Question Time

TREDJE VICE TALMANNEN

I would like to welcome the ministers. Questions today will be answered by Minister for Defence Pål Jonson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, Minister Jessika Roswall, and Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.

A question must be of an overarching and general political nature or concern a subject that falls within the minister's area of responsibility and concerns his performance of duties. The question shall therefore not concern, for example, conditions within political parties. Minister for Defence Pål Jonson answers both general political questions and questions within his own area of responsibility.

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Linnéa Wickman (S)

Madam Speaker! Every ten minutes, a child is injured or killed in Gaza. After more than six months of war following Hamas's horrific terror attack in Israel, over 33,000 Palestinians have been killed, of whom at least 14,000 are children.

Gaza lies in ruins, healthcare is shattered, and a famine threatens. The warfare in Gaza and what is happening on the West Bank goes far beyond what international law allows. Reports are emerging of mass graves outside hospitals, and an Israeli ground invasion in Rafah is said to be imminent.

In Rafah are a large part of Gaza's inhabitants who moved there at the request of the Israeli army. To this should be added that the independent investigation of UNRWA has not found any evidence that any employee participated in the terror attack on October 7, something that Israel claimed and which caused Sweden to stop the humanitarian support to Gaza.

My question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs is: What concrete efforts is the government now making, beyond reminding Israel of its obligations under international law, to prevent a ground invasion in Rafah and save the lives of civilians?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Madam Speaker! On the final question, the answer is that the government naturally opposes an offensive in Rafah. It would be very unfortunate and catastrophic if such an offensive were carried out. The number of people who are crowded into this small area naturally makes a military operation very difficult to carry out without large civilian losses.

The government also shares the deeply widespread concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. We emphasize the necessity of an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. It is also a position that we have conveyed emphatically, including within the EU. That position is also reflected in the conclusions from the European Council meeting on March 21-22 this year.

It is also important with such a ceasefire to enable humanitarian aid to reach those in need.

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Linnéa Wickman (S)

Madam Speaker! An immediate ceasefire in Gaza is needed. Gaza is a hell on earth. It is a hell created by the inability to protect Gaza's civilian population, aid workers, and journalists in this war, and where the international community must act to prevent a genocide.

It is a responsibility that also falls on Sweden's government. I wonder what new initiatives and what measures the Foreign Minister now intends to take to contribute to an immediate ceasefire, which we now hear the Foreign Minister speaking about.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Madam Speaker! Let me also touch upon the issue of the independent investigation of UNRWA, which has now submitted its final report. It has aimed to ensure and evaluate UNRWA's new routines to ensure neutrality and assess what room there is for improvements. The final report points out that UNRWA has a good deal of mechanisms in place but also that there is room for improvements.

The Government will continue to push in the EU, in the UN and in all other multilateral forums where we are represented for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire together with our partners.

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Markus Wiechel (SD)

Madam Speaker! In recent days, we have all been able to read about the Russian so-called shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea, which, among other things, has been stationed just off Gotland.

More specifically, it concerns a number of ships that have been used to circumvent the EU's sanctions against trade with Russian oil, as well as the fact that they are likely engaged in espionage. These ships are operated and registered in both EU countries and countries outside the EU. They are utilized to transship the oil, often at sea under uncontrolled conditions.

My question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs is: What measures does he consider necessary to address this problem?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Madam Speaker! The Government views the issue of the Russian so-called shadow fleet very seriously. With its activities, it not only contributes to expanding Russia's war chest but also poses an environmental threat, not least to the Baltic Sea. Therefore, the Government is now actively working within the EU to ensure that we counter the circumventions of the sanctions that the shadow fleet represents.

We have highlighted the issue. I did so most recently at the foreign ministers' council held this past Monday in Luxembourg. The EU Commission and the European External Action Service, EEAS, have been tasked to report back to the council on what opportunities there are to rectify this ahead of the new sanctions package being prepared within the EU.

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Markus Wiechel (SD)

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

Just as the Foreign Minister says, these ships constitute both an environmental threat and a security risk for Sweden. In addition, we see other problems with the fact that they feed the Russian war chest.

My follow-up question is whether the Foreign Minister means that legislative changes within Sweden or other measures from the EU side are required to resolve this problem.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Madam Speaker! I would like to place that question in a larger perspective, namely that of the circumvention of the sanctions.

Sweden is working at several different levels to counter the circumvention of sanctions, both nationally and in the EU, and also towards partners. Here, Swedish authorities and the justice system have an important role in monitoring compliance with the sanctions that have already been put in place and, when required, investigating crimes.

The EU is also working continuously to close the loopholes both by increasing awareness among national authorities and companies and by adopting new measures.

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Samuel Gonzalez Westling (V)

Madam Speaker! A group of masked Nazis attacked an anti-racist meeting arranged by Vänsterpartiet and Miljöpartiet yesterday at 18:00 at Moment teater in Gubbängen. I was one of the speakers at the meeting and am unharmed myself. But there were others who were taken to the hospital.

It is important for us in Vänsterpartiet that the police take the far-right threat with the utmost seriousness. We must do what we can to build an equal society where racism cannot gain a foothold.

My question to Pål Jonson is: What initiatives is the government prepared to take to stop the racist violence that threatens both the ongoing EU election campaign and democracy in our society?

(Applause)

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Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Madam Speaker! Yesterday's attack was an attack against a democratic meeting. It was also an attack against our entire open and democratic society. That type of horrific act has no place in our free and open society. That participants in an anti-fascist meeting are attacked is totally unacceptable.

The government takes far-right groups very seriously. The government has also acted in this issue. There is, of course, a broader perspective linked to the need for increased police density.

The government has also recently, for example, presented a new strategy against violent extremism and terrorism. I also believe that Center against violent extremism has an important role in coordinating many of the activities that are needed between a number of different agencies that are active.

