Question Time

TREDJE VICE TALMANNEN

I would like to welcome the ministers. Questions will be answered today by Minister for Energy and Business Ebba Busch, Minister Johan Forssell, Minister Erik Slottner, 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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Isak From (S)

Madam Speaker! Soon we are to celebrate Midsummer according to Swedish tradition, with glamour and festivities. The students have just run out and driven their truck trailers. These are wonderful times.

At the same time, Russia's horrific atrocities against Ukraine are still ongoing. While we celebrate Midsummer, Ukraine is fighting not only for its own freedom but for all of our freedom. Therefore, our common EU sanctions against Russia are immensely important, as are ensuring that they become as effective as possible.

The European Commission has attributed to the government that Swedish large corporations have found loopholes and are violating the sanctions, which plays into Putin's hands. The question is therefore: What is the government doing, and how does this handling by the government damage the credibility of Swedish large corporations?

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Madam Speaker! Thank you for the question, Isak From! This is a question that engages me personally very much, as do many of us here in the chamber and of course the entire government.

It is not a question of that we, gathered in Europe, need to do even more to reduce the dependence on Russia as a whole, specifically reduce the dependence on Russian gas and oil and move away from the fossil to the fossil-free.

Sweden has pursued a very persistent line in the EU context to try to maintain unity on these issues. We are currently working on another round, the 14th sanctions package, where we are trying to achieve even tougher measures. We perceive that we are gaining traction in the ongoing negotiations, and we intend to drive this all the way to completion. The negotiations are also ongoing this week.

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Isak From (S)

Madam Speaker! The sanctions are very important, and it is important that Sweden is proactive. We have great support for that. It follows from this that if one evades or hides from the sanctions, as the commission shows that some Swedish large companies may have done, measures are required from the government.

We Social Democrats are also concerned about the credibility of Swedish companies. What is the government doing to ensure our Swedish credibility in this matter?

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Madam Speaker! I note that Foreign Minister Billström in this matter has been very active towards the Swedish companies that are now being accused of bypassing the sanctions in various ways. I also want to emphasize that we view this very seriously. It is absolutely not acceptable.

This government is crystal clear: acting in this way contributes to Russia's war chest. Therefore, our major focus now is to tighten the sanctions further and ensure that they cover more parts, while we have as much unity within the EU as possible for this.

(Applause)

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Yasmine Eriksson (SD)

Madam Speaker! I direct my question to Minister Forssell.

The Minister recently presented a proposal to introduce European punitive tariffs against Russia's remaining exports to the EU. How has this been received in EU circles? The Minister himself has described it as broad support, but the EU Commission also needs to come back with a concrete proposal on how this should proceed. What indications does the Minister have regarding when this might take place and what the design might look like?

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Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you for the question, Yasmine Eriksson!

It is exactly as Yasmine Eriksson says: At the previous trade ministers' meeting, on behalf of the government, I took the initiative to get the entire EU circle to stand behind punitive tariffs on the remaining Russian exports to the EU. Despite 13 sanction packages, hopefully soon also a 14th, the Russian exports to the European Union continue to occur, to a value of 500 billion kronor every year – money that goes straight into Putin's war chest.

Our proposal, the Swedish initiative, received, pleasingly enough, very broad support around the table. The remaining exports would naturally preferably be zero, but until that is the case, they shall, according to the proposal, be subject to punitive tariffs. It would be excellent if the customs duties that then come in also went towards helping Ukraine resist Russia's full-scale invasion.

(Applause)

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Yasmine Eriksson (SD)

Madam Speaker! Thank you for the answer, Minister!

The Russian exports to Europe are unfortunately unreasonably large. As the Minister describes, it is about hundreds of billions, which is utterly shameful.

If this with punitive tariffs does not become a reality, are there other proposals on the table that could prevent exports from Russia? And can we expect Sweden to be leading in this issue?

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Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! I just want to confirm once again that Sweden is very proactive in these issues, both in getting more sanction packages in place - ever since this government's first day on the job, we have been proactive in getting these things to happen - and in just finding other ways to simply limit the Russian war economy. The advantage with such a proposal is also that it does not require unanimity but only a qualified majority.

Now, at a Swedish initiative, we have had the commission prepare such a proposal. I look forward to analyzing it.

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Nadja Awad (V)

Madam Speaker! I want to ask a very critical question to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy Ebba Busch, whose main issue during the EU election campaign was about deporting Muslims from Europe rather than about people's real societal problems such as increased prices and rents, poor working conditions, and the climate crisis.

That the electricity price can fluctuate by several hundred percent for Swedish electricity customers when they purchase our own produced electricity is not only incomprehensible but also a gigantic capital transfer that is taking place. The government also chooses to challenge the EU's rules when it comes to the alcohol monopoly but is passive when it comes to electricity prices.

Why does the Minister for Energy not challenge the EU and introduce Swedish prices for electricity, something that would benefit the entire people? And should the minister apologize to all Muslims in Sweden for his Islamophobic statements?

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Madam Speaker! There were many questions and allegations at once.

This is a government with a cooperation between four parties for all of Sweden. Regardless of whether one voted for Sverigedemokraterna, Moderaterna, Kristdemokraterna or Liberalerna - now I have mentioned all four parties, that is good, there are so many - it is the agenda that we put forward for Sweden's best. It applies regardless of whether one has deep roots in the country, whether one is a believer or not, which god one worships or not, what skin color one has or economic circumstances.

We are now doing everything we can so that Sweden will become safer, wealthier, so that we can turn a difficult economic situation into growth that provides hope. The basic values that apply to all of us shall also apply to all of us.

(Applause)

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Nadja Awad (V)

Madam Speaker! I note that the Minister for Energy and Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch is not answering my questions.

Why is the government passive when it comes to protecting electricity customers, the people, and the companies in Sweden from usury prices on our own produced electricity? Instead of doing something that benefits all of us in Sweden, the minister chooses to sow division and single out a part of the people as a problem.

