International cooperation

Markus Wiechel (SD)

Mr. Speaker! We are now debating the Committee on Foreign Affairs' Report 1, which deals with expenditure area 5 International Cooperation. This area is ultimately about ensuring Sweden's interests in relations with other countries.

Mr. Speaker! I vote in favor of the committee's proposal.

To ensure Sweden's international interests, a good presence in the international forums mentioned in this report, among others, is required. Regardless of the challenges we face, the results of different countries' choices are becoming increasingly intertwined. When we combine our capabilities and cooperate, we can both achieve improved results when it matters most, and also forge closer ties and create better understanding for one another. We simply become stronger through an active dialogue, and with joint efforts, we can also improve the results we want to achieve and contribute to efficiency.

The work of promoting and developing Sweden's international relations is extra important right now, not only because we live in a world where borders are blurring and distances are shrinking, but because we see a clear regression for peace, democracy, and freedom around the world. We see a regression for something of the most fundamental for creating good societies.

Mr. Speaker! Sweden must therefore be a strong voice in foreign policy. In the times we live in, it is extra important that we are clear about our principles, our values and the priorities that guide our policy. We see this need in Russia's ruthless war in Ukraine, which entails a new and more dangerous reality for Europe and Sweden. We are reminded of this after the Palestinian terrorists' ruthless and brutal attacks against Israel, and we see it in Azerbaijan's unjust attacks against Nagorno Karabach and Armenia.

Authoritarian states such as Russia, Iran, North Korea, Belarus and so on are cooperating increasingly, and China is sharpening its aggressive tone towards prominent democracies such as Taiwan. In addition, the dictatorships' presence in developing countries is intensifying, which in many cases turn to them where the purse is largest. Never has the need been greater for the free, democratic world to hold together. This is largely what the report is about.

Mr. Speaker! It is not often that one from this rostrum highlights the similarities that exist between different parties. In particular, not between parties that almost always stand on different sides in the domestic debate.

The fact is, however, that it can sometimes be worth highlighting what consensus exists regarding everything from democracy and human rights to the principles of the rule of law. I often see, when I participate in the work in various international delegations, which I have the privilege to do, how we from Sweden stick together. This is something that pleases me. It is something we should take advantage of now that we live in restless times, and I think we should intensify this work.

Mr. Speaker! Today I content myself with stating just this, but I look forward to addressing the substantive policy issues concerning the area of this report later in the autumn.

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

Morgan Johansson (S)

Mr. Speaker! It is of course always good when one can agree on the basics. The problem is that the Sweden Democrats have for years, and perhaps even more so lately, promoted a rhetoric that is extremely divisive in different ways, so I do not know if the Sweden Democrats should teach other parties how to build international relations.

We have seen how the Sweden Democrats have successively escalated the hostility towards Muslims. You have pushed for Quran burnings. Most recently, during the landsdagarna, your party leader said that some mosques should be torn down and Muslim expressions should be eradicated from the cityscape, such as crescents, domes, and minarets.

This is naturally an expression of the rhetoric that the Sverigedemokraterna have adopted and have escalated over the past year, more and more aggressively.

This is no game. It is not a game we are playing, but this has concrete effects, both in Sweden and in the rest of the world.

The agitation against Muslims that the Sweden Democrats engage in naturally leads to an increased threat against Muslims in Sweden. When leading politicians incite against minorities, hate crimes against just those minorities almost always increase. Furthermore, this type of statements is threat-driving towards Sweden. We have already had to raise our terror threat level from a three to a four on a five-point scale.

My question to Markus Wiechel is: Will the Sweden Democrats continue with this agitation and this hate speech against Islam and Muslims?

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

Markus Wiechel (SD)

Mr. Speaker! If there is one thing I think Morgan Johansson and the Social Democrats are good at, it is dealing with disinformation and spreading things that are simply not true. One of those things is what Morgan Johansson is saying now: that we would spread hate against different groups. That is just not true.

When it comes to the statements that have been made, for example during our national days, it is about us wanting to tackle a serious problem in this society, namely a growing Islamist threat, something that has grown during the Social Democrats' time in power.

We see how the Social Democrats rather fuel these trends when they spread disinformation, for example, about us wanting to see Quran burnings in Sweden, which is definitely not the case. What we have said is that freedom of speech in Sweden is fundamental.

I believe these speakers deserve a significantly higher level than this.

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

Morgan Johansson (S)

Mr. Speaker! But, my God, does Markus Wiechel deny that Richard Jomshof said in our [previous session] that if it doesn't fit, we can burn a hundred Qurans? Does Markus Wiechel deny that the same Richard Jomshof has said that Islam is a despicable religion?

When it comes to the "landsdagarna", it was not the violence-seeking Islamism that Jimmie Åkesson targeted. Why, in that case, would he have said that we should now eradicate, get rid of, all symbols of Islam from the cityscape, such as domes, minarets and crescents? It was not violence-seeking Islamism that he attacked, but Islam as such – a clear violation of freedom of religion. It is therefore not the violence-seeking Islamism that you criticize, but the religion as such.