The Government strongly distances itself from and condemns yesterday's attack.

(Applause)

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Samuel Gonzalez Westling (V)

Madam Speaker! I want to begin by thanking you for the answer. It is good that we agree that racist violence is unacceptable and must be combated. But nothing happens in a vacuum. My perception is that the prevailing social climate and social tone, where immigrants in particular are described as a problem, constitutes a background to incidents such as these. Therefore, I also want to ask Pål Jonson: What measures is the government prepared to take to increase equality in society and stop blaming immigrants?

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Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Madam Speaker! The Government is also working intensively to combat this type of crime. We take it very seriously. We have taken a number of measures to combat crime and to prevent this type of extremism. We will continue to work on this. I assume that Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer can further develop much of the work that he has laid the foundation for, also linked to the new strategy against violent extremism that we have adopted and the resource reinforcements that will come in connection with this.

(Applause)

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Catarina Deremar (C)

Madam Speaker! I would like to direct my question to the Minister for Culture.

Recently, the National Property Board (Statens fastighetsverk) presented its proposal for the renovation of the Royal Opera. Our national stage has long been in great need of renovations. It is now proposed that important parts of the operations should be relocated to other buildings. From the Opera, it has been said that the proposal would mean a logistical nightmare and that they will need to transport both precious instruments and also precious staff to and from Musikaliska practically every day.

Does the Minister for Culture consider this to be a reasonable solution?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! Many thanks to the member for the question!

It is no secret that I am the fifth Minister for Culture who has handled the issue regarding the Opera. I am actually very happy, I should say, that we finally have a preliminary study in place that describes the possibilities for a renovation of the Opera both as cultural heritage and as a building. It has also been developed together with the Opera.

Since then, it is clear that there are somewhat different perspectives regarding what the needs are, and the perspectives also differ depending on whether one looks at what the operations need or what the building needs. It is no secret that the renovation will mean that the areas will decrease. One must also be able to work with that in a good way moving forward. Now the government has received the preliminary study, and I really look forward to ensuring that this issue is moved forward.

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Catarina Deremar (C)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Minister, for the answer! I share the Minister's view that it would be wonderful if we can solve this issue in some way.

The cost for the renovation is expected to land somewhere between 3 and 4 billion, and after that, sky-high rental amounts for the operations will follow. We in Centerpartiet view it positively to find external financiers for culture in general. Does the Minister consider it could be interesting to look at such a solution in this matter or in other matters?

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Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! I absolutely think it can be interesting to look at how one can strengthen culture in general. Culture should have more legs to stand on. One can have public grants and contributions, but there are many in Kultursverige today who also work with private donations or other capital. It is clear that this can be interesting to look at. But in the question of the opera house, it is clear that we also have a large state responsibility when it comes to our cultural heritage.

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Annika Hirvonen (MP)

Madam Speaker! Today, a delegation from UNRWA is visiting us Members of Parliament. One of the senior managers, who is based in Rafah, described the situation where 800 people share a toilet and women have reduced their eating and drinking because they simply no longer have the time and opportunity to stand in line for the toilets. The humanitarian suffering is difficult to comprehend for the more than 2 million Gazans who have been internally displaced and fled within their own country.

Sweden froze its support to UNRWA but has now resumed a part of it. At the same time, the needs are growing, and the requests now amount to over 2 billion. Will the government increase its support?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Madam Speaker! The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. UNRWA accounts for a large part of the humanitarian response in Gaza. The situation in the area is currently such that it is difficult to imagine any other organization that could carry out the same efforts. UNRWA also plays an important role for regional stability.

At the same time, it is naturally also important that the UN and the donor community work to ensure that other humanitarian organizations also have the capacity to expand their efforts in the current humanitarian crisis that we are seeing.

The Government has decided to pay out 200 million kronor in core funding to UNRWA against the background that UNRWA also intends to implement measures, reinforced scrutiny and control in line with the final report from the former Foreign Minister Catherine Colonnas's investigation, which was delivered the other day. Further payments will become relevant later in the year, based on the progress made in the areas identified by the report.

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Annika Hirvonen (MP)

Madam Speaker! At our meeting, where they spoke about the terrible humanitarian needs and the need for increased funding, I asked the question: What are the most important measures for the situation here and now? The main thing they highlighted was the need for resumed peace negotiations.

In what way is Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs now acting to bring about negotiations on peace and an immediate ceasefire and to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches its destination?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Madam Speaker! The Government is working tirelessly on this. Over the past few days, I have been in contact with Israel's Foreign Minister, Palestine's Foreign Minister, Egypt's Foreign Minister, and Jordan's Foreign Minister, just to mention a few.

But our most important platform is the European Union and naturally also the UN, where we are also active as a partner and for dialogue with the two parties.

Right now, the most important thing is to ensure that a ceasefire can be established, based on an immediate release of all hostages and a cessation of hostilities, so that one can return to discussing a two-state solution, which, as Annika Hirvonen says, is the only conceivable solution.

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Ann-Sofie Alm (M)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Already in 1994, Sweden's relationship with Nato began when Sweden joined Partnership for Peace. Since then, we have moved step by step towards Nato membership.

After what history books will describe as a very rapid and successful process by the government, we became full members of Nato on the day of joy - we must say that - March 7, 2024. Now we are all in Nato.

But now the work begins. We are therefore curious about the government's ambition regarding NATO membership.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Madam Speaker! Membership in Nato now constitutes a cornerstone of Sweden's defense and security policy. Sweden is and shall be a credible, reliable and committed ally, and we will fully align ourselves with Nato's 360-degree perspective on security. Our guiding principle is the policy of solidarity within the alliance, which aims to strengthen security and stability in our immediate vicinity as well as in the Euro-Atlantic area as a whole.