The question remains: Why does Ebba Busch rule out the future for households and companies in order to instead try to win political points by inciting against Muslims?

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Madam Speaker! I have pointed out that in Sweden, Swedish law and Swedish values apply, not sharia. Everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, must abide by this. If one considers that this is hate speech, I mean that one should go home and review one's own basic values.

In other respects, we are now cleaning up the reduction obligation which made it too expensive to fuel the car, in an inefficient climate policy that meant we were on track to miss net-zero emissions by 2045. We are now cleaning up the energy production that has caused fluctuations in electricity prices and power shortages. Slowly but surely, we are turning the ship in the right direction for everyone, regardless of religious affiliation.

(Applause)

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Emelie Nyman (C)

Madam Speaker! I am concerned about Swedish competitiveness. Sweden is predicted to have the lowest growth within the entire EU, and a contributing factor to this is the skills shortage and the labor shortage. As we all know, the new regulations for labor immigration represent a growth barrier in Sweden.

In Östersund, there is Warren Data Center. It is a company that contributes to environmentally friendly food production. The waste heat goes to greenhouses and shrimp farming. They and surrounding companies need labor but are hindered by the supply in the labor market, and they are not alone in this.

It has unfortunately become very clear that the government puts its cooperation with the Sweden Democrats before Sweden's economy, and this also applies to these regulations with insufficient tax cuts on jobs and companies.

Companies and the Swedish economy are being affected here and now. Therefore, I want to address Minister Ebba Busch and ask the following: What plan does the government have to solve the acute labor shortage for the companies that are building Sweden?

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Madam Speaker! I thank Emelie Nyman for the question. I have a great responsibility together with Johan Forssell regarding precisely the issues of competitiveness. I am happy today that we can finally present two industrial coordinators who will work together to increase the pace in the permit processes that currently cause it to take a miserably long time for companies to obtain the permits they need to make investments and initiatives that make Sweden richer and greener.

The coordinators will also have responsibility for an acceleration office where the state steps into a completely new role that we have not seen from public Sweden before. It is about mediating and getting parties and stakeholders to take a seat at the table so that the bottlenecks that exist today can be resolved. The bottlenecks mean that it can take ten years to handle a process that is crucial for Sweden's growth and green transition, while it can take one year for the corresponding process in Finland. It is an important day for those of us who believe in climate hope instead of climate anxiety.

(Applause)

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Emelie Nyman (C)

Madam Speaker! This does not entirely alleviate my concern regarding the green transition, the business sector, and the need for labor that we are unable to provide right now in Sweden.

It is good that the government is taking a step forward, but the policy is not sufficient and makes Sweden poorer. Is that really the legacy a Christian Democratic Minister for Enterprise wants to leave behind? The elephant in the room, however, is that Sweden is in need of labor immigration.

Until the government has actually realized this, we need an answer to the question: How does the government ensure that companies can find labor to grow here and now?

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Madam Speaker! We need to educate our young people and also people in the middle of their lives so that they can take the jobs that exist in the industries of the future.

But it is not sensible that a country like Sweden has hundreds of thousands of people who could work but do not work and do not take the jobs that exist in Sweden, while at the same time we have had a large labor immigration.

Here we are organizing the matching while the Migration Minister is actively steering the Swedish Migration Agency to increase the pace for permits for those we need in the labor migration. But it has not been as many as it has been until now. We are cleaning that up now.

(Applause)

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Katarina Luhr (MP)

Madam Speaker! The EU directive on the energy performance of buildings has been decided, and it landed on that it is the state, not the private property owner, that shall ensure that energy use is reduced according to the directive's goals.

Reducing energy consumption in buildings is something that yields great gains in terms of resource use, reduced imports of for example Russian gas, and by allowing energy to be released for other purposes. But according to many experts, the directive's goal implies that the speed of energy renovations needs to be doubled.

I wonder what measures the Minister for Housing plans to increase the speed of energy renovations and ensure that the 2030 goal is reached.

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Madam Speaker! I thank Katarina Luhr for the question. This is a question that also falls under Ebba Busch's area of responsibility. But since the question is posed in such a way that it concerns what measures I, as Minister for Housing, am prepared to take, I will of course answer the question.

The revision of the directive on the energy performance of buildings aims to reduce the energy use and climate impact of buildings. It is positive to improve energy efficiency and save energy in the built environment. This can free up energy for other parts of society as well as strengthen resilience during disruptions and lower peak demands.

The government has managed during the negotiations to hold back much detailed regulation and maintained the possibility for us here in Sweden to design our own policy within the area ourselves, which has been an important part. The government has begun the implementation, which is to be completed on 29 May 2026.

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Katarina Luhr (MP)

Madam Speaker! I do not think the Minister answered my question very much regarding what measures he intends to take. Since the support for energy efficiency for multi-family dwellings has been removed by the sitting government, one could instead use other economic instruments so that energy efficiency can increase.

Right now, the tax deductions for individuals are being doubled, and I wonder if the Minister can consider introducing some type of similar tax deduction for housing cooperatives and owners of multi-family dwellings in order to facilitate energy efficiency.

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Madam Speaker! It is extremely important to ensure that the work on energy efficiency is increased. Within the directive, there are various provisions regarding solar energy, charging infrastructure, and energy labeling. The Government is taking many measures, not least within the framework of the climate action plan that has been developed. We are also following the work with the action plans that the industry is developing, not least within the construction sector. Much is about reducing the climate footprint, reducing emissions, and at the same time strengthening competitiveness. We will, of course, continue with that.

(Applause)

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Ann-Sofie Alm (M)

Madam Speaker! Just over a year ago, the group leaders of the Committee on Foreign Affairs were in Kyiv and saw firsthand how missiles were shot down outside the hotel room window. We felt what people in Ukraine experience as their everyday life.

