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Christian Carlsson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! It is secure families that lay the foundation for a secure society. But far from all women and children are given the opportunity to grow up and live in a secure family. It is thousands of women who every year seek protection from the women's shelters.

We must do more to counter men's violence against women and strengthen the support for the women who are victims of violence. That support must be long-term. We Christian Democrats have therefore proposed home visitation bans for the perpetrators to a greater extent and also expanded contact bans to cover entire municipalities. This shall occur in combination with ankle bracelets and safety packages with alarms and pepper spray for the threatened women.

My question is: What measures is the government taking in this area? The question is directed to Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Christian Carlsson, for raising these important issues in today's debate!

It is clear that the government is doing a lot in this area. Let us begin with the measures that Christian Carlsson outlines: extended restraining orders and ensuring that it is the person who commits the assault who is forced to leave the apartment and not the crime victim. In those types of measures, we have shifted into the highest gear to ensure that there are changes that truly stand up for the crime victim's, typically the woman's, interests in these situations.

Let me also say that it is extraordinarily important to support civil society organizations in this area, because we know that these organizations, women's shelters and others, sometimes reach out in a different way than the public sector can. The interaction is extraordinarily important.

Furthermore, I think it is important to tighten the penalties not only for those who engage in criminal gang activities but also for the men who hit women. We will return with many well-targeted and well-motivated sentence increases.

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Azadeh Rojhan (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Niklas Wykman.

According to the figures from the Gambling Inspectorate, 75 percent of Swedes have gambled money at some point during the last year. In terms of money, it is 3,281 kronor that people over 18 years old in our country have gambled away - per person. It is a frightening figure, but even more frightening is the figure that says that 50 percent of the turnover on the gambling market comes from 4 percent of the players.

We know at the same time that gambling among young adults is increasing, and it is also within this group that gambling addiction is increasing. Gambling addiction can today go very far before it manages to be detected, and many of these young adults manage to incur large debts.

My question to the Minister is: How does the government view investigating a limit of 25 years instead of 18 years for the marketing of gambling in accordance with what Spelinspektionen proposes?

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Statsrådet Niklas Wykman (M)

Mr. Speaker! Just as is mentioned in the question, a proposal has been submitted to review the age limit for direct marketing. It is a proposal that is now being looked at in the Government Offices.

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Tobias Andersson (SD)

Mr. Speaker! To manage weather-dependent energy sources, it is required that there is power production that is predictable, and finally, there is a political majority that understands this. It understands the need for base load, capacity, and security of supply, which is seen, not least, in the solid work being done in the nuclear power area.

But at the same time, we know that the transition is moving fast and that effect is needed even before the first reactor is connected to the grid. If we want to contribute with the capabilities that are demanded in light of the goals for security of supply that will soon reach the Riksdag, gas power is what we can expand in the near term. Gas turbines are already produced in Sweden and can today be powered by something other than natural gas.

I would therefore like to ask the Minister for Energy and Business what role she believes gas power will play in Sweden in the near future.

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I want to start by answering the question directly: It remains to be seen.

Tobias Andersson is in the highest degree an active part of the reorganization of energy policy that is now taking place in Sweden, where we look more at what the system needs in order to ultimately be able to deliver what we all expect: enough electricity where it is needed, when it is needed, and at a sensible price. This ensures that people can plan their lives and pay their bills and that companies can make the large investments that are needed for growth but also to manage the green transition.

Then the question is: Is there a will to release even more power production, where gas turbines could be a more active part moving forward in anticipation of more storage capacity and, above all, more of the base load that we know is needed? There is an openness, but it remains to be seen what happens moving forward here in the chamber during the spring.

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Anders Ådahl (C)

Mr. Speaker! Since 1996, we have had a deregulated electricity market, where it is the market actors who make investments in new electricity production and where customers pay an electricity price. Politics has set up rules for, for example, the security of supply of the electricity system, which is very important, and the market has responded to that. It has worked very, very well.

The government has now, however, taken a different path. They have decided to disrupt the market. There must be more nuclear power, whatever the cost may be! More and more reports, most recently from Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, testify to enormous costs for the state.

My simple question to Minister Busch is: What is the government's own assessment of the cost to the state and the taxpayers of forcing in a technology that is already mature instead of letting the market handle the investments?

