Question Time

FÖRSTE VICE TALMANNEN

I would like to welcome the ministers. Questions will be answered today by Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson, Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, and Minister for Health Elisabet Lann.

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. Infrastructure and Housing Minister Andreas Carlson answers both general political questions as well as questions within his own area of responsibility.

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Markus Kallifatides (S)

Mr. Speaker! Housing construction has crashed. It affects individuals who need a home, construction workers who become unemployed, and construction apprentices who do not get practical placements when housing construction falls like a stone. Companies go bankrupt. Society as a whole cannot grow. We cannot offer good housing, and growth in Sweden is being held back.

Housing construction is thus down to 30,000 reported construction starts. What is needed is 52,000 completed homes per year. These 30,000 are therefore not shovels in the ground, and we will have to see how it turns out based on the demand that actually exists.

We can observe that around 10,000 unemployed construction workers are in the Byggnads unemployment insurance fund and that every fourth worker in the Swedish timber industry has been laid off.

Andreas Carlson, responsible minister, cannot be satisfied with this. My simple question is: What should he and the government have done differently?

(Applause)

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Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! No, no one can be satisfied with that situation. But it has not arisen by chance over the last three years, and Markus Kallifatides knows that very well.

For eight years, when the Social Democrats had the chance to implement reforms such as shortening lead times, changing and simplifying building regulations, and making land available in attractive locations, they did not do enough. Despite the fact that we then had an economic boom and a situation where it was even free to borrow money during certain periods, enough housing was not built, according to Boverket's estimated construction needs. Markus Kallifatides is aware of this.

What the government has done since day one is to address structural obstacles. We are implementing massive regulatory simplifications. We are working to shorten lead times and lower the costs of construction. We are enabling more people to realize their housing dreams by removing the tightened amortization requirement and raising the mortgage ceiling so that the down payment requirement is lowered.

This lowers the threshold so that more people can realize their housing dream. We are not finished. We have only just begun.

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Markus Kallifatides (S)

Mr. Speaker! I could not perceive any self-criticism here, but the government and the minister are nevertheless fairly satisfied with what has been done.

Bankruptcies are at record levels within the construction sector. It concerns over 6,000 companies in bankruptcy during the period from 2023 to today, according to Tillväxtanalys. The construction of small houses, which the government and the minister are keen to highlight, is the lowest in Sweden in 100 years.

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Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! For everyone listening to this, it is possible to rewind and listen. I recommend that Markus Kallifatides do that. I said that no one can be satisfied. But it is a very high tone, and one beats one's chest for a policy that has actually put us in the situation that we have.

It is clear that it would have been better if all that we are now implementing to address structural barriers so that it becomes easier and cheaper to build, such as shortening lead times and changing building regulations, had been in place before we entered a recession. Then more could have been built. Now we have addressed it, and it will make things better.

(Applause)

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Leonid Yurkovskiy (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Health Elisabet Lann. It concerns the medical record systems, which are perhaps the clearest symptom of the regions' inadequacy regarding the responsibility for healthcare.

We have for a long time been able to follow the very serious deficiencies, the recurring deficiencies, which are linked to the regions' management of precisely the journal systems. But quite recently we were also struck by the fact that deaths have been able to be disconnected by staff from some of the journal systems.

The suffering of the patients and the burden on the staff is, of course, the most problematic aspect of this, but the cost itself is also completely unacceptable. It is colossal – up to 20 million per region and month. We are being deceived.

I am very pleased that the colleague Minister for Health Jakob Forssmed raised this on Monday and gave a mandate to the Public Health Agency. But the Minister for Health and Care has the overall responsibility for how healthcare functions, and therefore my question is how Elisabet Lann views the development towards a more nationally coherent and harmonized healthcare.

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Sjukvårdsministern Elisabet Lann (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thanks to the questioner, who raises an incredibly important issue!

I believe that, historically, we have talked too little about how important this type of support system is for the healthcare system to function. We have a situation today where it is a truly major work environment problem for those working in healthcare with systems that are running and not functioning satisfactorily.

Work is underway to establish the national digital infrastructure. I just think it is important to keep in mind that it is not to replace the regions' journal systems, but it is more about building the roads. Then it is possible to drive on the roads with somewhat different vehicles, to use a metaphor or comparison. But it is important that all these journal systems and data can be shared in a purposeful and patient-safe manner.

We are also taking steps towards increased state control in all areas within healthcare, and it is for the sake of patient safety and to avoid this type of failure.

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Leonid Yurkovskiy (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Thanks to the Minister for Health and Social Affairs for the very important announcement!

Now there are only two parties in the Swedish Riksdag that are for state ownership. But it is still all parties that vote for increased state responsibility, and I think that is very important and telling.

While waiting for us to move towards increased state responsibility and for all those things to fall into place, I wonder how this situation will be handled so that the problems do not continue. Just this fact that there are different vehicles worries me a bit. Before the care becomes more cohesive, how are we going to ensure that the regions do not fail?

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Sjukvårdsministern Elisabet Lann (KD)

Mr. Speaker! When it comes specifically to the digital infrastructure, I must refer to the responsible Minister. But otherwise, we are taking a number of initiatives in very many areas.

We are increasing harmonization and making knowledge management more cohesive to avoid too many steering signals to healthcare. It shall be cohesive and evidence-based, also by Socialstyrelsen working much more operationally close with the regions today to implement and extract the knowledge support.

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Gudrun Nordborg (V)

Mr. Speaker! I address the Minister for Justice.

The government has decided to rent prison places in Tartu in Estonia. This is intended to apply to 600 places. Vänsterpartiet has been critical and opposed this.

I have recently been informed that Kriminalvården's own investigation shows that 62 clients could be suitable for execution in Estonia.

My question to the Minister is: Can this be correct, and does this low figure, if so, create concern regarding the implementation of the agreement?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Gudrun Nordborg, for the opportunity to discuss this extraordinarily important issue!

It is unfortunately symptomatic that Vänsterpartiet has been against this, because Vänsterpartiet is against all reforms regardless of whether it is about fighting crime, preventing crime, or locking up those who commit serious crimes.

If we were to continue as we have done so far, that is, on the path that had the Left Party's blessing, nothing would have happened in any of these respects. I am incredibly happy that we have now in a fortunate way been able to reach an agreement with Estonia, one of our most important neighboring countries in the Nordic-Baltic context, to be able to rent up to 600 accommodation places from August onwards.