This made me determined. Nothing in the aid and foreign policy is more important than helping Ukraine.

Here at home, the young people are singing about a radiant future right now. It is wonderful to see the happiness in their eyes and to take part in the bubble of carefree future plans.

At the same time, Russia is bombing schools in southern Ukraine in the hell of that war that the murderer Putin is responsible for.

Children are hit hard in war. What can we do so that even their dreams of a brilliant future can come true, and what is the government doing so that these children can feel joy and faith in the future and get a nice summer holiday?

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Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you to Ann-Sofie Alm for the incredibly important question!

I have just returned from the large international Ukraine conference in Berlin, where President Zelenskyy was also present. He confirmed exactly what Ann-Sofie Alm described. The war is now entering its third year. It is easy for us to forget it with all the headlines that come, but behind them there is a hell, quite simply, not least for the civilian population.

I am very proud that this government has changed the aid policy and made Ukraine the largest recipient of Swedish bilateral aid. That expansion will continue. We are not finished yet. But it is not just about the large UN organizations, such as the World Bank, but we also provide small-scale support.

I would like to mention Operation Aid as an example, which we have just provided support for so that Ukrainian children can have as normal a summer holiday as possible, and also The Reckoning Project, which aims to find the thousands of abducted Ukrainian children that Russia has stolen from their parents in order to be able to return them to their Ukrainian mothers and fathers. These are important elements in our aid policy.

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Ann-Sofie Alm (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you to the Minister for the answer!

It feels very good that the Swedish people are helping these children. The Minister mentions The Reckoning Project. The needs are endless, so I became very proud when I heard the Minister present Sweden's support for Ukraine's reconstruction at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin.

International cooperation is crucial, but how can we also facilitate for Swedish companies to help in the reconstruction of Ukraine?

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Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! In his speech in Berlin, President Zelenskyy pointed out that more weapons and further energy support are needed, and then trade and investments are needed.

Just a few days ago, this government presented a 75-billion SEK framework for military support. We presented a major investment in helping our Ukrainian friends repair their energy infrastructure, and we have just established a completely new Swedish trade office in Kyiv to help Swedish entrepreneurs get there and bring in more trade, job creation, and investments.

(Applause)

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Gudrun Brunegård (KD)

Madam Speaker! In several of the government's policy documents, civil society is highlighted as a positive force, and it is stated that the proportion of aid channeled through civil society shall increase.

Right now, an investigation is underway on how the aid mediated through Swedish civil society actors to local sister organizations could become even more effective and even better strengthen the cooperation between the local organizations in order to combat poverty and reach the other aid goals.

As always in times of change, the ongoing investigations have caused great concern among the organizations, and it has been perceived that entered multi-year agreements have been terminated.

What can the Minister for Development Cooperation say about the timeline for the change process? When can the organizations be informed about what the future model will look like?

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Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! Thanks to Gudrun Brunegård for the important question!

Civil society organizations are prioritized by this government. That is why we have said that we will increase the proportion of aid channeled through the small-scale civil society organizations. We have also begun that work.

Then it is not just about how much money one spends on something. This government also has high ambitions regarding quality and efficiency. We are increasing transparency and ensuring that we constantly invest and use aid money in the most effective way possible so that they benefit people in the recipient countries to the greatest extent possible and that as little money as possible ends up in, for example, overhead costs and bureaucracy.

It is in this light that we are now changing this governance model. I can state that the responsible authority, Sida, has already initiated a procedure to invite organizations. Our ambition is that this should be seamless and that we should be able to reduce the transaction link and provide support to more organizations if it is the case that they do a really good and effective job.

(Applause)

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Gudrun Brunegård (KD)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for the answer.

I believe there is an understanding that it may be difficult today to specify an exact date for when the government's decision on the new organization is to be expected. But it has been perceived that entered agreements have been terminated.

My question is therefore whether the Minister can provide an answer as to whether such organizations that may not receive a renewed contract will be given time for decommissioning in an orderly manner so that the transition to a new system becomes as smooth as possible.

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Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! Whenever changes are made, it always raises many questions. I understand that.

That is also why we have been so keen to be transparent. We signaled the change already in our reform agenda last year. We have set up a timeline that is open for everyone to see with different dates and milestones.

Sida has already invited and conducted an initial screening of organizations, and there are now many more organizations that see an opportunity to receive support from Sida than has been the case previously.

I hope that we will be able to make decisions in the near future and that it will be a seamless transition.

(Applause)

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Helena Gellerman (L)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Infrastructure Minister Carlson.

The country's road and railway infrastructure has long been neglected, not least when it comes to maintenance and new investments. The needs are extra large now, not least because we need to facilitate the green transition and, above all, Sweden's increasing exports from companies, not least in the northern and western parts of the country, which, through their exports, facilitate the climate transition globally.

This autumn, the government will present an infrastructure bill to the Riksdag. Due to the inflation of recent years, the financing need has increased just to carry out the current plan. To this, an increased focus on maintenance and new investments shall be added.

Against that background, we need to investigate new possibilities for financing, so my question is what alternatives the Minister sees for the state's grant funding and what is being done to investigate those possibilities.

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

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

The needs within the Swedish transport infrastructure are very great. One does not need to travel many miles in our elongated country to realize this, whether it concerns the road network or the railway network.

We must begin to catch up on the maintenance debt that has accumulated over a very long period, while simultaneously making well-balanced, good investments that strengthen the opportunities for export and growth, but which also make it possible for Sweden to live up to the requirements for host support that are imposed as a result of the NATO membership in the current security policy situation.

We need more money for infrastructure and more infrastructure for the money. Therefore, we have opened up for alternative financing and to actively test it. This can, of course, involve co-financing from Nato and the EU, but also private capital for infrastructure measures. I look forward to returning to that, Madam Speaker.

(Applause)

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Helena Gellerman (L)

Madam Speaker! I thank you very much for the answer. I really appreciate that we are looking at alternative financing.