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Mr. Speaker! My question back to the chamber is: Do we really think it has worked particularly well so far? I do not share that view at all.

Listen to the municipalities! Listen to the municipal councilors of blue, of red, and of green, who have been forced to say no to business establishment on business establishment! Listen to the pensioners who received electricity bills that were larger than their entire pension! Listen to the families with children who have been forced to say: There will be no vacation. There won't even be a staycation with these high electricity prices!

It has not worked when the market has been distorted and we have said that we should prioritize a certain type of power instead of saying: These characteristics were needed in the electricity system. Now we are changing this. Now we say that physics shall precede the ideological deadlocks of politics. If one has the characteristics that were needed, one should be prioritized, and base load is necessary.

My perception as Minister for Energy is that Sweden cannot afford not to pave the way for more baseload power, regardless of in what form it comes. We will return to the exact amount for this.

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Johanna Rantsi (M)

Mr. Speaker! Approximately 90 percent of everything we import and export to and from Sweden has at some point in its shipping chain passed via maritime transport. It shows how dependent we are on precisely maritime transport.

Today, Swedish shipping companies own approximately 400 ships, but not even 100 of these sail under the Swedish flag. It is serious, not least from a preparedness perspective. It is also an example of the poor maritime policy that has been pursued in recent years. But with a new government in place, a new maritime policy also follows – a policy that sees the value of Swedish shipping.

As recently as a few weeks ago, Minister Carlson received a long-awaited investigation on how we can strengthen Swedish shipping's competitiveness.

Mr. Speaker! I would therefore like to take this opportunity to ask Minister Andreas Carlson how he intends to continue working to improve the conditions for Swedish shipping.

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Johanna Rantsi is truly putting her finger on a very pressing issue. The investigation whose proposal we received, we appointed early and with a short investigation period, precisely because of how pressing it is to strengthen the competitiveness of shipping in Sweden. The ambition is clear from the government, and my ambition is very clear: We shall increase the flagging of Swedish ships. It is even more important, Mr. Speaker, in a security policy situation where the control over the Swedish merchant fleet, which is largely flagged abroad, needs to increase.

We have announced that we will prepare the proposals at a high tempo. It concerns the stamp duty and a review of the tonnage tax. We have announced that we will develop and process a proposal on a bareboat register. We are keen to increase the supply of competence in Swedish shipping. We have also, for the first time, included shipping from the beginning in the assignment to Trafikverket in the long-term national transport infrastructure planning.

Mr. Speaker! So much is happening in the field of shipping, and much more will happen. And time is short.

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Torsten Elofsson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer.

The Courts Administration pays millions of kronor every year in rent for the Södertälje District Court's premises. Now, information has emerged suggesting that the property owner has links to organized crime and is part of a larger investigation into economic crime. It is said that no one has been convicted in the investigation, but indictments are pending. The information is perceived as very troubling.

The government has the ambition to make, and is making, extensive efforts against gang crime and organized crime. It was mentioned here earlier by the Minister for Justice that we now also have a national strategy against organized crime.

My question is therefore: What can be done to prevent and hinder criminals from acquiring properties in general, but above all properties that house activities within the justice system or other objects that may be sensitive in terms of security?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Torsten Elofsson, for this important issue!

Let me start with the general. It is surprising to see, when you go into depth, how easy it is to use properties and property transactions as tools for everything from money laundering to other criminal activities. We are tightening up across the board, I was about to say. Just take something as simple as the fact that one does not need to provide a personal identity number or an organization number when acquiring a property! We are now going to change that.

When it comes to security-sensitive infrastructure, I do not think it is realistic that everything should always be state-owned. On the other hand, I am completely clear that we must create entirely different conditions to be able to intervene against unserious property owners.

A government investigation is currently underway with additional directives from this government on the possibilities of using the state's right of first refusal, for example, when it concerns safeguarding internal security. But I also believe that a different view on procurement rules, supervision, and licensing is required in these types of situations.

What has been brought to the fore in Södertälje is absolutely terrible and must be taken most seriously.

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Markus Kallifatides (S)

Mr. Speaker! It is a crisis for housing construction in our country. The number of new apartments started has decreased by two-thirds since 2022. Layoffs and bankruptcies are looming. 8,000 construction workers are being laid off right now. The year 2024 looks set to be a very tough year for very many in our society.