It was precisely this type of agitation and threats against minorities that people such as Hédi Fried and Emerich Roth, two of the Holocaust survivors, criticized and which caused them to warn against all cooperation with the Sverigedemokraterna. They recognized this type of hate speech from their youth. That was why they warned against the Sverigedemokraterna.

No, it is not the violence-seeking Islamism that you are talking about, but it is Muslims and Islam as such. When a party so flagrantly brings up this rotten heritage that we now see emerging again, then parties must respond to this, criticize them, bring this into the light and point it out. That is when one must have the strength to stand up for these fundamental human rights and stand behind all people who live in our country, regardless of what religion they have. Unfortunately, the Sverigedemokraterna do not do that.

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

Markus Wiechel (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Jimmie Åkesson has actually said that one is allowed to believe in whichever religion one wants. One is allowed to be a Muslim in Sweden. That is the view we have. We believe in freedom of religion.

What we have turned against is Islamism, political Islam. Morgan Johansson is right that we are not only talking about violent Islamism. We see a greater threat than that. It is not only the violent Islamists who are a threat to Sweden.

Then Morgan Johansson reveals what the Social Democrats' view on freedom of speech is. One is not allowed to say that Islam is a loathsome religion, according to Morgan Johansson. That was exactly what he said just now. I think it is a loathsome religion, but one is allowed to have that religion. I think communism is a loathsome ideology and that Nazism is a loathsome ideology and so on.

But obviously, one is not allowed to criticize a religion, according to Morgan Johansson. I find that regrettable.

When it comes to the Islamic symbols, it is actually about combating trends that today threaten our society. This is something that I think Morgan Johansson and his party should take to heart, given the trends that exist within the Social Democrats.

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

Morgan Johansson (S)

Mr. Speaker! On today's agenda is the Committee on Foreign Affairs' report on international relations and international cooperation. Rarely has this felt more relevant than right now, with the wars and conflicts ongoing in the world, in Ukraine and the Middle East, but also in many places in Africa.

It feels as if international cohesion, solidarity, the struggle for human rights, and the upholding of international law are more important than they have been in a very long time. This is what has been Sweden's profile in the world, and it is also partly what the report is about, that is, the image of Sweden – what image of Sweden is projected to the outside world.

For decades, the image of Sweden has been that of a country that stands up for international law, international solidarity, human rights and democracy, a country that has been at the forefront when it comes to gender equality, equality, climate transition and general welfare.

Sweden has been admired in the world. The Swedish passport has been one of the world's strongest and has granted access to the most countries visa-free. And we are probably quite many who, on travels, have been asked to tell everything about the exotic that people have only heard about by rumor: fully developed childcare, free universities, in practice free access to world-class healthcare, five weeks of paid vacation, thirteen months of parental leave, the Swedish model of collective bargaining in the labor market, labor law, universal health insurance, a ban on hitting children, a ban on buying sex, one of the world's most democratic countries, a strong and constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and press that guarantees a free exchange of opinions, strong and free media, the principle of public access and source protection, which among other things has led to Sweden being one of the world's least corrupt countries, and then the right of public access and the shore protection, which means that we can swim in almost all lakes and bodies of water, stay wherever we want in forest and land and pick berries and mushrooms in a way that one cannot in many other places in the world.

All this we have been able to tell about with pride, often in front of quite surprised and impressed foreign guests. The good reputation that Sweden has had in the rest of the world has benefited every Swede, but not only every Swede but also Swedish companies, which have been able to take advantage of Sweden's good name when they have been active in countries around the world. Sweden has stood for something good, for quality and for integrity, and this has been an enormous asset for Sweden.

But now, unfortunately, it is a different image of Sweden that is being projected. The Right has devoted itself to bad-mouthing Sweden in the rest of the world for years, and now that they are in power, they are taking the opportunity to dismantle much of what has given us our good name.

Sweden no longer leads the climate work. On the contrary, Sweden is now a country where emissions are being actively increased. Sweden no longer leads the work with international solidarity. On the contrary, Sweden is now cutting back on aid and abandoning the one percent goal. Women's and girls' rights no longer stand at the center of foreign policy. On the contrary, Sweden is now phasing out the feminist foreign policy.

And when the UN General Assembly voted on a ceasefire in Gaza to get in humanitarian aid, Sweden did not vote for this but abstained. 120 countries voted for. Norway voted for. France voted for. But Sweden abstained, for that is how foreign policy has become: fearful and passive.

All of this is bad enough, but worst of all is the actions that we spoke of just a moment ago and which the Sweden Democrats have stood for over the past year. It has not only damaged Sweden's reputation but has also been purely threatening towards the Swedish people and Swedish interests.

It began in January this year with another round of Quran burnings. Some time had passed since the Dane Rasmus Paludan last burned the Quran, during the 2022 election campaign. SD clearly did not think this was enough, so at the beginning of the year, a person linked to SD called Paludan and asked if he could come here again and this time burn a Quran outside the Turkish embassy. It would be fun to do, so to speak. And so it happened. The SD-linked person also financed Paludan's expenses for this.