We are already working on how we can contribute to NATO's measures for deterrence and defense. We have unique capabilities to contribute with, and over time we will participate across the breadth of efforts, activities, and operations within the framework of NATO's deterrence and defense. In the short term, the government's direction is that Sweden shall participate with a reduced battalion to the Canadian-led forces in Latvia. Sweden also contributes strategic depth and further essential capabilities to NATO.

Our membership strengthens the alliance and contributes to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area.

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Ann-Sofie Alm (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Minister for Foreign Affairs, for the answer! It is undeniable that we need NATO membership, and we need a government that is truly prepared for it. I know that the Minister for Foreign Affairs was recently at a NATO meeting in Brussels - it was the first time Sweden participated as a full member and as a decision-maker. What impressions did you take away from that meeting?

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for the question. What I took with me, above all, was naturally the warmth and the welcome of Sweden as a new NATO member. Sweden has become NATO's 32nd member state.

We need to continue working on our integration into the processes. We will shoulder our share of the responsibility as a NATO member. Sweden is already achieving, in 2024, 2.1 percent of GDP for defense expenditures. We will remain above 2 percent in the foreseeable future. This will constitute a significant contribution to the entire alliance. That was the message I delivered at this meeting.

(Applause)

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Ingemar Kihlström (KD)

Madam Speaker! I would like to direct my question to EU Minister Jessika Roswall. Freedom presupposes borders. The 2015 refugee crisis affected countless migrants and placed the EU's member states in a difficult and almost impossible situation. Today we see the consequences - socially, culturally and economically. The lack of borders led to problems that diminished freedom in Sweden and in Europe.

We Christian Democrats see a need for a strict and long-term sustainable European migration policy. The requirement that asylum can only be sought in the intended country of reception is the reason why people risk their lives in the Mediterranean in unsafe vessels.

The Christian Democrats see a need to redirect the possibility of seeking asylum to reception centers, so that the assessment can occur to a greater extent where people are located. It would also mean fewer split families.

My question is therefore how the Minister views the possibility of a change for the EU that would mean that asylum applications are made in reception centers instead of in each individual EU country.

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Statsrådet Jessika Roswall (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for the question. Let us begin by stating that today's system is not adapted for the situation we have. We know that 80 percent of the irregular border crossings are made by men, who also lack grounds for asylum, and that the most vulnerable, women and children, often remain in refugee camps.

But we now finally have a migration and asylum pact in place, which is going to give us faster processes and better control at the outer border. It is simply going to become more order and regularity. Let us ensure that it works.

With this said, I do not rule out any discussion about reception centers, for example. The proposal that exists there needs to be further analyzed.

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Ingemar Kihlström (KD)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Minister, for the answer! We Christian Democrats also believe that other parts of the EU's migration policy need to be revised for the future. We propose a change to a quota system also for the EU, a system based on the idea that migration is regulated and that integration capacity determines the size of migration. This means that each country gets to assess what level of migration is possible based on current conditions for integration.

How does the Minister assess the possibility of a change for the EU regarding a quota system based on integration capacity?

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Statsrådet Jessika Roswall (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for the question. The Minister for Migration is probably best suited to provide an in-depth answer on this. But I still want to say, as I said recently, that we welcome new discussions. All proposals that are realistic, effective, and in accordance with international law, I believe, are worth discussing. To be continued.

(Applause)

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Patrik Karlson (L)

Madam Speaker! Democracy and the rule of law are the foundations of European cooperation, but as experience with Hungary and Poland has shown, there are forces in the EU that question this value base.

In Slovakia, the pro-Russian candidate Peter Pellegrini won the presidential election. He has close ties to Robert Fico, Slovakia's prime minister since October, who has also made himself known for his friendly attitude towards Russia. Shortly after Fico took office, he among other things stopped the country's arms deliveries to Ukraine - this he later withdrew. That an EU country wavers in its support for Ukraine is worrying, especially in a time when support for Ukraine is essential. At the same time, we see how Slovakia also compromises on rule of law principles. It is clear that we need sharper tools to counter this.

My question to the Minister for EU Affairs is: How does the government view strengthening the EU's tools – for example by tightening the EU's regulatory framework, so that regional support and other grants can be withdrawn more quickly when a member state does not respect fundamental rights, or even through the withdrawal of voting rights?

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Statsrådet Jessika Roswall (M)

Madam Speaker! First and foremost, I would like to thank you for a very important and relevant question about how we should strengthen the principles of the rule of law in the EU. As you all know, this is an extremely prioritized issue for the government, and it was high on our agenda during the Swedish presidency.

This is something that must also permeate the next strategic agenda and the next commission's work. It is something that we, as said, must keep high on the agenda. The principles of the rule of law are, in fact, the foundation for our cooperation. They are the foundation for our internal market to function, our migration policy to function, and our solutions regarding climate policy to function.

As the member mentions, the issue is extra relevant in today's light. There are many issues that are in their infancy, and there is reason to deepen the discussions.

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Patrik Karlson (L)

Madam Speaker! I would like to thank the Minister for the answer. Now that we find ourselves in a very restless time, with forces from different sides and edges trying to undermine our European community, it is important that we counter this with full force. It is, as said, important that we really work with tangible consequences when member states do not follow the EU's fundamental obligations.

I feel reassured by the answer that the Minister has given. And I look forward to the ongoing work, which is now moving forward.

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Statsrådet Jessika Roswall (M)

Madam Speaker! The EU has a number of new tools - the conditionality mechanism and the rule of law dialogue. The EU has collectively moved forward its positions. But it is clear that there are still challenges that we need to continue working on. This is, of course, an issue that the government is closely following.

I would like to take the opportunity to say that when it comes to the support for Ukraine, the EU has shown that it stands together. As recently as at the summit last week, there were new conclusions showing that our robust and unanimous support for Ukraine is strong.