It is clear that it will be filled gradually. It is in the nature of the matter, just as it is when it comes to all other new construction and availability of places. The Prison and Probation Service is fully committed to the fact that we will fill the places we need. This can in particular be seen in light of the strained situation that the Left left behind.

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Gudrun Nordborg (V)

Mr. Speaker! My follow-up question concerns which criteria apply when choosing who should be placed in Estonia. I wonder how this is to be carried out and whether the figure I have been informed about also implies that those admitted have agreed to the execution of their sentences in Tartu.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! The criteria are very clear. This corresponds to a Swedish security class 2 facility, and that means it is not an option to send, for example, persons who have committed very serious crimes in the gang criminal environment or who have committed terrorist crimes or other similar crimes. Otherwise, however, it is possible to place prisoners who correspond to security class 2 there.

This is not based on consent – it is based just as little on consent as any other placement in the criminal justice system. It is not bad if one can reach an agreement, but it is also not a requirement. These places will be filled, and they are needed.

(Applause)

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Ulrika Liljeberg (C)

Mr. Speaker! Many people have views on the government's policy, but some of all those who express themselves nevertheless have a special status. These are the Fiscal Policy Council, the Climate Policy Council, and the Council on Legislation. These are authorities with a mandate to review precisely the government's policy, and the Council on Legislation's mandate is in the constitution.

All these three bodies have, in their annual reports and in their many opinions, issued scathing criticism of the government. The Council on Legislation says that the preparation is deficient and that the proposals can hardly be used as legislation. We see, however, that the government nonchalantly ignores, downplays, and many times completely dismisses the recommendations of the Fiscal Policy Council and the Climate Policy Council and the Council on Legislation's many opinions.

My question to the Minister for Justice concerns the Council on Legislation. Is the government considering any changes to the Council on Legislation's function or mandate?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Ulrika Liljeberg, for the opportunity to discuss these important issues!

I want to start by saying that the Center Party once set an unbeatable standard when it comes to nonchalancing the Council on Legislation, and that concerned the issue of unaccompanied minors. It has probably never been written so sharply by the Council on Legislation regarding a single legislative product as in that case. However, it did not prevent the Center Party from, in direct opposition to the Council on Legislation's very strong advisories, joining the Left and voting through that reform.

We take the Council on Legislation's opinion very seriously. If one looks, in particular, at the criminal law area – the major reforms regarding non-autonomous crime forms, psychological violence, and the broad criminal reform – we are making major adjustments in light of the Council on Legislation's views. This applies especially to legal technical issues, systematics, and other matters.

Parts of the area of review also touch upon things that are more in the intersection between law and politics, for example when one evaluates the underlying purpose of the legislation and whether, for example, one should have high or low penalties. In those parts, we have made a different assessment, and in those cases, we have also justified very extensively how we have thought and why.

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Ulrika Liljeberg (C)

Mr. Speaker! If I knew that this was a competition in not obeying the Council on Legislation, I must admit, although I am a competitive person, that I lose by a landslide this time, and I do not think this is a standard to follow.

We in the Center Party believe that the Council on Legislation has an important function in our liberal democracy. We often receive complaints that we are against rapid legislation. The Center Party likes rapid legislation, but it must not be substandard. It therefore feels good to hear that the minister highlights the Council on Legislation's extraordinarily important role.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! The fact is that during this parliamentary term, we are strengthening the role of the Council on Legislation by expanding their mandate to cover all issues of freedom and rights, including those found in the Instrument of Government. We are, therefore, a government that strengthens the role of the Council on Legislation.

When these legislative products reach the Riksdag, it will be interesting to see whether the Center Party will then oppose double penalties for gang criminals or whether repeated counts of aggravated rape can lead to life imprisonment. These are other important reforms that have been part of the packages that the Council on Legislation has dealt with, but which we believe are so urgent in substance that they must be taken forward to the Riksdag and that they must be realized.

(Applause)

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Jacob Risberg (MP)

Mr. Speaker! In July 2024, the International Court of Justice issued a ruling stating that the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, is illegal and must be dismantled. It also stated that the international community, that is, all member states of the UN, must in no way support Israel's settlement policy, either financially or politically.

My question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs is how the Minister interprets how one should live up to the International Court of Justice's ruling and what the government is doing to ensure that this responsibility is fulfilled.

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Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Jacob Risberg, for the question!

The government views the developments in the West Bank with great concern and argues, in line with a number of countries, that we need to put greater pressure on the Israeli government so that it will cease this behavior.

To increase the pressure, Sweden, together with France, has recently proposed that the European Commission should submit proposals to strengthen the EU's differentiation policy between trade from Israel and trade from the illegal settlements. We will continue to push for this, and I will more concretely continue to do so on Monday, when the Council meets again.

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Jacob Risberg (MP)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Minister for Foreign Affairs, for the answer!

It is not only states that have a responsibility or a relation to Israel, but investors and companies can also have one – for example, Swedish companies and investors.

I therefore wonder how the government assists these in interpreting the International Court of Justice's statement to ensure that Swedish companies or investors do not violate international law.

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Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Mr. Speaker! It seems that more and more people believe that the UD has a role as a legal advisor. We do not have that, in general.

I see, above all, a role for the government in pushing forward specifically in the council constellation. That is why we have also done this towards Israeli ministers who in an extreme way are pushing for the settlement policy that is illegal. We also want to see an expanded sanctions policy against extremist settlers, and that too we will continue to push for.

(Applause)

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Charlotte Nordström (M)

Mr. Speaker! I have a question for the Minister for Justice.

Sweden appears to be set to be the first in the EU with legislation against gangs' recruitment advertisements online. What does that mean, Minister for Justice, for the possibility of combating what is called crime as a service?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker and Charlotte Nordström! When it comes to combating terrorism and recruitment to violent extremism, the police today have excellent tools supported by legislation to quickly take down advertisements. Corresponding possibilities do not exist legally today when it comes to the gangs' recruitment of children, and this is what we are now changing.

Sweden will be the first in the EU to present a law to remove recruitment advertisements online. No other member state has such a law, and for Europe, it is a major milestone that Sweden is now taking the lead and doing this. It is, in short, about the police being given the opportunity to order platforms to take down recruitment advertisements targeted at children within one hour. Otherwise, the platforms can be hit with sanctions of up to 5 million kronor. We are convinced that this will have an impact.