In this context, I would also like to take up what the Minister mentioned regarding the Defense Preparation's report, where infrastructure in areas that are important for the country's defense capability is pointed out as a consequence of our NATO accession. How does the Minister view how this can affect the upcoming infrastructure bill and the possibility of alternative financing there as well?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Madam Speaker! Yes, it will definitely have an impact. This government, unlike the previous one, took the needs of total defense into account in the decision regarding the orientation basis that Trafikverket prepared.

This will of course be important in the national plan. It will be important to strengthen the infrastructure. Infrastructure is either a bottleneck or an enabler for defense capability, for the industry's transition and development, and for growth in Sweden. Therefore, this is a very prioritized issue, and I want to thank you for it.

(Applause)

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Laila Naraghi (S)

Madam Speaker! The most dangerous place for women in Sweden today is the home. There, women are tortured, raped, and murdered year-round. When a woman manages to separate from a violent man, society must be there, as must the law. It is obviously the woman who should be able to stay in the shared home. It is the perpetrator who should move, not the woman.

In government, we Social Democrats started the work as a first step to change the Rent Act so that women who are victims of violence can keep the housing and the rental contract; it is the perpetrator who should move. We appointed an inquiry which produced a concrete legislative proposal.

The government took this further, and we have decided on changes here in the Riksdag. It is good that we are in agreement on this. It is the woman who should be able to stay, not the perpetrator.

This must, of course, apply to all women who are victims of violence regardless of what form of housing they have, not only those who live in rental apartments. Now the next step must be taken. Therefore, my question to the Minister for Housing is what initiatives the Minister intends to take in the government so that this shall apply to all women, also in housing cooperatives and so on.

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Madam Speaker! I want to emphasize the importance of the issue and that there is a broad consensus on the commitment to the issue, just as the member emphasizes.

The decisions that have been taken are good; we support them. We also see a great need to strengthen the entire housing market so that housing is built and mobility becomes possible - so that one can move, regardless of the reason. That there are homes available and that there is a very strong social dimension in housing policy is something we are working on. We have proposals on the government's table regarding housing supply responsibility and other parts that I look forward to returning to and hope and believe that there will be broad support for in the Swedish Riksdag.

Nothing can be more urgent than that this part of the housing policy is prioritized, and this is something I am also working on in close cooperation with Equality Minister Paulina Brandberg. Thank you for the commitment!

(Applause)

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Rashid Farivar (SD)

Madam Speaker! Sweden has long been at the forefront regarding digital development, but measurements show that other countries are catching up and in many respects are surpassing us.

In a debate article in the Riksdag on May 10, the Minister for Civil Affairs writes about the importance of faster digitalization of Swedish authorities and the public sector, as well as the government's initiatives. These measures are warmly welcomed.

The business sector also needs better conditions to be able to become leading and competitive in the use, development, and application of new digital technology. My question to Minister for Civil Affairs Erik Slottner is: In what way can the government fulfill its important role here, especially when it comes to small and medium-sized enterprises, which lack the large economic resources and the supply of competence that the tech giants have?

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Madam Speaker! I thank Rashid Farivar for this very important question. Digitalization is a very broad area, where I, on many occasions, worry more about the pace in the public administration, where I think it goes too slowly, while we see incredibly much happening in the private industry. Here, the business sector and the state need to work hand in hand.

An early decision we took from this government's side was to increase the appropriations to what we call advanced digitalization. It is precisely about collaborative projects between the state and the private sector and academia, where the state is now contributing half a billion kronor.

We are connecting Sweden at an ever faster pace. We see now that the 5G rollout is proceeding at a very high pace, which is a prerequisite for being able to digitize Sweden and introduce new, modern technology.

We are also currently working on a digitalization strategy, where we are involving the private business sector very closely in the work specifically so that their perspective will also be included, plus a great deal of other things.

(Applause)

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Samuel Gonzalez Westling (V)

Madam Speaker! Electricity prices have been and risk becoming historically high again as a consequence of what is happening on the European electricity market. This is not about electricity production itself, of which Sweden has a surplus. The only ones who are happy about the prices are the electricity producers. Will the Minister for Energy and Industry and the government challenge the EU and defend Swedish interests by introducing Swedish prices for electricity, which the Left Party has pushed for for several years now, or perhaps even the Beken model, which is a similar proposal?

As Wolfgang Hansson wrote in Aftonbladet the other day, it would be more reasonable and better for the Swedish people to challenge the EU in this issue than to, as now, risk the alcohol monopoly. Better electricity prices can be obtained here and now, and that would be extremely welcome, not only for Swedish households but also for Swedish companies all around the country.

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Madam Speaker! What Sweden needs is more realism and less red-green fantasy politics. Sverigepriser is a clever name, but it is not feasible in practice.

It is also the case that when we have the heaviest load in our country, the weather-dependent power production from sun and wind performs worst. In those cases, Sweden needs to import, in some instances the equivalent power of three nuclear reactors, from other countries. We are therefore dependent on also being able to import. We can export a lot to other countries on the days we have a surplus in power production. It is not the same thing as having enough electricity where it is needed, when it is needed, at sensible prices - capacity.

Swedish prices will not remedy this, even though we would gladly see Germany get its power production in order and have differentiated electricity price areas, like Sweden, so that we are not hit as hard. But we do not have control over this.

(Applause)

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Anne-Li Sjölund (C)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Andreas Carlson. As much as 1,800 billion kronor will soon be invested in Sweden's seven northernmost regions, primarily in green transition. Thousands of people need to be employed. Commuting to work must be realistic, and freight transport, especially from the northernmost part of Sweden, must move forward.

But without the New East Coast Line, Norrland's green industrialization stands still. The trains will go neither north nor south if we do not build away Sweden's longest bottleneck in the railway system, from Gävle to Kramfors. The EU wants the section to be finished by 2030, and both the Prime Minister and the Minister for Enterprise have promised before and after the election that it will be finished by 2035.