(Applause)

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Johan Andersson (S)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister, as well as the Minister for Nordic Affairs, Jessika Roswall. Some time ago, the Social Democratic group in the Swedish delegation to the Nordic Council visited Biskops Arnö, Föreningen Nordens folkhögskola. It is, moreover, located in the Minister for Nordic Affairs' constituency.

We received very good information about the activities there. A question that was raised during the visit concerned the Nordic debut seminars, which have been held at the school since the beginning of the 1960s. Approximately 200 Nordic authors have passed through during the years that have elapsed.

The funds for this - it is about 200,000 Danish kroner - were withdrawn from the Nordic Council, which has caused them to have to shut down the operations.

Over the years, approximately 2,000 visitors have participated. Very many have been there and listened, and this has yielded a very great return.

My question is: What happens now? Is there any possibility for the Nordic Council of Ministers to raise the issue further?

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Statsrådet Jessika Roswall (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Johan Andersson, for the question! I can admit from the outset that I do not have detailed knowledge regarding this.

Yes, Biskops Arnö is in my constituency. I have been there many times. It is a very prestigious, old and fine folk high school, which is important for the Nordic cooperation and for our cooperation globally, I might add. It is run by Föreningen Norden, with whom we have a very good cooperation, which also makes its own priorities, so to speak.

Generally speaking, I can say that the difficult situation in our global environment naturally means that we must make certain trade-offs, refinancing, and re-budgeting. This is a discussion that we often have together with the Nordic delegation in the Riksdag.

I appreciate the work being done and the work that Föreningen Norden does. I will have to return with a more detailed answer at a later time.

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Charlotte Quensel (SD)

Madam Speaker! I have a question for Pål Jonson.

Crime is flourishing, and shootings are occurring in the open street. The police are fighting back, and as the Tidö parties allocate more funds and better conditions, much of the violence is being curbed. In the current spring budget, SD and the government highlighted many important initiatives so that Sweden can get back on the right track. For example, we are investing almost 1.4 billion in the criminal justice system because the number of detainees is increasing. Furthermore, we need to expand the number of places so that more people can be imprisoned. Reforms take time, but we are already seeing positive effects of the legislation implemented.

The population feels anxiety, however, and with good reason, because violence and insecurity are still a major problem. Does the Minister believe that the government could work more expeditiously so that we can stop the negative social development here and now?

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Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Madam Speaker! Many thanks for the question, Charlotte Quensel! Combating serious organized crime and gang crime is one of the government's absolute highest priorities, and a diligent effort is currently underway to also lay the foundation for a completely new crime policy. This involves both tougher sentences and more resources.

Quensel points out, among other things, the situation in the correctional services. It is strained, and the government has taken a number of measures to address the deficiencies that exist in the correctional services. We can state that many of those measures are coming very late and should have been taken earlier. We opened, for example, for a 60 percent increase in the appropriation to the correctional services, and we are reviewing how we can create the conditions to get up to 1,100 new places.

This is absolutely necessary for us to be able to handle the very serious situation linked to gang crime and serious organized crime. Combating it is, as said, a high priority for the government.

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Håkan Svenneling (V)

Madam Speaker! After over 200 days of war in Gaza, UNRWA, which is visiting the Riksdag today, is clear that a ceasefire, peace, and humanitarian access are needed. We see how Rafah has received 1.4 million inhabitants, from having been 300,000. It is a displacement of people without equal that is occurring in Gaza. Now Israel has purchased 40,000 tents and is preparing once again to displace people in order to be able to carry out a ground offensive in Rafah.

Four persons and two organizations have now finally been listed for sanctions by the EU. Yesterday, a mass grave was found in central Gaza, and 340 bodies were found in it. The EU has now demanded independent investigations to ensure this. The UN envoy has also stated that Israel has fulfilled several of the criteria for genocide.

I wonder: When is the government ready to introduce sanctions against Israel at the EU level?

(Applause)

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Madam Speaker! Naturally, the situation in Gaza, as I have said here earlier during the question period, is catastrophic. It is absolutely necessary with an expanded humanitarian access to curb the situation that has arisen. Many people are threatened by starvation, by diseases, and simply by death in the situation that now prevails.

The situation must therefore be changed, and it is the government's policy to drive such a change within the framework of the EU and also bilaterally in the contacts we have. Regarding the question of sanctions, the government has also been proactive in introducing sanctions against the extremist settlers who today exercise violence against innocent Palestinians in the West Bank. It was very good that at the last meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg we were also able to make decisions on this and thereby sanction list persons.

This work must continue and be expanded. There is no reason whatsoever to take the tasks of people being mistreated, killed and deprived of their property lightly, and it will be a priority for the government to work with these issues.

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Alireza Akhondi (C)

Madam Speaker! I have a question for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Yesterday, a death sentence was handed down against an Iranian rapper named Toomaj Salehi. His crime was to sing about the Revolutionary Guard and the Islamist regime in Iran.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs knows that a unanimous Riksdag urged the government to work towards a terror listing of precisely the mentioned revolutionary guard. The foreign ministers in the union had a meeting on Monday, and according to the reports, quite in-depth discussions were held regarding the terror listing of IRGC. I therefore wonder if the Minister for Foreign Affairs has taken any concrete measures to ensure that the Riksdag's democratically made decision has repercussions at the European level.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Madam Speaker! Sweden carries out customary diplomatic work to advance our line anchored in the Riksdag, that is to say, to work for EU unity to – just as the member addresses – list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard IRGC. I have, among other things, raised our support for listing at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Affairs on 22 April, as well as in the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense and in the Committee of Permanent Representatives. I have also actively consulted other member states on the issue in order to continuously follow up on the political and legal conditions for moving the issue forward.