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Charlotte Nordström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Very well, Minister for Justice! Furthermore, the proposal has been developed via a fast track: the referral period was shortened, and the EU Commission granted exemptions from the freezing period. Nevertheless, the Social Democrats have criticized the pace. How credible is that criticism? And how does the Minister view the possibilities of the law actually entering into force as early as July 15?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! One could say that the Social Democrats' eight years in power were characterized by a basic chord of too little and too late. It is clear that the credibility when one directs a corresponding accusation against this government is somewhat limited – especially when one lets one's friends in the coalition report me to the KU just because it is going too fast and we are doing too much. That, the opposition may coordinate in an appropriate manner.

We have done this as quickly as we possibly can. We did not conduct an external investigation; instead, it was done internally at the ministry. It was referred for two months, and we got the EU to say that a four-month freeze was not needed in this case. Now the proposal is with the Council on Legislation, and soon it will be here in the chamber. If you in the Riksdag are ready to work on it – and if all members are present – we will also be able to vote on it before the summer.

(Applause)

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Dan Hovskär (KD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Health and Social Affairs Elisabet Lann.

Today, it is not only medical needs that determine what care patients in Sweden receive, but also where in the country they live. It matters which of the 21 regions one happens to live in. For many, this appears as a healthcare lottery, and it is not reasonable. For us Christian Democrats, equal care is a fundamental principle. It should be the need, not the place of residence, that decides. Therefore, we are pushing for increased state responsibility for healthcare.

The Care Responsibility Committee has also been clear on several decisive areas. Stronger national governance is required, and there is a broad majority regarding six particularly important areas where the state needs to take greater responsibility. My question to the Minister is: How does the Minister view the implementation of these proposals? What concrete steps does the government intend to take to strengthen a more equal healthcare system throughout the country through state governance?

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Sjukvårdsministern Elisabet Lann (KD)

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

Just as the member points out, there is a broad consensus that the state needs to take increased responsibility in several areas. The Healthcare Responsibility Committee identified a number of such areas in its work but was not particularly finished regarding how this should occur, so to speak.

Since the report was submitted to the then Minister for Health and Social Affairs, the government has taken initiatives in several areas. Among other things, an investigation has been commissioned to review how the state can take greater responsibility within pharmaceuticals and vaccines. We have given a supplementary directive to the state investigation *Behovsstyrd vård* to strengthen the patient's position, including through increased sanctions. We have taken several initiatives in the area of competence supply. We have also switched to managing the state grants, through regulation, through Socialstyrelsen instead of through SKR. These are some examples.

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Dan Hovskär (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank the Minister for the answer.

I also have another question. Historically, the healthcare queues decreased when, for example, Göran Hägglund was Minister for Health and the Christian Democrats were part of the government. Today we see that the development is once again moving in the right direction when it comes to the healthcare queues. What is the government doing concretely to reduce the healthcare queues here and now?

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Sjukvårdsministern Elisabet Lann (KD)

Mr. Speaker! The government is working on several fronts because there is no single reason why the queues are so long out there. During this parliamentary term, we have allocated 25 billion kronor just to the work of increasing accessibility and shortening the queues, and that is why we see results. As part of this, we have directed support directly to a number of one-off interventions – which can be cleared quite quickly if one focuses on them – to reduce the pressure on the entire healthcare system. We have also appointed a national queue coordinator.

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Mauricio Rojas (L)

Mr. Speaker! During the first four months of this year, 28 shootings occurred, and 7 people lost their lives. Four years ago, the corresponding figures were 135 shootings and 26 dead. That was the legacy after just over seven years of a Social Democratic government.

We must not forget how it looked, but we must also not rest on our laurels. Even though the development is moving in the right direction, there is still a serious violence remaining, not least in the form of explosions. The question to the Minister for Justice is therefore simple: What does the government intend to do to ensure that we never return to the catastrophic situation that the Social Democrats left behind?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Mauricio Rojas, for the opportunity to discuss this important issue!

To begin with, it is a reality that the fatal shootings tripled between 2012 and 2022, when we took over. The outcome in 2022 was 62 fatal shootings. Norway had 4, Denmark had 4 and Finland 2, so it was an exceptional record. I also want to say that this was thus the peak of an increase that had been ongoing for ten years.

That we managed to break with joint efforts. Today we can state that, on an annual basis, we have halved the deadly violence linked to the gangs, and the first quarter of this year looks even better. This means that we are on the right track, but we are really not there yet.

It is clear that the election this autumn will to a very large extent be about this issue. Shall we now continue on the path we have set out, that is, not deviate from the new course and not slow down the pace of the work to also tackle all the remaining violence, which causes so much suffering for crime victims and society as a whole? Or shall we go back to the left-wing politics that to a large extent caused, or in any case worsened, the problems and the inability to act that prevailed under the previous government? It will be an important debate this autumn.

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Mauricio Rojas (L)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Minister, for the answer! You are certainly right in what you say.

At the same time, we can observe a very concerning development in this context: 127 children under the age of 15 were suspected of involvement in murder or murder plots during 2025. This is a dramatic increase compared to previous years. My question is therefore: What specific measures does the government intend to take to stop the recruitment of children into serious crime?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Yes, this underlines that we must do several things at the same time. We must, of course, work against the violence, break the recruitment of the children and choke the criminal economy which, so to speak, drives the violence and the recruitment.

The reason we have ended up in this situation is that recruitment has moved from the schoolyard and the football pitch into the mobile phones. Then crime prevention must move accordingly, and that is what it is doing now. We spoke earlier about the possibility of taking down the recruitment advertisements in the digital environment. The police have also been granted the right to enter mobile phones when it concerns children under 15 to reach those who are recruiting them, and we will lock up those who recruit the children three times as long – if the toughening of the penalty that was questioned earlier is approved.

(Applause)

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Carina Ödebrink (S)

Mr. Speaker! In its government statements, the government has spoken about infrastructure for jobs and growth, about railways for commuting and freight transport, and about a cohesive Sweden. But in the national plan, the government is now removing important railway priorities in both Jönköping and Östergötland counties. These are projects that the municipalities, regions, and Trafikverket have worked on for decades and where there has been a broad political consensus. It is about jobs, growth, competitiveness, industrial transport, redundancy, and the green transition in all of Sweden.