The outdated Ostkustbanan turns 100 years old in 2027. The New Ostkustbanan is important not only for the residents of Västernorrland and Gävleborg but to a great extent for the entire country's competitiveness. Will the promises to the citizens be fulfilled when it comes to double tracks on Ostkustbanan with construction starting in 2027?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Madam Speaker! The member describes in a very clear way the great needs that exist to strengthen the infrastructure in Sweden and that this, just as I said in response to a previous question, becomes either a bottleneck or an enabler for large investments in industry and for the transition. Therefore, it is so urgent that we ensure that we get both more money for infrastructure and more infrastructure for the money.

The Riksdag will receive the government's infrastructure bill in the autumn, where we will present proposals regarding the frameworks. After that, we will task the Swedish Transport Administration with preparing proposals for measures that will be included in the plans.

I cannot anticipate that process, Madam Speaker, but one thing I can say: the Government's prioritization of freight transport and work commuting will be guiding. We are also moving more towards a corridor thinking instead of getting stuck in stage by stage. Some of the investments in infrastructure that have been made have concerned just stages, and it takes a very long time before one gets the full effect. We must accelerate measures to enable the transition that is taking place.

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

Mikael Damsgaard (M)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Infrastructure and Housing Minister Andreas Carlson. The Mälarbanan is a pulse artery for the large-scale commuting in the Stockholm-Mälar region. Well-functioning traffic on the line is a prerequisite for the entire region to be able to live and develop, but also for the business community in several locations, including the capital, to be able to meet their competence supply.

Unfortunately, the traffic is suffering from major problems, some of which are due to a lack of capacity on the line towards Stockholm. This is palpable for everyone who is dependent on the traffic and on the trains running.

The expansion of Mälarbanan between Tomteboda and Kallhäll includes an expansion of the railway from two to four tracks to enable more frequent and punctual traffic.

In the 2007 agreement on Citybanan, where the municipalities and regions of Mälardalen are co-financiers, the state undertook to enable a construction start by 2019 at the latest. The project is, however, being delayed significantly, and the assessment now is that the major works can begin at the earliest in 2028.

Trafikverket has paused the preparatory work because agreements have not been able to be concluded. My question to Andreas Carlson is: What do you intend to do so that the Mälarbanan project is not affected by further delays?

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

Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Madam Speaker! Just as Mikael Damsgaard describes, Trafikverket has been tasked with expanding the railway section between Tomteboda and Kallhäll, which is a project in the national plan. The greater part of the project has been expanded, and this has had an effect on railway traffic with shorter travel times from, among other places, Västerås.

The stretch is one of the country's most heavily trafficked. The tracks are used to their maximum today, so it is concerning that the works through Sundbyberg have been paused, just as the member describes. I expect that Trafikverket, which is responsible for the work in this part of the project, discusses both contracts and detailed plans with the municipality and that there is a high pace of progress as part of the implementation of the project.

It does not fall upon me as an individual minister to enter into the negotiations in this situation, but it is of course concerning. I expect that this will be resolved, preferably faster than the years the member mentioned.

(Applause)

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

Larry Söder (KD)

Madam Speaker! Sweden's electricity consumption is expected to double by 2045. To manage this, large investments must be made in the power grid. The previous generation of grids was built out during the 60s and 70s. The need for investments in new power grids has been estimated at 1,000 billion kronor by the industry organization Energiföretagen.

Profilgruppen, which manufactures aluminum products and has its headquarters in Småland's Åseda, and Sia, which produces Halland glass in Slöinge, are examples of companies that have had to invest in new network infrastructure themselves in order to be able to expand their operations.

I would like to ask the Minister for Energy how she will ensure that producers and consumers can meet to connect to the electricity system in the simplest and most cost-effective way and obtain the electricity required for the green transition that we all need.

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

Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Larry Söder, for the question!

I am pleased that there were lively discussions here in the chamber when the new energy policy direction proposal was debated and then adopted by the Riksdag with a clear majority recently. It answers some of this.

We have several important missions underway regarding energy planning and clarifying the state's role to pave the way for and facilitate investments in the electricity system. It is actually somewhat revolutionary compared to how things were handled previously.

We also want to develop the electricity market and clarify the responsibility of the grid companies. There is a need to increase transparency in order to be able to meet the demand for electricity, so that one knows what is booked in the system and what is not. We have held a power gathering to remove so-called air bookings.

The electricity market needs to provide incentives to enable connections to the electricity system. Today, it only provides incentives for energy, not for power. It is a hell of a difference.

(Applause)

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

Peder Björk (S)

Madam Speaker! The County Administrative Boards have an important role in the state administration and in society at large. In order for the County Administrative Boards to fulfill their tasks, it is absolutely crucial that they enjoy a great deal of confidence from the public.

County Governor Anna Kinberg Batra at the County Administrative Board of Stockholm has, through her leadership and actions regarding various appointments, damaged this trust. I believe that most have heard about the note on the notice board. At least five investigations have been initiated due to the County Governor's actions. One of these is complete, and it is stated there that the County Governor has violated current procedures.

Overall, this has damaged trust, not only for the County Administrative Board in Stockholm County but also for the County Administrative Boards in general across the entire country. It has not become any better by the fact that the County Governor in Kronoberg also breaks the rules.

My question to Minister Slottner is: How much longer is this allowed to continue without the SD government taking action?

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

Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Madam Speaker! A government that does not exist can, of course, never act. We therefore have no SD government in this country.

(Applause)

The government consists of the Moderates, the Christian Democrats and the Liberals with a parliamentary cooperation in the democracy we live in, which secures a parliamentary majority for the government's policy. We have a budget cooperation and a cooperation agreement with the Sweden Democrats, but they are not part of the government.