We Social Democrats have for a year and a half warned that the passivity from politics is dragging down the Swedish economy here and now and threatening long-term development. The dynamics of the labor market and the economy are being hindered. The housing social problems are worsening. Student housing is lacking. Every third child in multi-family dwellings lives in cramped conditions.

Which measure does Housing Minister Andreas Carlson consider to be the most important that the government has implemented to meet this acute crisis in housing construction?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the question, Markus Kallifatides!

The big problem with the housing market is that there is no button to press, no measure to take, and then the problem is solved. This is a problem that has built up over a very long time. Structural problems have been allowed to hinder the development and functionality of the housing market for a very long time. The government is now tackling this step by step.

I understand that Markus Kallifatides has been busy over the last year and a half. But his own party sat in government for eight years with low interest rates and an economic boom. Despite that, construction in Sweden did not reach what Boverket said needed to be built in Sweden in any single one of those years.

I thank you for the expectations for the government that now has the confidence, but to believe that we could solve all the problems that the own party failed to solve in eight years with a boom and low interest rates in one and a half years is not quite appropriate in this debate, Mr. Speaker.

(Applause)

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Eric Westroth (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Financial Markets, Niklas Wykman.

In times like these, when many households must pinch pennies to make the budget stretch, Swedish banks are simultaneously showing large profits. Such large profits may seem distasteful in times like these. Parties on the left side have also eagerly put forward proposals to tax these excess profits, even though it is ultimately the banks' customers who will have to pay.

Here one can wonder if the competition on the Swedish banking market actually works. Is it perhaps too complicated to change banks?

Previously, for example, it was impossible to keep one's old phone number when changing operators. Only after the legislator put their foot down in 1999 and decided that one should be able to take their phone number between different operators did this become possible. In the same way, a banking engagement should reasonably be able to be done with a few keystrokes. This is, however, likely nothing that the banks will propose on their own initiative.

Therefore, I want to ask the Minister for Finance if the government has any plans to review the legislation to simplify bank mergers and thereby improve competition on the Swedish banking market.

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Statsrådet Niklas Wykman (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Eric Westroth, for this question in an important matter!

To begin with the bank tax, we already have such a tax in Sweden. It causes major problems, among others for Kommuninvest, which accounts for a very large share of the municipalities' borrowing for financing welfare investments. They are burdened by that tax. I note that, among others from the Socialdemokraterna, new such taxes have been proposed which would with great probability be passed directly on to households and lead to even higher housing costs in an already pressured situation. That is not a policy that the government stands behind.

It is also very difficult and complicated to get those types of taxes through. There is a great risk that it would result in a large budget hole, and it would be very irresponsible towards the public finances to do it in that way and spend money that is difficult to obtain.

When it comes to the possibility of changing banks, I have previously spoken about, for example, the possibility of receiving amortization statements digitally. I have now also noted that Finansinspektionen has acted. Work is therefore ongoing in the direction that the Member of Parliament is requesting.

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Mikael Damsgaard (M)

Mr. Speaker! The vulnerability of companies to crime has become an increasingly important issue for the business community. Not least is the trade in Swedish cities severely affected by shoplifting. According to Svensk Handel, 8.5 billion kronor are stolen per year in Swedish stores. This hits trade hard but also affects prices, service, and the range of goods. The thefts also affect the working environment for everyone who works within trade.

In contact with traders here in Västerås, I often encounter a sense of hopelessness and a feeling that the state has not taken this problem seriously enough. We receive many testimonies about how theft, despite strong evidence, does not lead to prosecution.

The feeling of hopelessness is also reflected in the fact that a third of the retailers do not care about reporting thefts to the police. The fact is that shop thefts have in practice often gone unpunished when the crimes are rarely investigated and the consequences, in the cases where they are handed down, are laughably low.

I therefore want to ask Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer what he intends to do to counter shoplifting.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Mikael Damsgaard, for a recurring and continuous attention to these important issues!

I shall highlight three things that the government intends to do.

The first thing is to review the so-called entry ban. It was introduced to support shop owners but is, in practice, quite complicated to implement. We want to turn the tables and, typically, give the shop owner the right to decide who should be allowed to stay in the shop and who should not. We also want to make it a criminal offense not to leave a shop or other premises if one has received an order to leave following a disturbance of order or a crime.