My question to the Minister for Infrastructure is: Can the government really be trusted given that the municipalities' and regions' most important priorities are being removed?

(Applause)

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Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! It is possible to trust the government and that the government uses the taxpayers' money in the most efficient way possible.

It is brave of Carina Ödebrink to highlight the change we are making in Jönköping. The cost for this project has soared by 97 percent since it first entered the plans. It is a project that would have meant reduced work commuting, as one would have had to demolish the railway in Tabergsdalen. Now we are upgrading existing infrastructure so that those who live in Tabergsdalen can continue to travel by train. They want that railway, and we are upgrading it.

We ensure that we do not destroy agricultural land or the business opportunities in Tenhult. Even there, one is positive. We secure significantly more train stops than what was in the previous proposal. We save a total of 2.7 billion kronor that can be used in other ways.

This is a necessary prioritization that has been received surprisingly well in support of the government's infrastructure policy for commuting to work.

(Applause)

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Angelica Lundberg (SD)

Mr. Speaker! The prescription periods for less serious crimes are often short, while the police naturally prioritize serious crime. This leads to long investigation times.

The Sweden Democrats and the government have taken important steps to strengthen the justice system, but I am concerned that a potential shift in power could lead to crime victims being left in the shadows once again. The focus must continue to be on those affected by crime – on people whose everyday lives are shattered and who feel insecure.

When investigations drag on so much that crimes are prescribed before charges are filed, we risk both the credibility of the justice system and the crime victim's right to redress. I want to ask what measures the Minister for Justice intends to take to ensure that crimes are investigated in a timely manner and are not prescribed due to long processing times.

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Angelica Lundberg, for the opportunity to discuss these important issues today!

What Angelica Lundberg says is completely correct. A fundamental chord in the shift we are implementing is to put the crime victim and societal protection at the center – not the perpetrator. An incredibly important part of the redress is to achieve an investigation that leads to a conviction, so that the crime victim receives the redress that lies in this.

That is why it is important for us to remove the prescription periods entirely, or at least extend them significantly regarding young people, when it comes to very serious crimes. With today's technical possibilities, it is reasonable that such crimes are not prescribed. We often see examples where very old serious crimes can be solved with new technology.

When it comes to less serious crime, it is primarily about speeding up the investigations. We have given the police a very clear mandate. We see a great success when it comes to violent crime – the crime clearance rate has more than doubled. That way of working must now also be used to deal with the crime that affects citizens in everyday life. That is the most important thing to achieve the desired crime clearance.

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Håkan Svenneling (V)

Mr. Speaker! Once again, Israel violated international law when they boarded several ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off the coast of Greece. The flotilla once again aimed to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. Almost all were returned to Greece, but two people were taken to Israel under brutal conditions. One of them is a Swedish-Spanish man. The men's bodies show clear signs of physical and psychological abuse.

The Foreign Minister has commented both before and after the arrests. Yesterday, the UN demanded the release of the two men. They have now been in Israeli captivity for over a week. Is the Foreign Minister prepared to summon Israel's ambassador and condemn the illegal arrests and all other crimes on the long list of crimes that Israel's far-right government has committed?

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Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Håkan Svenneling, for the question!

I note with concern that the ships that have not yet been stopped by Israel plan to continue their journey towards Gaza. I want to make it clear that it is very risky to make that journey. As I have said before, Sweden has no possibility of providing consular support at sea. UD has information that a Swedish citizen is on board one of the boats included in the flotilla, which is now located off Greece.

It is true that a Swedish man is being held in custody by Israel. He holds both Swedish and Spanish citizenship. Sweden has been granted consular access on a number of occasions, most recently today. Prior to the arrest, I was in contact with my Israeli counterpart and stated that I assume that all rights, including the existing consular rights, will be respected.

We are following this very closely.

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Anne-Li Sjölund (C)

Mr. Speaker! I would like to ask a question to Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson.

First, I want to thank the government for putting back the parts of the New East Coast Line that were first removed. It is not just about railway tracks but also about jobs, climate and growth, and about companies being able to continue to hire and invest. We are very grateful for that.

However, point interventions are not enough; a clear overall perspective and long-term vision are needed. Ahead of the 2022 election – and also afterwards – Ulf Kristersson and Ebba Busch promised that the New East Coast Line would be completed by 2035. This created confidence for companies and people along the coast. In the infrastructure plan that was just presented, however, clear decisions on the implementation of double tracks are missing.

When will the government's long-term plan for the entire Nya Ostkustbanan be available so that the pledge to build away the bottlenecks by 2035 can be kept?

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Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! The government gave a very clear message in the national plan for transport infrastructure by reinforcing the double track on the Ostkustbanan and changing from what Trafikverket proposed, which meant that one project would be dropped and that a major rethink would be made regarding another. This was the largest change in the entire plan.

Regarding the Ostkustbanan, the message is very clear: We see this corridor as an important route for all of Sweden to function. This is a very important section in a north-south direction. This is a message that we have now given.

Previously, we have announced that we will strengthen and upgrade the Inlandsbanan to have redundancy in the north-south direction. We are also carrying out extensive maintenance measures. This is something that has been neglected for a long time, but this year we are achieving a record amount of maintenance in the Swedish railway network and the road network. We are upgrading Swedish infrastructure – I believe that Anne-Li Sjölund agrees that this is a positive announcement.

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

Annika Hirvonen (MP)

Mr. Speaker! Last week I sat next to Rabea. She is 95 years old and has lived in Sweden for over 20 years. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren live side by side with her. All are Swedish citizens. Thank you so much, that was what she could say to me with her thin voice when I held a hand with skin that was thinner than paper.

A person so small, old, and fragile is now to be deported alone to Iraq. Perhaps she will be forced to live her final years alone and in fear, without her loved ones. The government's inhumane deportation policy has set a new record low. We in Miljöpartiet appeal to the government to reintroduce the humanitarian basis that stops unreasonable and inhumane deportations.

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

Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Annika Hirvonen for the question.

I cannot comment on individual cases, but I can speak for the government's policy. We pursue a strict migration policy, but we have also signaled changes in a very important direction. It is not about going back to the order that prevailed before 2015, but it is about Sweden having an orderly migration policy and integration capacity. I believe that Annika Hirvonen is well aware of this. It is the line that the government pursues.