I do not intend to stand here during a question period and discuss individual heads of agencies. Peder Björk knows that this issue has been discussed in an interpellation debate previously. At that time, I accounted for the work that I, as minister, and my department have done in light of the tasks that have emerged. We have maintained and continue to maintain an ongoing dialogue with Länsstyrelsen Stockholm.

I know that a number of investigations are ongoing. We also know that the Parliamentary Ombudsman will issue his statement later this autumn. We will have to see what these say and return with any measures.

(Applause)

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

Clara Aranda (SD)

Madam Speaker! Many are aware of the much-publicized landslide at the E6 in Stenungsund last year, which caused severe damage. In Sweden, several serious accidents have occurred in connection with landslides, and the most serious of its kind in our country was a landslide outside Norrköping which caused a railway accident where 42 people lost their lives.

The risk of avalanches in the area around Kolmården outside Norrköping, where trains run at regular intervals, remains imminent. The slopes in the area mean that the ground is not stable due to gravity, and prolonged rainy weather in combination with heavy rainfall can be enough to trigger an avalanche with fearsome consequences as a result.

For this reason, I would like to ask Minister Andreas Carlson: How is the government working to prevent the risk of those types of landslides, which can lead to serious impacts on important infrastructure and at the same time be a great danger to people's lives?

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

Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Madam Speaker! This is an urgent matter. Let me begin with the situation around Stenungsund. There, the investigations are not yet complete. The Accident Investigation Board is investigating the incident. It is described as an investigation on the same scale as the Estonia investigation. There was a very extensive impact on the surrounding area at road E6, which drifted away most closely like filmjölk. There were very strong forces.

It is of course important to draw lessons from both the accident commission's investigation and from the judicial investigation that is ongoing. I cannot, of course, anticipate that. I can, however, state and confirm that the government has begun work on renewing the climate adaptation strategy so that such factors are taken into account when building infrastructure. One must take into account a different water level, a different environment, and a different climate in the future so that infrastructure is secured from, for example, avalanches.

(Applause)

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

Anna Lasses (C)

Madam Speaker! Care shall be available on equal terms for the entire population. This also applies to the 61,000 who live on Gotland. There shall be BB, acute care, primary care, advanced care and so on on Gotland. In practice, this means that a capacity is required which, in the rest of Sweden, would correspond to 200,000 inhabitants, but the cost for this shall be borne by 61,000 inhabitants.

The fact is that approximately 10,000 kronor more per Gotlander is needed to be able to maintain the basic care that is required. This does not add up. Now the situation is so acute that Gotland is taking money from preschools, elderly care, and support for people with disabilities just to get the basic care to function. This is unreasonable, so now my question is: What is the government doing about this?

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

Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Madam Speaker! I would like to start by thanking Anna Lasses for the question.

This really puts the finger on the fundamental problem with the management of Swedish healthcare. We have very different circumstances in our wonderful but elongated country. One region is an island, which gives a completely unique set of problems - but also unique opportunities, which we have the opportunity to take part in at least once a year even if we do not visit Gotland for other matters. But it also highlights the problem of having a healthcare organization with a basic structure from the middle of the 1800s, when we didn't even have penicillin. Now that we have highly specialized hospital care, the old structure we have does not work.

Now we are changing the management of the healthcare, and we are adding more funds to the budget for the current year with the healthcare amendment budget. We will also continue to review the organization to reduce inequality across the entire country.

(Applause)

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

Maria Stockhaus (M)

Madam Speaker! My question is directed to Minister for Civil Affairs Erik Slottner.

Our society is becoming increasingly digital, and AI provides completely new opportunities to offer both service and services. A prerequisite for being able to take part in all these new services and utilize the service that exists digitally is a good connection.

My question to the Minister for Civil Affairs is: What is the government doing to ensure that all of Sweden receives a secure and fast connection?

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

Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Madam Speaker! I thank Maria Stockhaus for the question.

The AI question is incredibly exciting, and we can only guess what awaits in the future regarding new innovation and new areas of application. Therefore, it is very important to also think about connectivity. Sweden needs to become connected so that we can participate in, implement, and get full use of the new technology.

During this mandate period, the government will invest approximately 5 billion to fulfill the goals in the broadband strategy, that is, to connect parts of Sweden where the market cannot do so on its own. We are now seeing a rapid 5G rollout all around Sweden, and it has accelerated, not least during this year. We have several projects when it comes to so-called submarine cables, that is, fiber cables under the water, to connect our part of the world primarily with the Arctic region and the Indo-Pacific region. We also have more and more focus on satellites – can we, with satellite technology, connect parts that are difficult to reach with fiber, for example?

There is also much more; this was a snapshot.

(Applause)

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

Magnus Jacobsson (KD)

Madam Speaker! Västra Götaland, together with Halland, is one of the strong growth regions in Sweden. However, we also suffer from major problems regarding infrastructure.

Even worse is that we will suffer even much more during next year and the year after that. Planning is underway to change the power lines on the Alingsås-Göteborg section, which will have the consequence that the railway system that today serves as infrastructure for industrial goods, the Stockholm-Göteborg train route, as well as all of Västtrafik's traffic, will go from two tracks to one track.

My question to the Minister for Infrastructure is how the government is working together with Trafikverket so that we can manage this situation here in Western Sweden.

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

Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Madam Speaker! It is an urgent matter, as there is a great maintenance need in the Swedish railway – two-thirds of the infrastructure is over a hundred years old. The point raised by Member Magnus Jacobsson is an example of that.

I have been informed that Trafikverket's goal, regardless of which model for closure is chosen, is always to ensure the minimum possible impact for travelers and freight. This is important and very urgent. But we do not stop there from the government's side; we have also tasked Trafikverket with reporting measures to strengthen the execution of railway maintenance. Time must be taken in the tracks so that the maintenance work has as little impact as possible, and contracts must be designed in that way. One must cooperate with the industry.

Just when it concerns the Western Main Line, a Western Main Line Council has been formed where Trafikverket, together with the actors who operate on the line, shall ensure that there is as little impact as possible. I am following it very closely.