The second thing I want to highlight is the so-called quantity discount. Repeated shop thefts are not punished in practice, for the simple reason that the quantity discount means that only the first crimes are counted and not those that follow. Everyone understands that it is particularly problematic when it concerns just this type of snatching and theft.

The third and final point concerns the investigation of so-called everyday crimes. It is a clear mandate to the new police commissioner: the clearance rate regarding crimes close to citizens, not least against shop owners, must increase.

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Sanna Backeskog (S)

Mr. Speaker! Yesterday, the National Board of Health and Welfare released its latest report on investigations of injuries and deaths. In the report, one can see a serious connection between psychological and physical violence. There are several cases where only psychological violence occurred before a murder was committed. One also sees that the psychological violence is not taken seriously when a person seeks help against it.

There is a completed investigation on the government's desk regarding psychological abuse as a new criminal classification. The referral bodies are predominantly positive, but this is not included on the government's bill list for 2024.

The Minister of Justice, Member of Parliament Sofia Amloh and I had a very productive dialogue about this in the chamber in June last year. At that time, I felt that we agreed that it is important to be better able to ensure the safety and right to freedom of those subjected to violence. Not least, it is very important from a children's rights perspective.

I would like to ask Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer if the Riksdag can expect a government bill on criminal liability for psychological violence and, if so, when.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Sanna Backeskog, for giving us the opportunity once again to discuss these important issues!

There is no doubt whatsoever that it is not only physical violence but also psychological violence that we must address with various measures, including the criminal law route.

It is quite true that there is an investigation and a proposal. What one can possibly say is that a majority of the referral bodies were positive, while those who are to handle it legally were more problematic regarding the chosen path to handle it under criminal law.

Simply put, it can be said like this: Yes, I think the Riksdag should expect the government to return to the issue. I cannot say exactly when it will happen, but when we do, we will do it with a solution that will work in practice from a criminal law perspective so that it also achieves the intended effect, namely to also protect those women who are subjected to devastating psychological violence by their partner.

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Eric Palmqvist (SD)

Mr. Speaker! The Riksdag has voted through a declaration to open up for so-called farm sales, and the government is working on producing a proposal on this.

Since visits to breweries, distilleries, and vineyards are popular in other countries, it is reasonable to assume that farm sales could also become positive for the Swedish tourism industry, not least out in our rural areas. Sweden, however, is where it is, which means that Swedish wine production is modest. We, on the other hand, have successful distilleries of vodka, whisky, and gin, and it would therefore be unfortunate from a business perspective if the government lands on proposals that exempt producers of alcoholic beverages from farm sales.

My question goes to Ebba Busch: Will the Minister, within the framework of her political areas of responsibility, do her utmost to ensure that the farm sale is designed in a way that benefits Swedish distilleries, the Swedish tourism industry, and the Swedish countryside?

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Mr. Speaker! It is wonderful to have some breadth in the questions today! I thank Eric Palmqvist for the question.

This is being actively worked on at the Government Offices, but it is, as many have understood, not entirely uncomplicated. The Government's view is that we should try to succeed with an arrangement where we can enable the farm sale of alcoholic beverages, while simultaneously safeguarding Systembolaget's monopoly.

Small-scale, artisanal farm sales, I believe, would be very positive for the tourism industry in the countryside. It would be fantastic to be able to have a small IPA with your pipe on the Scanian plain and in other parts of the country when visiting! But it is not particularly fun if we end up in a situation where the EU intervenes retroactively, and we have dismantled the alcohol policy that has also been an important part of public health policy in Sweden.

We believe there is a way forward here, and we are working on it. We will get back to you!

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Peter Ollén (M)

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

We can rejoice over the many laws that are now being presented at a rapid pace and which together make Sweden safer. But in the cultural committee, we meet representatives from the cultural and creative industries, and there they struggle with, for example, that the Swedish film industry has been hit by illegal streaming services. We are talking about half a million Swedes who use these, and it naturally affects the economy for Swedish film. Also, illustrators and designers see their material used without permission.

At its core, all of this is about intellectual property rights. My question to the Minister of Justice is how one reasons regarding the intellectual property rights issues that affect the cultural and creative industries.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Peter Ollén, for raising this very important question!

We know that this is a large and widespread problem and that the consequences for culture creators and others are very extensive. It is about intellectual property rights infringements which are, of course, illegal.