As I said, Mr. Speaker, it is not possible for me to comment on individual cases in the chamber of the Riksdag. Otherwise, I refer to the responsible minister.

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

David Josefsson (M)

Mr. Speaker! The opposition parties in the Riksdag argue that owned housing should be taxed more heavily in different ways. The Left Party proposes in its budget motion that the property tax should be reintroduced – a proposal that in my hometown of Gothenburg would mean over 46,000 kronor in tax for an ordinary family in an ordinary villa. The Social Democrats want to top it up with a mortgage tax which for the same household can amount to over 1,000 kronor a month. The Green Party demands that the rot deduction should be restricted to only green renovations. This means that the same family would not be able to use rot for, for example, drainage or building a room for the youngest child.

My question to the Minister for Housing is: Does he believe that increased taxes on housing is the right way to go if, at the same time, one wants more people to be able to live in their own house?

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

Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! No, it is really not the right way forward, and David Josefsson is pointing out something important as we now approach an election. One has a choice to make, and it is a matter of reading the fine print and the product declaration for every party included in the intended government basis that wants to raise taxes on virtually everything that moves, on housing, on ROT, on flights, so that there are fewer flight routes, and on fuel, so that it becomes even more expensive to refuel. Look closely at the product declaration before this election!

Just over 60 percent of all Swedish households own their home. It concerns ordinary, hard-working people in terraced houses, condominiums and villas across the entire country. Introducing a tax on housing would hit very many people in our elongated country in an already tough economic situation.

This is, therefore, a very important question, and the answer is: No, it would not become better if one raised taxes on housing.

(Applause)

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

Kjell-Arne Ottosson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Many have waited with excitement for the government's decision regarding the infrastructure plan, and we have already heard several questions about this. Everyone wants to get money for their road or railway even though one knows that it will not happen despite a large monetary investment.

I was myself one of those who did not draw a winning lot because E18 in western Värmland was not included this time – even though Värmland received other much-needed investments, not least on the railway side.

According to the transport companies' mapping of the road network on våravägar.se, just over a third of all state roads are in poor condition. How will that change with the new national plan? And can the roads that did not win the lottery be upgraded in other ways?

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

Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Kjell-Arne Ottosson is completely right that priorities are required. Despite a record-breaking infrastructure budget of a total of 1,200 billion kronor, the needs continue to be greater than the resources. Therefore, it is important to make the right priorities.

I can reassure Kjell-Arne Ottosson that all overdue road maintenance in all of Värmland will be eliminated in just twelve years, i.e., within a national plan.

This is a historic investment in the upgrading of roads in our elongated country. The Christian Democrats went to the election on a platform of fixing the roads, and I am very pleased that the government, together with its coalition partner, is now delivering on this election promise – something that was also pointed out in the first government statement.

Yes, the roads in Värmland will be renovated. We are not sweeping the maintenance debt under the rug but have mapped it out. Now we also have a plan to address the maintenance debt and also funds, a total of 350 billion, to amortize it away.

(Applause)

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

Leif Nysmed (S)

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

I note that the Minister for Housing, in his response to Markus Kallifatides, does not previously take responsibility for the four lost years of housing construction under this government. Construction has been halved. During our eight years, nearly half a million homes were built with the old building regulations that they now want to simplify in order to produce more housing. But it is not relaxations in the building regulations that make more housing being built, it is the economy. We have submitted a number of proposals over the years to take responsibility.

My question concerns why the government has not appointed a housing commission to address the catastrophically low housing construction. It is not we Social Democrats who want a housing commission, it is the construction industry. They have requested it since day one and continue to do so even today.

My question to the Minister for Housing is: Given the low level of housing construction, why are you not listening to the construction industry?

(Applause)

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

Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I can reassure Leif Nysmed that we are listening to the construction industry. But it is not more talk, but more workshop that will make construction increase. It is about removing the structural hurdles, shortening lead times, simplifying building regulations, and ensuring that one can build in more places in Sweden.

It is nevertheless telling that Leif Nysmed beats his chest when it comes to construction during the eight years the Social Democrats were in power, when they did not reach the Swedish Board for Building's construction demand forecast for even a single year, despite a boom and despite the fact that it was almost free to borrow for several years.

We have had a recession and low inflation, but now the housing construction is starting to turn upwards. We also see that the structural reform to simplify student housing construction means that more and cheaper apartments for students can be built. It is an effect, and there will be more.

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

Björn Tidland (SD)

Mr. Speaker! My question is directed to Andreas Carlson.

There are approximately 1,700 small hydropower plants in Sweden, and they are an important part of Sweden's preparedness. If Sweden is to be resilient in war, these must function and deliver electricity if the large power plants are knocked out.

Now, however, a massive shutdown of Sweden's small hydropower plants is threatening, especially those producing less than 200 kilowatts. The problem is all of the EU's directives, which have caused the hydropower owners to get stuck in a bureaucratic swamp with unreasonable costs. Strong signals from the industry organization indicate widespread dissatisfaction with the authorities' actions and their interpretations of their directives.

So to the question itself: Does the Minister consider that the directives for the relevant authorities need to become clearer so that Sweden can retain its small hydropower plants?

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

Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Björn Tidland for the question.

We have during the mandate period taken large steps to strengthen the entire electricity system in both the short and long term. We are building new production, strengthening the power balance, and creating conditions for new nuclear power.

But just as importantly, it is to make use of what we already have, and here small-scale hydropower plays an important role. Therefore, we have done three things. For the first, we have paused the reassessment of the environmental permits for hydropower, which has been completely decisive in gaining control over the consequences for electricity production to avoid that fully functioning facilities are shut down. For the second, we have changed the regulatory framework step by step. Among other things, the importance of hydropower has been given greater weight in the environmental quality standards. For the third, we have strengthened the competence in the system by giving Svenska kraftnät and Energimyndigheten a clearer role and by ensuring that hydropower competence exists in the water delegations.

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

Isabell Mixter (V)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Elisabet Lann.

Doctors at Kry meet 100 patients a day. It is obvious to all of us that it is not about any more serious conditions if one can see 100 patients a day. Rather, it is about those that can be addressed by googling. The online doctors at Kry are egged on to see more and more patients, which obviously results in an uncertain and insecure care.