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

Monica Haider (S)

Madam Speaker! The County Administrative Board of Västra Götaland County said okay to another offshore wind farm the other day. Mareld would provide 12 terawatt-hours of fossil-free electricity per year, which corresponds to electricity for approximately 1.2 million households for one year.

However, the county administrative board's decision is not enough; it is also required that the government says yes. The government has admittedly made some decisions regarding offshore wind farms, but Western Sweden needs more electricity quickly, and it is important that the government's processing does not drag on. Otherwise, thousands of jobs are threatened. One can still worry about how engaged the government is in this issue. On the desk of the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, several projects in southern Sweden are now lying and waiting for a decision.

My question to Minister Ebba Busch is: Why is the government delaying?

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

Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Madam Speaker! I thank Monica Haider for the question!

I agree that it is important that we maintain momentum in these decision-making processes. We are actively working on the question of how we can increase the incentives for those municipalities that want to say yes to land-based wind power without removing the municipal veto. We have an active dialogue with the wind power actors, both offshore and onshore, about how they can contribute with the support services needed so that we do not have a lot of electricity just floating around and that we have to send to other countries, while also having the possibility to store the electricity so that it is available even on those days when it is not blowing and the sun is not shining. It is a good dialogue, but we are far from solutions yet.

Otherwise, nothing is lying around gathering dust on the government's desk, but work is being carried out very actively on this. I look forward to being able to bring several of these issues to fruition shortly.

(Applause)

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

Björn Tidland (SD)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Andreas Carlson.

Gothenburg and Western Sweden is one of the regions in the world where the most is invested in research and development in relation to the size of the economy. Globally active companies, educational institutions, strong research environments as well as well-developed structures for entrepreneurship and innovation make Västra Götaland a leading region in both research and development.

However, there is a major problem with housing supply for top researchers who are willing to establish themselves in Sweden. Akademiska Hus has the ambition to create new housing for researchers, but it is not enough. The municipality's detailed plans and comprehensive plans do not keep pace with the needs, and Sweden risks losing important top-tier expertise.

My question is therefore: How is the Minister working to make it easier for top researchers to establish themselves in Swedish university towns?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Madam Speaker! Björn Tidland is obviously right that the housing shortage in many university towns hinders the recruitment of both students and employees at colleges and universities. Being able to attract foreign researchers contributes to the development of research. This is important—and the foundation—for Sweden to continue to be an innovative country and continue to have good competitiveness, and therefore the question is pressing.

To ensure the internationalization of higher education and mobility among researchers, the government decided in 2022 on a new ordinance that gives the state higher education institutions the opportunity to offer housing to more groups of students and researchers than what applied at that time. The ordinance on the possibility for universities and colleges to provide housing entered into force on 1 January 2023, and the categories it was then expanded to were doctoral students, early-career researchers, and fee-paying students. This is in addition to exchange students and guest researchers, which it also applied to previously.

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

Kadir Kasirga (S)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson.

Thousands of people struggling with long commutes in Stockholm's commuter traffic received a glimmer of hope in 2017 when a green light was lit for Spårväg syd. It was to bring more than just a new public transport solution; it would also create thousands of new homes and new workplaces. But now, seven years later, the hope and the light have been extinguished by the SD-led government.

Public transport is not just a way to transport people from A to B, but it is the foundation for a city's development and growth. It is an important part of people's life puzzle. Still, the government chooses to prioritize down the project, and this in a time when the housing shortage is glaring and the need for an efficient and environmentally friendly public transport has never been greater.

I must therefore ask Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson: Will Stockholm receive support from the government to complete the project, or will the government choose to stand still - and betray the people of Stockholm?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Madam Speaker! It naturally goes against me to correct Kadir Kasirga here in the chamber, but regarding the government's management, I would like to refer to what Erik Slottner previously answered in response to a question.

The Speaker claims that the government is deprioritizing Spårväg syd, but this is completely incorrect. The issue is in the national plan. It is the chairperson appointed by the government for the Sweden negotiations, Catharina Håkansson Boman, who is responsible for reaching an agreement with the parties if changes occur in the projects. She has this assignment and this mandate. My State Secretary has also invited a number of different actors to a conversation at the ministry tomorrow, and I hope that any questions that may exist can be resolved. It is, however, absolutely not about any deprioritization, Madam Speaker.

(Applause)

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

Johnny Svedin (SD)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Ebba Busch.

Alarming information has emerged regarding a lack of control and follow-up in connection with the Swedish Energy Agency granting loans to hope companies on the stock exchange. Loans that were later converted into grants without any significant repayment obligation correspond to at least half a billion kronor of tax money.

The Energy Agency has defended its actions by pointing out that the purpose of the support was to promote development and innovation within the energy sector. The agency has also acknowledged that there is a need to improve the routines to, among other things, ensure that the results of the funded projects are followed up more closely.

It may seem unreasonable that the Swedish Energy Agency is allowed to more or less speculate with tax funds without careful follow-up, scrutiny, and risk analysis. Does the Minister intend to take concrete measures to ensure that public funds within the agency are managed in a more responsible and transparent manner in the future?

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Energi- och näringsministern Ebba Busch (KD)

Madam Speaker! This is one of the governments elected by the people; it is actually the people who rule in Sweden.

It is deeply inappropriate if I, as a minister, step in and comment on decisions in administrative matters concerning individuals. We have, of course, noted the media reports that have emerged. We have authority dialogues according to all the rules of the art and, of course, also contact when such things are discovered and highlighted.

I think it is relevant that those sitting here in the chamber - I want to welcome them - and those listening remotely know that what has been reported concerns commitments dating back to the period 2009-2014. The authority has for many years only provided grants in support of companies and does not use the loan arrangement that has prompted many questions. Since this is not practiced today, I have felt secure.

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

Gunilla Svantorp (S)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Slottner.