It is still the case, however, that there is a lack of broad support within the EU for such a listing. This is partly because the legal requirements for listing the IRGC under the EU's terrorism sanctions are not met, which the High Representative Borrell also emphasized after the informal meeting of foreign ministers in the FAC on 16 April. The EU institutions are now to review and take up this issue again.

(Applause)

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Jacob Risberg (MP)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister of Defence Pål Json, and it has been formulated by our student representatives Elna Dahlberg Falkman, Noor Häyhtiö and Alva Risberg, who are sitting in the gallery here today.

The new NATO membership has brought with it a number of changes that lead to some questions. One question that recurs is whether the Swedes who have completed their compulsory military service will have to fight abroad to defend other NATO countries. This could risk contributing to reduced engagement among new generations who are to enlist, as many express skepticism about fighting for undemocratic countries such as Turkey, for example. Even Swedes who have completed their basic training during compulsory military service before it became relevant that Sweden would become part of the military alliance NATO may experience concern about having to serve abroad.

The question to the Minister for Defence is therefore whether Swedes who have undergone conscription training will need to fight in other NATO countries and, if so, in which situations it could become relevant.

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Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Jacob Risberg and the interns, for the question about Nato and what membership entails for those subject to conscription!

Let me say that we have chosen to move forward the defense decision we are currently in precisely because the NATO accession will have far-reaching consequences both for our defense planning and for our personnel supply. Therefore, we have tasked the Defense Commission with providing an analysis of what this entails regarding conscripts abroad. That report will arrive tomorrow. It is I who have appointed the Defense Commission, and it would be very unwise of me to anticipate the analysis.

We will strive for a broad political consensus also when it comes to conscripts outside Swedish territory. What I can state is that in the case of Article 5 operations, it will continue to be the Riksdag that decides whether we shall participate, as well as which units and resources we will participate with.

(Applause)

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Eleonore Lundkvist (M)

Madam Speaker! I would like to humbly point out that my home municipality, Västerås, is one of the foremost in Sweden when it comes to preparedness work. They practice continuously on various scenarios of crisis and war.

During an exercise that I myself participated in, it was noted that there may be a risk of vulnerability since the vast majority of elected officials in the municipalities' boards are lay politicians and many of these may be deployed in their professional roles. This, in turn, can lead to it becoming difficult to convene a decision-making municipal board during high alert, especially in smaller municipalities. At the current time, it is also difficult to find legal support for deploying elected officials.

I therefore want to ask Minister Pål Jonson if there is any possibility to review this, precisely so that municipalities can ensure leadership during high alert.

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

Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Madam Speaker! Many thanks for the question! It is an urgent one.

I believe that all organizations need to consider what the significantly deteriorated security situation in the world entails. The Defence Preparedness Board has since 2019 stated that an armed attack against Sweden cannot be ruled out.

MSB has made the assessment that one cannot war-station elected officials, but what MSB recommends is that one performs a availability check. It is about reviewing how high readiness and war can affect a political organization. If it involves, for example, a person who is war-stationed within the Armed Forces, the political organization should see if there is a good solution with a substitute.

Once again, I say a warm thank you for the question. It is very important that all organizations, including politically elected congregations, value and review how their operations should function both during high alert and in the event of war.

(Applause)

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

Roland Utbult (KD)

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

Culture is an important unifying force in a society. Much of the knowledge that was self-evident for previous generations is not as self-evident today. There is therefore a need for common frames of reference in our society, and here the cultural canon comes in as an important part.

How does the Minister view the possibility for a cultural canon to make an impact by making education a resource for more than those who already find themselves at a higher level of education?

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

Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for the question!

A cultural canon can be used to enable inclusion, cohesion, and common frames of reference. It has also been the government's starting point in the work of preparing the directives to the committee that will now work towards the development of a canon.

We have chosen to maintain an arm's length distance from the work that we have initiated. The committee is now working on both appointing expert groups and looking at which art and culture areas should be included. The whole shall be reported back on 31 August 2025.

I really look forward to both the discussions and the debates during the period and to taking part in what the committee and the expert groups will come up with.

(Applause)

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

Åsa Eriksson (S)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Jessika Roswall.

Europe is soon going to elections in a restless time. It is well known that authoritarian Russia will do everything in its power to try to influence the election in June. The methods for election interference are more advanced and developed than ever, and therefore an even better protection is also required.

The government has a responsibility to present a plan for how the election shall be protected from Putin and other extreme actors, and it is required that action is actually taken by allocating resources and giving concrete assignments to the relevant authorities.

When can we expect the government to present a plan to protect Sweden from election interference and disinformation?

(THIRD DEPUTY SPEAKER: It sounds as if it will instead be Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand who takes the answer.)

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

Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! Yes, that is the case with questions that cut between us.

As also being responsible for democracy issues, it is clear that I think this is an extremely important issue. We live in a society where technological development is moving at ultra-rapid speed, and we now see the consequences of how technology can be used for promotional purposes and for purposes that are intended to counteract the openness and democracy that we want to safeguard. Not least the question of AI is very important to weigh into the perspectives.

The government has recently given a mandate to, among others, the Swedish Media Council to work with media and information literacy on a broad front in the population. It is a multi-year mandate, and we have allocated specific funds precisely so that the Swedish Media Council can work to increase knowledge of media and information literacy on a general level.

This will not help here and now, but in the long run, there will be a better level of knowledge that we all benefit from in order to resist disinformation.

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

Kent Kumpula (SD)

Madam Speaker! I have a question for the Minister for Defence.

There has long been a concept called the "shooting range death," which concerns the fact that more and more shooting ranges are being closed down due to increased environmental requirements and construction creeping closer. This risks becoming a problem for specialized competence in shooting during personnel training and, in the long run, becoming a threat to the nation's security.