Digital care is obviously not bad in any way, but it must be carried out in a serious manner and not through unscrupulous profit-driven companies. The bill of hundreds of millions is sent to the regions. A perfectly good alternative is 1177, which is publicly run.

What does the Minister intend to do to clean up the unserious online doctor industry?

(Applause)

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

Sjukvårdsministern Elisabet Lann (KD)

Mr. Speaker! The government has already acted in this matter, and we did so before the review. It is not a new problem. It emerged during previous parliamentary terms when the online doctor industry took off. It did not come out of a vacuum either. It came from the problem with inaccessible primary care that very many citizens experience and which causes them to seek out online companies.

The previous government had plenty of time to act on the issue but chose not to do so. The government has commissioned a special investigator to look into needs-based care. She will return shortly with proposals on how to handle the out-of-county fee.

It is the regions themselves and SKR who own this issue, because the government does not. What has happened during this time is unfortunately that they have not taken the opportunity to resolve this, and instead, the drainage has been able to continue.

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

Anna Lasses (C)

Mr. Speaker! These are two of thousands of comments from my social media: "When the hell are you going to stop your fucking nagging, you old hag." "Muslims are not human! They are a dangerous virus."

Right now, a conference is taking place here in the House on hate and threats. According to Brå, 60 percent of all of us Members of Parliament and 30 percent of regional and municipal politicians are subjected to this.

The issue of hate and threats against politicians, but also against girls, women, and others, is really not new. When are we going to focus on the perpetrators, often middle-aged men, and find ways to stop this misery?

I asked the question to the Prime Minister on March 14, and I am now asking it to the Minister for Justice: What is the government doing concretely to stop hate and threats on social media?

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

Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Anna Lasses, for the opportunity to discuss this important issue today!

The fact is that we are doing very much to strengthen the criminal law protection, not least for civil servants, politicians and journalists, in relation to hate and violence.

We are fortunately in a situation in Sweden where our democracy is very robust. We are ranked highest in the world regarding the independence of the courts, our freedom of the press, and our electoral system.

It does not prevent us from also having our challenges. One such challenge is an increasingly harsh climate in relation to not only political decision-makers but also to others, both in social media and elsewhere.

What is important from our side is to clarify the norm for what our society accepts. One important such thing is to strengthen the criminal law protection for all who are exposed to this, and that is what we do.

Furthermore, we have clarified the responsibility regarding local politicians who are vulnerable. They have previously to a large extent been very alone. It is one of the most important reforms of the mandate period to also turn the gaze towards the local context.

(Applause)

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

Lorena Delgado Varas (-)

Mr. Speaker! I would like to begin by thanking Håkan Svenneling for the question about Thiago and Saif from Global Sumud Flotilla.

My question is a bit different. A fair is taking place in Kista, Data Innovation Summit. There is a speaker there named Amir Vashkover, who represents Philips.

He was an IOF soldier during 2023 and 2024 – IOF, which bombed buildings and committed other war crimes in Gaza. I would like to take this opportunity to urge people to report this.

The question I want to ask is: Will the government hand over perpetrators of genocide who are in Sweden to the International Criminal Court in The Hague if the court has issued an arrest warrant?

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

Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Lorena Delgado Varas, for the question!

We follow Swedish law. We are also bound by the rules that apply by reason of our affiliation with the various international courts. If an arrest warrant has been issued, it must naturally be handled within the regulatory framework that applies to that.

Normally, handling is carried out first by, among others, the Prosecution Authority. I do not want to anticipate that type of decision from the authorities' side. If the right conditions are met, the government will, of course, act in accordance with what is expected of us regarding our international commitments.

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

Ellen Juntti (M)

Mr. Speaker! Recently, the government received the report Interpreter Fees and Prohibition of Child Interpretation. The purpose is to increase the motivation to learn Swedish and thereby become a part of Swedish society. The investigation proposes the introduction of interpreter fees, but not in criminal proceedings.

In my previous job as a criminal inspector, I often conducted police interrogations with people who needed an interpreter. Some had lived in Sweden for 20 years but still could not speak Swedish. I often made contact by telephone before the police interrogation and emphasized the importance of the person coming, as both an interpreter and a lawyer would be participating.

Despite the promise, the person did not come. There I sat, the interpreter and the lawyer, and it cost a lot of tax money unnecessarily. The person who stayed away did not have to pay anything, which I think is wrong.

If a person, for example, fails to attend an appointment with healthcare, they have to pay a fee. I believe this should also apply within the justice system. What does the Minister for Justice think?

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

Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Ellen Juntti, for the question and for the testimony from a great practical experience from the field!

Regarding the principled question concerning the interpreters, the proposal has arrived. I imagine, without having reviewed it in more detail, that the principled starting point for exempting the justice system is that special rights can be made applicable for the person who is a suspect of a crime, and that is why that situation is handled differently compared to other parts of social life.

It does not prevent the problems that Ellen Juntti highlights from being real. There is a discussion not only in relation to the preliminary investigation but also in relation to main hearings in courts.

In many proceedings within the justice system, the person can, by simply not showing up, delay important legal proceedings in a way that is unreasonable not only from the taxpayers' perspective but also from the crime victim's perspective and from society's perspective.

I gladly acknowledge that we must find ways to create incentives for, and for that part also sanctions against, persons who in different ways do not contribute to justice being served, whether it is during the preliminary investigation stage or the court stage.

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

Denis Begic (S)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Infrastructure and Housing.

I want to begin by pointing out that during our years in government, we reached the levels that Boverket had regarding the construction of housing. During these four years, they have not even reached half of what Boverket recommends. That is a clarification to the Minister.

I also want to mention another thing. Today, nine out of ten young people are involuntarily living at home with their parents. They do not want to live at home, but they are forced to just because housing construction has crashed. This is an issue that many young people today have on their agenda.

I therefore want to ask the Minister: What proposals does the Minister have for the young people who want to move out of their parents' home but who today do not have the opportunity to do so? Is it market rent that will make it better for the young people who want to leave their parents' home?

(Applause)

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

Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! First and foremost, we have facilitated the construction of student housing so that more student housing can be built on the same area.