We in the committees have the privilege of regularly receiving reports from the EU coordination on what is happening in the EU. This week, we were able to read a report from the European Court of Auditors, which has addressed the issue of the EU and AI. It is noted, firstly, that the EU is not keeping pace with the investments of global leaders but is falling behind; secondly, that the results of EU-funded AI projects are not systematically followed up; and thirdly, that the coordination between the EU and the member states is insufficient because governance tools are lacking.

I wonder if the Minister has read this report and how he intends to pursue these issues in the Council of Ministers.

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Madam Speaker! I am aware of this report. It is to be prepared in the usual manner, so it is a bit too early to comment on exact paths forward. I can, however, say that the AI issue is generally discussed very much within the EU and here in Sweden.

We have just adopted the AI Act, which now creates the first regulation of AI in the entire world. It will be a regulation that applies to the entire internal market, which I believe is good. If correctly regulated, this can contribute to enhanced innovation and to strengthening Europe's competitiveness, even though there is, of course, also a risk that we regulate the market into oblivion.

Furthermore, Sweden has appointed an AI commission which has now reported that it wishes to shorten the investigation period by half, so that it will already in October present its proposal on how Sweden should sharpen itself and become even sharper to receive or utilize all of AI's possibilities moving forward. Here, the work together with the rest of the EU will be very important.

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Martin Westmont (SD)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Civil Affairs Erik Slottner. It concerns the fact that food prices have increased significantly in recent years, which has contributed to many households having very small margins.

An approach that companies use to hide that the price of a product has been raised is to make the packaging smaller while the price remains the same, so-called shrinkflation. By increasing awareness among consumers about this procedure, we can contribute to increasing competition between different brands, which ultimately benefits the consumers.

Does the Minister see the problems with shrinkflation, and is there any measure we could take so that the information to consumers would be better?

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Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Madam Speaker! I thank Martin Westmont for the question.

I believe that we can do a part of this regarding this issue. When inflation became a real problem in Sweden and everyone could note the rapidly rising food prices, we gave, among other things, the Swedish Competition Authority the assignment to make consumers more price-aware. This was a concrete assignment we gave to our authorities.

We have now introduced the Price Information Act, which is fundamentally an EU directive. It will become more difficult for sellers to manipulate buyers with different types of information that are not really comparable. This law is now being implemented.

The Consumer Agency has carried out a number of inspections which show several deficiencies. We will now need to continue to rectify these deficiencies.

It is important that consumers in general are well informed, so that they can make comparisons themselves and thereby become better consumers. We can certainly make several efforts to strengthen this.

(Applause)

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

Olle Thorell (S)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Development Cooperation Forssell and concerns the part of the Swedish aid that is channeled through Swedish party-affiliated organizations.

The revelations about the Sweden Democrats' troll factories, aimed at anonymously manipulating the democratic conversation by spreading disinformation, hate, and alternative facts, are very serious. It is something much more serious than just other Tidö parties feeling stepped on. The risks of spreading such methods must be taken most seriously.

I would therefore like to ask Minister for Development Cooperation Forssell: Now that the government is changing the aid intermediary and guaranteeing SD a given share of the party-linked aid, in what way can the minister guarantee that Swedish tax money is not used so that the Sweden Democrats get the opportunity to export their troll factory methods to other countries?

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Statsrådet Johan Forssell (M)

Madam Speaker! I thank Olle Thorell for the question.

As we have said several times, we are very critical of information being spread with anonymous accounts, regardless of whether it is the Sweden Democrats or if it is Olle Thorell's own party comrades who are doing it. We have also tightened the controls in Swedish aid very significantly. Unlike before, we now set clear goals for quality, efficiency, and results.

As Olle Thorell probably knows, it is not the government that designs the controls, but we have an administrative model in Sweden which instead means that it is the responsible authorities that do so. I do not believe that I or any other minister have any intention of changing that administrative model at this question period.

When it comes to the support for the party-affiliated aid organizations, it is correct that we have changed it. We think it is reasonable that this aid goes to all democratically elected parties in this chamber, not just to a few, and above all, perhaps not just to the Social Democrats.

We are changing it, and at the same time, we are setting clear rules for quality and efficiency.

(Applause)

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Leif Nysmed (S)

Madam Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister Andreas Carlson. I am following up on the question regarding Spårväg syd that my party colleague Kadir Kasirga asked earlier.

I am pleased that that part has not been deprioritized. It is a very important infrastructure part for the southern parts of Stockholm so that we can have a functioning housing market and labor market.

The problem, however, is that the costs for this have become more expensive. The signal from the state has now been that Region Stockholm and the two affected municipalities, Stockholm and Huddinge, shall take responsibility for the increased cost and that the state shall not do so. Therefore, municipal representatives and regional representatives have requested to meet with the government.

Right now, approximately 20,000 homes are at risk in Huddinge and in Stockholm. I think that for a Minister for Housing, it is an important issue not to stop another 20,000 homes. My question is therefore: Is the Minister prepared to work to ensure that the state provides more funds to enable Spårväg syd?

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Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)

Madam Speaker! I have no other answer to give than the one I have just given. I referred to the fact that the government has appointed a chairperson for the Sweden negotiations, Catharina Håkansson Boman, who is responsible for reaching an agreement with the other parties if changes occur in the projects.

Spårväg syd has a total budget of 3.8 billion in 2019 prices in the agreement. State funding is provided with 1,681 million from the national plan and the county plan, as well as with 727 million from the congestion tax. The remaining parts are financed by Region Stockholm and the municipalities of Stockholm and Huddinge. Additionally, there is a risk reserve set aside of 400 million kronor. I have received indications that more measures can also be found by trimming in the project.

All this is now included in the mandate of the Sweden negotiator to find a way forward with the other parties if changes occur in the projects. I refer to that answer and thank you for the commitment.

(Applause)

Question time was hereby concluded.

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