The Armed Forces today has major problems due to environmental permits for new establishments and expansions.

In Finland, in recent years, there have been similar problems with more and more shooting ranges that have had to be closed down. Now, Finnish politicians want to reverse the trend and see more shooting ranges. It is a development I would also like to see in Sweden.

Madam Speaker! What measures does the Minister for Defence intend to take to ensure an increased, not decreased, total defense capability due to problematic environmental requirements for shooting ranges?

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

Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Madam Speaker! Many thanks for the question! Strictly speaking, questions regarding shooting ranges are linked to Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmers area of responsibility, but it is clear that they affect many voluntary defense organizations. Let me say a few words linked to this.

The Pistol Shooting Association and several other organizations use shooting ranges. The government has therefore allocated extra funds to the voluntary defense organizations. We have seen that they have increased in size in terms of the number of members, and we have seen an influx during the spring. Therefore, the government has allocated more funds to them, and it is completely necessary.

The second question that I believe the member is looking for is regarding permit issues, which tend to take time. We are working at the Government Offices on shortening and streamlining many of the decision-making processes. Sometimes it concerns processes within the Government Offices, and sometimes it concerns cooperation between agencies. We call the project A growth-based defense.

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

Ulrika Liljeberg (C)

Madam Speaker! Now all Nordic countries are in Nato, and for defense and security reasons, higher requirements are being placed on infrastructure and possibilities for transport in and through the Nordics.

The same legitimate demands are made by us who live in Sweden and by the business community for better opportunities for the transport of both goods and people, for export and import, for the tourism industry, as well as for work and study commuting in and between our Nordic countries.

The development of a modern and robust transport infrastructure for the Nordic region requires that the Nordic countries have a common vision and a structured cooperation, especially since not all Nordic countries are members of the EU.

I direct my question to Minister Roswall: Why is the Swedish government, in this situation, stopping and hindering the establishment of a Nordic ministerial council for infrastructure and transport? Why is a cooperation at the highest level, which would serve us all well, being stopped?

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

Statsrådet Jessika Roswall (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for the question.

It is not the first time I have received the question, and it is also not the first time the question has been asked to Andreas Carlson, who is not here today.

I completely share the view that there is a great need, especially considering the new security policy situation we find ourselves in, for increased cooperation by reason of the NATO membership.

I also want to take the opportunity to state that the cooperation within the Nordic region regarding infrastructure and transport is good. It works well. Our ministers meet regularly, even those who are not in the EU, and also from a Nordic-Baltic perspective.

We find ourselves in a new political situation, which means that we also need to discuss other types of cooperation where the transports do not only go in a north-south direction but also in an east-west direction.

I have received an analysis for the Nordic Council of Ministers that looks at many ways to move forward with this. But the solution is not just to appoint a transport council.

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

Lars Püss (M)

Madam Speaker! We are currently in a situation where gang crime is draining enormous resources from our society, primarily within the justice system and, to the highest degree, the police.

The government has announced both a mandate and an inquiry so that the Armed Forces can assist the police in its work. If I understand correctly, the mandate focuses on measures in the present or near future, within existing legislation, while the inquiry has a broader focus and a longer perspective.

Therefore, I want to ask the Minister of Defence the following question: What is happening with the assignment and the investigation, and what can we expect in the short and long term? It feels truly urgent that we secure more resources for the police.

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

Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Lars Püss, for an important question!

The investigation currently underway is based on a request made by both the Swedish Security Service and the police back in December 2020 regarding the possibility of receiving support from the Armed Forces in the event of various types of gray zone situations. This shall take place at the invitation of the police and under police leadership. The investigation will continue to work with those directives.

In addition to this, there is an opportunity for the Armed Forces to support the police with transports according to what is called the helicopter regulation.

Let me conclude by saying that work is also ongoing here and now. From this autumn, the Armed Forces will support the police in its work, among other things in an operation against serious organized crime. It could involve the exchange of certain information. It could involve the Armed Forces having resources to store explosives. It could involve the handling of explosive goods. The cooperation is intensive, and it is under development. The investigation will further develop this even more.

(Applause)

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

Magnus Berntsson (KD)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Billström.

This week, the Republic of Finland's newly elected president Alexander Stubb has been on a state visit to Sweden, on Tuesday among other places here in the Riksdag and yesterday in my hometown Gothenburg, the bluest of Swedish cities.

That a new Finnish president makes their first official visit to Sweden is far from new. But the joint application process for NATO membership has entailed an incredibly close cooperation on very many levels.

In view of this, I would like to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs how we can develop and continue to strengthen the close cooperation between our countries.

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

Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

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

Yes, it was indeed a very successful state visit, which truly strengthened the close ties that already exist between Sweden and Finland.

I would particularly like to beat the drum on the fact that the business delegation from Finland was so large, with 25 representatives in the form of CEOs of Finnish companies who came to Sweden. The enormously large exchange that exists with significant ownership between our states is also very important to emphasize.

How do we build on this then? A state visit makes no difference in this context, rather it is about drawing experiences.

I believe that what is really important here is also to broaden the perspective and not just include Sweden and Finland, but also consider the whole of the Nordics and the Baltics, where Sweden and Finland are two very important states.

The fact that we now have so much integrated economy in our region - perhaps the Nordic and Baltic countries are the most integrated region in the world - gives us an excellent platform to continue the work of ensuring that business, infrastructure, telecommunications and, of course, also the defense and security policy cooperation is expanded. It will be a priority for the government to ensure that this happens.

(Applause)

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

Lawen Redar (S)

Madam Speaker! Yesterday's Nazi attack against a peaceful and democratic association meeting in the Stockholm suburb of Gubbängen has left no one untouched.