I am going to Gothenburg in a few weeks. There, they have the first project that has received a building permit with the new regulatory framework. One can build 386 apartments, which is 80 more than before, thanks to our regulatory simplifications regarding both accessibility requirements and storage requirements. It is a very clear example that more housing can be built for young people.

We are raising the mortgage ceiling, lowering the requirement for a down payment, and introducing a rent-to-buy model so that more people can cross the threshold to owner-occupied housing before they have managed to save up for a down payment, and so that more people can realize their housing dreams sooner.

This, together with the fact that we are simplifying private rentals, is inspired by Norway, where the models work better. More people in Sweden will now be able to take the step across the threshold to their own housing, regardless of whether they are young or old. It is a very positive message from the government.

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

Christian Lindefjärd (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body's own insulin production ceases completely. In Sweden, approximately 2,000 people fall ill every year, of whom about half are children.

The disease is increasing, and the causes are not yet clarified. Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes is not linked to lifestyle but is considered to be due to genetic or unknown factors. Treatment requires lifelong administration of insulin, through either injections or an insulin pump. Without treatment, the condition is acutely life-threatening.

An equitable diabetes care means that all patients, regardless of place of residence, gender, and socioeconomic background, shall have equal access to modern treatment such as insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring, and specified care. Despite this, there are today significant regional differences in Sweden regarding both access to and aids for treatment.

What measures does the Minister for Health and Social Affairs intend to take to ensure equal and individualized care for people with type 1 diabetes throughout the country?

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

Sjukvårdsministern Elisabet Lann (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thanks to the member for an important question!

I am, just as the member himself implies, not at all satisfied with the situation. Unfortunately, it does not only concern the diabetes type 1 area, but it is an example where this is very clear. When it comes to specifically diabetes type 1, a large part of the treatment and follow-up takes place within specialist healthcare, while a good portion of the controls and contacts take place in primary care.

The government has, during the mandate period, made major investments in both specialist healthcare and primary healthcare. In many areas, we have strengthened the knowledge support and guidance towards the regions. But healthcare is not equal in Sweden today. It is both about the fact that the supply of competence looks different in different regions and about the fact that it varies when it comes to which areas one is far ahead in and where there are deficiencies.

The Government has appointed an inquiry to review the issue of pharmaceuticals and how just that part of diabetes care can become more equitable by the state taking over the responsibility.

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

Ludvig Ceimertz (M)

Mr. Speaker! This summer, the Prison and Probation Service will take over the responsibility for young people who commit serious crimes. This is a major and important change, because for a long time we have had a system that has not been good enough for this specific group.

Now, special youth departments are being built up within the Prison and Probation Service with smaller groups, high staff density, clear structure, safety, and a focus on breaking a criminal lifestyle. In this work, there is one thing that is very important, and that is schooling. This group of young people needs to have good schooling. We need to ensure that it works, because it is an important protective factor to prevent new crimes.

Against that background, I would like to ask the Minister for Justice: How does the Minister for Justice ensure that the youth departments of the Prison and Probation Service will have a good school education? How, for example, is the work of recruiting qualified teachers being handled so that these young people can get a good chance to reduce the risk of recidivism?

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

Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Ludvig Ceimertz, for the question!

It is very pleasing that the Riksdag yesterday decided to now phase out the Sis-homes regarding young people who commit serious crimes and replace it with a system with youth prisons. Unfortunately, I have understood that Vänsterpartiet and Miljöpartiet do not stand behind this, and we will have to come back to that.

Why is this shift so incredibly important? Yes, because we have seen how the Sis-system has failed in relation to these young people. 90 percent relapse into serious crime today. We also see that this group consisted of 50 people a few years ago and that today it is over 300. They are pushing out all other children with other needs in state youth care.

What is now being built up, we have ensured by the government giving the Prison and Probation Service an explicit mandate regarding this, which was finalized in early April. The Prison and Probation Service gives the green light for this, including the school activities.

The Prison and Probation Service also reports that there is a very high demand, exclusively from qualified teachers. It will be a fantastic schooling, perhaps for the first time for many of these children.

(Applause)

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

Martin Westmont (SD)

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

It is about the fact that courts shall judge according to the Swedish code, which is also what happens. But we also see that the level of punishment is often determined from established practice by the courts themselves. I can testify to this myself as a former lay judge in the District Court and the Svea Court of Appeal.

My question to the Minister of Justice is whether it can be problematic that our courts hand down sentences based on precedent. How does the Minister of Justice view this procedure in large?

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

Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Martin Westmont, for the question!

One can say that it is quite natural that criminal law is regulated through legislation. Then, however, a concrete application of the legal rules and a practice must still be developed so that similar cases are judged alike. Both parts are therefore needed.

However, it is of course important that practice reflects the legislation. We are now making very large changes because we want a different practice. Let me take a very clear example. When we now introduce – if the Riksdag stands behind this – double penalties for gang criminals, it means that the courts will need to develop a new practice in relation to those rules.

There are general principles in criminal law which, for example, involve a presumption against imprisonment, that is to say, the instruction from the legislator to the judges when they develop their practice is that one should always choose a milder penalty if it is possible. This is what we want to change.

We are therefore also changing practice by changing the legislation. But it was needed, of course, so that all cases that are equal shall be judged just as equally in concrete legal life.

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Marie Nicholson (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to the Minister for Infrastructure and concerns the report in Uppdrag granskning yesterday, which deals with how Trafikverket dismantles street lighting in the countryside.

In Kalmar län, places such as Gårdsryd outside Nybro, Kristdala, and Blackstad are affected. I fully understand that Trafikverket must make prioritizations, but I also believe that the Minister for Infrastructure knows how important some individual lamps can be when the autumn darkness falls over Småland.

My question is therefore: How can we ensure a better local dialogue when decisions are made regarding street lighting in the countryside?

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Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you very much, Marie Nicholson, for an important question!

This has received attention and caused great concern in many places, not least against the background that there is a strong perception that there has not been a sufficiently good dialogue and that important illumination has been dismantled.

Trafikverket has therefore announced that they are pausing the dismantling of road lighting. It is a decision and an announcement that I truly welcome. It is crucial to have a functioning dialogue with residents and municipalities, and all of Sweden must function. Therefore, this pause, which Trafikverket has now announced, will be important in order to be able to make a restart and have a good dialogue with the affected municipalities.

I know that this will begin as early as May, but plenty of time will be taken to ensure that this is done correctly. It is a very welcome announcement.