I recently noted with satisfaction the first judgment regarding what is now called aggravated copyright infringement, a penalty that was introduced relatively recently, and it concerned exactly illegal IP-TV. The penalty was severe: imprisonment for two years and six months and furthermore damages in the staggering amount of 195 million kronor for the person who was convicted. Hopefully, it will also have a strong crime-preventive effect when everyone understands what can be the consequences of engaging in this type of illegal activity.

I also want to point out that the police and prosecutors have specialists who work on these issues, and the Swedish Tax Agency carries out controls in a very active manner. We will follow this closely, and I am also prepared to take further measures if required.

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Leif Nysmed (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Housing Minister Andreas Carlson.

At the end of January, I read in Svenska Dagbladet: "This year's rent increase the highest in over 30 years". Even though inflation is lower and interest rates are expected to fall slightly ahead, the rents are generally very high.

The Minister for Housing has previously, in debates with me, spoken warmly in favor of the temporary support for families with children within the housing allowance to protect the most vulnerable. However, this only applies until June 30 this year, so my question is: What makes the Minister for Housing believe that the economic conditions will improve for these families with children on July 1 this year?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! As Leif Nysmed knows, this support has been extended; it is something that our government has prioritized. We have also strengthened this support, which for a family with children can mean up to 2,100 kronor extra per month. This is a very important support for all the children in approximately 111,000 families who receive housing allowance.

We are, of course, following the developments, and the issue may become a subject of discussion when we prepare the budget that will apply going forward. I do not rule out that further measures may be required for those households that are hit hardest when the situation is as tough as it is. This applies in particular to those with the lowest margins and the families with children and the children it affects. We will have to return to the issue.

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Martin Westmont (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer and concerns instances where guardians or trustees steal money from the children they are responsible for. This can, for example, involve money that a child has inherited from a deceased parent or other relative.

As the law is designed today, it is often arbitrary what one is allowed to use the child's money for, which means that some guardians, with the help of various creative arrangements, use the child's money for their own consumption.

Could there be reason to review the legislation in order to tackle the problem of guardians and legal guardians stealing assets from the children they are supposed to protect and provide a safe and good upbringing for?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Martin Westmont, for raising this question! It is, of course, an extremely urgent issue. Everyone understands what social and economic abuses can lie behind the situations that Martin Westmont raises. One aspect is, of course, guardianship, and it is perhaps the most complicated issue. In guardianship matters or trustee matters, if we broaden it even further, the same problems are actualized all too often.

We do not yet look at these issues within the framework of any formalized processes, but they have also been highlighted from other sides, for example when it comes to management issues. I therefore request to be able to return to this and also gladly accept proposals on a constructive way forward, because the problem that Martin Westmont raises is real, it affects far too many and the consequences can also be devastating.

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Anna-Belle Strömberg (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Niklas Wykman.

The government's proposal to phase out interest deductions on loans without secure collateral risks becoming burdensome for vulnerable households. To make it more expensive for those already heavily burdened by debt, as the government proposes, is not a serious way forward to tackle the increasing over-indebtedness.

The increase in unpaid debts primarily affects young people, single parents, and elderly people with low pensions who have to borrow money to buy food. This risks sending people into even deeper debt.

My question is therefore: Why should those who borrow to buy a car or a boat be allowed to make a deduction on the interest, while those who are forced to borrow to meet life's necessities should not be allowed to do the same?

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Statsrådet Niklas Wykman (M)

Mr. Speaker! Sometimes a social development is such that one cannot simply meet it with measures that feel comfortable to implement. I share the questioner's assessment that there may be cases where a removed possibility to make deductions on interest can affect those who are already struggling. Therefore, this is not the government's only measure in the area. I have submitted several agency assignments to, among others, the Swedish Enforcement Authority to better help and support those who have become stuck in different types of debt problems. More measures will be taken in the area to counteract the development.

Question Time

The questioner, however, does not give us the whole story. Loans are taken out to consume online, to play games, and for many other contexts where the state should reasonably not be subsidizing that type of indebtedness.

That one can borrow for studies, for one's home and for one's car is a completely natural and necessary element for the economy to function well. But borrowing for consumption, gambling and other things puts people in a difficult life situation, and it should not be encouraged.

Question time was hereby concluded.

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