Without civil society's associations, town hall meetings, popular education, study circles and in-depth conversations, that which we love most about our country actually withers away: freedom, education, the exchange of meaning and democracy.

Right-wing extremism is a serious threat to our fundamental freedoms, and the examples are unfortunately becoming more and more frequent: attacks and threats against democratic meetings, attacks on the Pride Parade and attacks on May Day demonstrations.

My question to the Minister for Culture is this: What is the government's plan to promote popular education and open democratic dialogue and to counter violent right-wing extremism?

(Applause)

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

Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! Yes, the news of yesterday's horrific attack cannot be missed.

We cannot have that type of order. We all have a responsibility to stand up for democracy and for the freedom and openness that we want to have in Sweden. That is what we care about in all the parties represented here.

We shall also ensure that throughout the country, we enable all associations, both political and non-political, and congregations that for various reasons wish to be seen and be able to uphold democracy.

We do this in different ways from the government's side. Naturally, we condemn yesterday's attack. It is under no circumstances possible in a democratic state to behave in the way yesterday's perpetrators did. My thoughts go first to those affected, to everyone who had intended to participate in a democratic meeting.

But there are also, within this framework, a number of things that the government is doing to curb and resolve this and to stand up for the freedom and openness that we want to be able to safeguard in Sweden.

(Applause)

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

Jörgen Grubb (SD)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand and also concerns, to some extent, the opera house, which we heard about earlier.

This week, Statens fastighetsverk presented two proposals for the renovation of the opera house. Regardless of which alternative the government chooses to proceed with, this will entail substantial rent increases for Kungliga Operan. It has emerged that after the renovation, the annual rent for Kungliga Operan will amount to approximately 230 million kronor per year.

I want to point out that it is important that we see the problem with the high rents and that it does not only concern Kungliga Operan but also other state cultural activities such as Nationalmuseum.

In view of this, I would like to ask the Minister for Culture what measures the government intends to take to ensure that there is a reasonable rent setting for these state cultural activities.

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

Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for the question.

It is clear that this will have consequences in the rental model that the cultural properties in Stockholm have today. The consequences will be that when one carries out this type of larger renovation, yes, then it is added to the rent. That is the model that we have chosen.

The model has been investigated in stages under several governments, and it can be stated that neither a market rent model nor a cost rent model is optimal for houses that were built sometimes over a hundred years ago, which are part of our cultural heritage and should be able to function for subsequent generations as the cultural heritage they are, but also for carrying out activities in.

That is why the government initiated during the autumn that we should prepare an additional review of the rental model to see if there is any other method beyond those currently permitted, namely cost rent or market rent, that can be applied regarding the cultural properties. We will return to that.

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

Helena Bouveng (M)

Madam Speaker! Large parts of society-critical flows run via cables and pipes on the seabed, not least in our own Baltic Sea.

As recently as October 2023, the Armed Forces could state that no fewer than three cables had been damaged within the course of a few hours.

These are damages that can have major consequences for data communication and gas and electricity supply, damages that can have a major impact on our country, on companies and on people, damages that threaten Sweden's security and increase our vulnerability.

I am convinced, Madam Speaker, that many with me want to get answers on what the government and Defense Minister Pål Jonson are doing to monitor and protect the infrastructure on the seabed - Sweden individually or together with other countries.

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

Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Helena Bouveng, for an important question!

This is a question that we were confronted with in connection with the event that took place on October 7 last year, but also naturally regarding Nord Stream 1 and 2. Against that background, the government has tasked both the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard to report on what needs there may be regarding constitutional amendments or areas of responsibility when it comes to the protection of critical infrastructure underwater. We are working intensively on that issue.

It is also an issue that requires extensive international contacts, as many of the attacks have occurred on international waters. Therefore, we have a lot of cooperation within the framework of what is called the Joint Expeditionary Force. The maritime force was activated during the autumn precisely because of the events that took place on October 7 in the Gulf of Finland. It is thus an intensive national and international cooperation to strengthen our resilience against this type of hybrid threat.

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

Lena Johansson (S)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister of Defence Pål Jonson.

Against the background that we are now members of Nato, it is required that we also be able to handle mass casualty incidents within healthcare. Therefore, the government has tasked Socialstyrelsen and the Försvarsmakten to further develop the cooperation between military operations and civil healthcare. This is very good.

It is arranged such that we are to meet the military's healthcare needs but also ensure the civilian population's healthcare needs. Civil healthcare must be able to scale up and increase the number of care beds. At the same time, the Armed Forces shall recruit more healthcare providers in, for example, trauma. Today, the map does not quite look like there will be more care beds; rather, there will be fewer.

My question to the Minister for Defence is whether he feels confident about the situation in which Sweden's healthcare is currently situated regarding the possibility for the healthcare system, in light of the Swedish Armed Forces' mission, to handle mass casualty incidents.

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

Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for an important question. It is entirely correct, as the member says, that this is a question also linked to our Nato membership. Nato has identified seven basic requirements for civil preparedness, one of which is to handle mass casualty incidents.

There is a coordination now within Nato, where Sweden is naturally represented. Not least, Acko Ankarberg Johansson has an intensive work, and we have a close dialogue between our departments which is important and urgent.

Alongside this, a major expansion of the Armed Forces' own healthcare and the entire total defense is now taking place. It is absolutely necessary. During high alert and war, there will naturally be great pressures on civilian healthcare, but we will also need to ensure that military healthcare grows.

When it comes to military healthcare, I imagine that the Defense Committee's final report with proposals for a new war organization, which is presented tomorrow afternoon, will also include certain aspects of this issue.

(Applause)

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ANN-CHRISTINE FROHM UTTERSTEDT (SD)

Madam Speaker! In the Nordic Council, we often adopt recommendations during our sessions that are addressed to the Nordic Council of Ministers. The intention is that these recommendations should result in action.