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Nima Gholam Ali Pour (SD)

Mr. Speaker! The Minister for Foreign Affairs has on several occasions stated that the oppression in Iran is worsening.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has also acknowledged the fact that the regime in Iran is a security threat to Sweden through its collusion with criminal networks in Sweden, where the purpose is to eliminate Swedish citizens and actors who pose a threat to the regime.

Sweden has several bilateral agreements with Iran that can be terminated unilaterally. These include, among others, an agreement on economic and industrial cooperation and an agreement on the mutual promotion and protection of investments.

With reference to the Iranian regime's antagonistic activities in Sweden as well as the oppression in Iran, does the Minister for Foreign Affairs intend to work towards these agreements with Iran being terminated?

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Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Nima Gholam Ali Pour, for an important question!

The oppression in Iran is absolutely appalling. I am thinking in particular of all the girls and women who are not allowed to choose how they should live their own lives. Unfortunately, we have seen how the oppression has become worse during the recent period, and we see an even more repressive regime. It is, however, difficult to take part in what is actually happening on the inside because they have chosen to shut down the internet.

The Social Democratic-led government chose to enter into agreements with the Iranian regime – agreements that are not applied in practice. The government will continue to push to increase the pressure on the Iranian regime and continue to support the fighters in Iran who are working for democracy and freedom of expression.

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Magdalena Thuresson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I also have a question for the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

On the Riksdag's table now lie two important matters aimed at increasing accountability of Russia for its war against Ukraine. They concern an international reparations commission for Ukraine as well as Sweden's accession to the tribunal that will work to hold Russia accountable for its crimes of aggression against Ukraine.

When the Riksdag's processing is complete, what will be the next step to support Ukraine and ensure accountability of Russia for the crime of aggression against Ukraine?

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Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Magdalena Thuresson, for a very important question! If there is anything we have learned from history, it is that one does not achieve a lasting and sustainable peace unless accountability truly occurs. In that case, these two documents, which are difficult to pronounce, are incredibly important in practice.

I am very proud that Sweden has been a driving force in establishing a special tribunal for the crime of aggression specifically. This is historic. It has not happened since the Nuremberg trials. It means that one can ensure that high-ranking Russian leaders, both political and military, are held accountable for what they have done. We have also actively participated in the work to establish the international reparations commission.

In order for us to accede to the convention, we also need to ratify these two documents. That requires the Riksdag's approval. I am very pleased that that work has begun today.

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Malin Höglund (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Health and Social Affairs Elisabet Lann.

Work is currently being done to develop a new action plan within the cardiovascular area, which is crucial for strengthening preventive work and reducing the risk of serious illness in the population. A central part of this is to identify risk factors early before symptoms arise. Many patients over 40 years of age are already in contact with healthcare for various reasons, which would be an opportunity to work more systematically with early detection.

My question to the Minister for Health and Social Affairs is: Would it be possible to introduce a routine where, in connection with healthcare contact, blood samples are taken from everyone over the age of 40, with a particular focus on measuring and monitoring cholesterol levels, as part of the preventive work regarding cardiovascular disease?

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Sjukvårdsministern Elisabet Lann (KD)

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

It is incredibly important that we strengthen primary care above all else in the work of detecting early symptoms and being able to initiate preventive treatment in time. Therefore, I am pleased that we have been able to make decisions that a national plan for cardiovascular care shall be developed.

It is clear that it would have been possible to introduce such a routine. However, I am also very careful in my role not to decide what the healthcare system should do in those respects. That is why the National Board of Health and Welfare has been given this assignment. Together with professionals, patient organizations, and expertise, they shall present an action plan so that this will be health-economically correct and based on evidence. We must not end up in a situation where politicians steer too much and where we also overtreat patients, for that is also harmful.

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Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström (M)

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

We talk a lot today about how youth crime is decreasing in age, unfortunately even the serious crime. It causes much suffering and great concern.

I have a student with me named Greta Haga. She is sitting in the gallery together with her grandmother Marie. We have talked a lot about how serious youth crime is, but also about how young people are doing these days. It is obviously some water, some wine, but sometimes it is such that one is absolutely not doing well. We have come across this with youth prisons, and we have talked about how school is very important.

Both Greta and I wonder: What is to be done at the youth prisons? What will it actually look like there – besides the school, of course?

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Justitieministern Gunnar Strömmer (M)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström with intern, for the question!

As is known, the Riksdag yesterday decided to abandon the Sis-homes and transition to youth prison for young people who commit serious crimes. It is an incredibly welcome shift because we know that the children have been very badly affected by the Sis-homes and that over 90 percent also relapse into serious crime. There has also been no idea of what should happen when they are released.

Now it will be exactly the opposite. Now it will be real activity. There will be schooling, there will be treatment, there will be activities intended for young people, there will be high staffing levels, there will be high security, there will be small groups, and there will be private living quarters completely separate from adults.

We now have the chance to both protect the surrounding society from life-threatening violence in a much better way than until now and, moreover, break the destructive patterns around these children in a completely different way than until now. It will be good both for society and for the children we are talking about.

(Applause)

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Cecilia Gustafsson (M)

Mr. Speaker! My question is addressed to Minister for Health and Social Affairs Elisabet Lann.

In the proposition A more coherent care for persons with harmful use or addiction and other psychiatric conditions, the government states that it is not judged to be necessary to have a new national ANDTS strategy. At the same time, the previous strategy has functioned as an important unifying framework for the preventive work surrounding alcohol, drugs, doping, tobacco, and gambling, not least in the work linked to children and young people as well as in the cooperation between municipalities, regions, authorities, and civil society.

My question to the Minister for Health and Social Affairs is therefore: How does the government intend to ensure long-term national coordination and governance of the broad ANDTS work moving forward, when no new unified strategy is to be developed?

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Sjukvårdsministern Elisabet Lann (KD)

Mr. Speaker! What the government has done, in addition to us having developed a new overarching goal concerning the reduction of harmful effects, is that we have tasked the Socialstyrelsen and the Folkhälsomyndigheten to, together with seven other national agencies, develop a joint agency plan for better addiction care and strengthened preventive work. Here we capture this work in order to continue working collectively together.

More steering documents risk fragmenting such work. This is instead the way forward for the government.

Question time was hereby concluded.

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