Last year, a recommendation was adopted regarding more sustainable pelagic fishing in the Baltic Sea. Our Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs prioritized obtaining reduced quotas for industrial trawling in the Baltic Sea, while allowing small-scale coastal fishing to continue. But he was unfortunately perceived to be relatively alone in the negotiations in the EU.

My question to Minister Roswall is: How can the Minister for Nordic and EU Affairs work to ensure that the Nordic collective voice in the EU is strengthened and that the Nordic Council's recommendations become relevant?

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

Statsrådet Jessika Roswall (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for the question. I was initially a bit worried that I would receive a detailed question about fishing, so that I would have had to duck another question in this question period.

The question of how we should cooperate more within the Nordic region and also within the EU and also Nordic-Baltic and globally is a priority for the government and has been since day one.

As Minister for Nordic Affairs, I use the ministerial council, which I am now leading during the chairmanship year, to do more together in the area of border obstacles, which perhaps mostly concerns the Nordic countries. But I have also said that it is an extreme privilege to be both an EU minister and the Minister for Nordic Affairs in order to strengthen our collective influence on EU work. Our and our Nordic neighbors' Nordic cooperation is built on many common values. We have the same challenges, and our voices become stronger together.

Work on this issue is taking place broadly within both the Nordic Council and Nordic-Baltic cooperation - my two colleagues are here today - but also in many other areas.

(Applause)

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

Magnus Resare (M)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Defence.

The situation in Ukraine remains very difficult and serious, but there are still small glimmers of light. Many of us welcomed that the US Congress stood behind a new large support package for Ukraine.

I therefore ask the Minister for Defence how he believes the increased American support can make a difference and how the Minister considers the Swedish support should be developed in light of this.

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Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you for the question, Magnus Resare!

Let me say that the situation in Ukraine is very difficult, but we naturally welcome the American decision, which came here this week, regarding new support deliveries. We have good hopes that it can have a certain effect on the battlefields within the coming weeks.

Let me also say that the Swedish support is both long-term and sustained. It will need to be developed based on Ukraine's needs but also on our own conditions for providing support.

We will naturally need to move from donation to production. That means we cannot only take from the Armed Forces' stocks, but that Ukraine also receives newly produced defense materiel from Sweden and the other Nordic countries. Sweden, Norway and Denmark have, for example, worked with joint procurement to be able to send artillery ammunition to Ukraine. Sweden and Denmark have also worked so that Ukraine can get access to newly produced combat vehicles 90.

I believe that moving from donation to production will be a highlight for the government's further development of the support for Ukraine.

(Applause)

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

Sara-Lena Bjälkö (SD)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister of Defence Pål Jonson.

The Home Guard, with 22,000 volunteer men and women, is a prerequisite for the Armed Forces to be able to fulfill its tasks during high alert.

The operational readiness follows 6, 24, 90, which means basic readiness in 6 hours and being ready to complete the task within 24 hours and for at least 90 days. Due to the uncertain global situation, it is not unthinkable that we may soon face a home guard readiness.

The compensation levels within the Home Guard are still 90 percent of SGI today. There are opportunities for field allowances, which are regulated by the government. But is that enough given the great economic pressure on citizens today?

How do we ensure that those who enter home guard readiness do not need to sell, for example, their home and end up in debt while they defend Sweden for a longer period?

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Försvarsministern Pål Jonson (M)

Madam Speaker! I offer a warm thanks for the question but also for the commitment to the Home Guard. The Home Guard is perhaps the primary expression of the public's connection to the Armed Forces.

I can state that the influx to the Home Guard increased most significantly after the full-scale war broke out in Ukraine. Normally, the Home Guard usually receives about 4,500 applicants, but in a few months, they received nearly 30,000. I think that is a strong expression of the will to defend.

I shall be careful not to enter into specific contractual issues linked to the Home Guard. What I can state is that the Home Guard has an important role to play in the total defense. It will also continue to be important given the historical buildup that the total defense is now facing. It is important that all branches of the defense have the conditions to operate, but it naturally also applies that one has good equipment and allocation.

I expect that the Defence Preparation Board, which will submit its report tomorrow, will also have developed thoughts linked to both material supply and personnel supply for the Home Guard.

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Margareta Cederfelt (M)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Foreign Minister Tobias Billström and concerns Russia's war against Ukraine; I am thinking specifically of Zaporizhzhia. Every time we think the war cannot get worse, new horrific reports arrive.

When it comes to Zaporizhzhia, it can only be stated that Russia is not following any of the agreements that exist to guarantee security. The IAEA is now being denied access. The land outside Zaporizhzhia is mined. Drones have been sent to attack the nuclear power plant.

Sweden has long-standing, clearly stated, solid support for Ukraine. I would appreciate it if the Minister for Foreign Affairs could tell what Sweden is doing and intends to do to increase security around Zaporizhzhia. This is because it concerns enormously large issues and significantly more issues than only the energy supply, which in itself is an important issue.

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Utrikesministern Tobias Billström (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you very much, member, for a very important question! Naturally, it is unacceptable that any attacks are directed against a nuclear power plant in the manner that has occurred. This is something that we assume will need to be addressed in the investigations regarding the crime of aggression itself, which will need to be conducted and which are already underway at the International Criminal Court.

Regarding the work to limit the scope of this type of attack, Sweden is in close contact with the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency. I have personally met its director on several occasions and had the opportunity to orient myself regarding the conditions for being allowed to carry out inspections. Russia has unfortunately limited access to the facility, and we view this seriously.

We will follow up on this issue continuously. There must be no doubt whatsoever that this type of attack against nuclear facilities, as I said, is unacceptable, prohibited under international law, and something that one absolutely must distance oneself from.

(Applause)

The question period was hereby concluded.

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