The whole thing naturally attracted a great deal of attention, and in that vein, Säpo sharpened its wording regarding the threat situation against Sweden. Previously, Sweden had been regarded as a legitimate target for Islamist terrorism, but Säpo changed that. After that, Sweden was regarded as a prioritized target for Islamist terrorism, that is to say, a clear sharpening of the threat situation.

Then one might think that the Sweden Democrats could calm down a bit and understand that this perhaps was not so good. But it became exactly the opposite, for then the chairman of the Committee on Justice, Richard Jomshof, went out and said that if it didn't suit them, they could well burn a hundred Qurans.

Then it became even worse. Soon he also became a target of prayer, for soon another couple of people appeared who were happy to devote themselves to this. Paludan had grown tired, but new ones appeared. Their motives were unclear, but one can state that the actions played right into Russian interests. It was a clear influence operation, if you ask me.

Then the agitation increased even more internationally, however not among Swedish Muslims, who did not care particularly much during the year. On the other hand, we received an international reaction that led up to the dramatic events in Iraq last summer, when the Swedish embassy in Baghdad was burned down by a violent mob. It was a pure miracle that no Swede was injured in connection with that.

Then one might perhaps have thought that the Sweden Democrats had taken to heart that it was actually harmful to behave in that way, but they did not. On the contrary, Richard Jomshof came out again with new hateful statements. This time he called the prophet Muhammad a warmonger and a slave trader, obviously with a single intention: to fuel the conflict and incite ethnic groups against one another.

Then Säpo was forced to conclude that the situation had become even more serious, and the terror threat level had to be raised from a three to a four on a five-point scale. This subsequently proved to be an entirely correct assessment, because on October 16, three Swedes were shot in the street in Brussels for one reason: that they were wearing Swedish national team jerseys. Two of them died, and the third was seriously injured.

It was an Islamist terrorist act. Of course, it is always the perpetrator who is responsible for their actions, and this perpetrator was also killed the following day in connection with a police intervention. But when it comes to terror threats, all central actors have a responsibility to try to calm the situation, reduce tensions, and not provoke violence.

One can only observe that the Sweden Democrats have not cared one bit about this. On the contrary, they have actively pushed for increased tensions throughout the year. The latest example we saw in Åkesson's speech during the landsdagarna last week, where he took another step when it comes to inciting against Muslims and Islam. Mosques can be demolished, he thought, and all Muslim symbols - crescent moons, domes and minarets - should be removed from the cityscape. None of that should exist.

Just now we heard Markus Wiechel confirm this. He said that he also thinks that Islam is a despicable religion. He signs off on what Richard Jomshof has said, which says everything about the party. This was not an attack on violent Islamism, but it was an attack on the religion of Islam as such and a blatant attack on freedom of religion.

This serves as a signal to SD's stormtroopers. It is clear that when politicians incite against minorities, the risk of hate crimes against just those minorities increases, and only a few days later we saw how a Muslim cemetery in Gothenburg was vandalized.

It was precisely this hatred and this agitation against minorities that made Hédi Fried and Emerich Roth – two of the Holocaust survivors – warn against SD, because they recognized the hate rhetoric from their youth. Back then, it was directed against Jews. Now, it is directed against Muslims, but those who engage in that type of agitation are children of the same spirit. It is about fueling distrust towards minorities and exploiting this distrust politically. This is not new at all, but it is classic far-right strategy.

It is this image that is now being broadcast to the rest of the world - the image of a country where people burn Qurans and where leading politicians incite against Islam. It is harmful. It is threatening. Every time Jimmie Åkesson opens his mouth, the threats against the Swedish people and Swedish interests increase.

It leads to the fact that many Muslims in Sweden today feel vulnerable, questioned, threatened, and like some kind of second-class citizens. This is furthermore, unfortunately, enabled by the fact that we have a government that is so weak and that does not dare to speak out, but instead actively protects and defends the worst of the agitators - such as Jimmie Åkesson, as Richard Jomshof and as Björn Söder.

This is a sensitive issue for the government parties. This also showed when we discussed this report in the committee. From the beginning, there was a passage in the report stating that it would be interesting to see how, for example, the Quran burnings have affected the image of Sweden. That passage was deleted by the majority. So sensitive it was, then.

I think this is extremely sad to see, and furthermore, dangerous. I think that the Moderaterna, Kristdemokraterna and Liberalerna must put their foot down against SD. The governing parties' silence towards this hate is interpreted in the rest of the world as legitimizing it. It is extremely serious, I would like to assert. It harms Sweden and Swedish interests. Now I think it is high time that the governing parties break this cooperation with SD.

Mr. Speaker! We have no deviating budget proposal for this expenditure area. However, we have strong opinions on how these funds should be used and also on how Sweden manages its international relations and on the image of Sweden that is being projected right now, which we have heard. We are also developing this in a separate statement.

(Applause)

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

Margareta Cederfelt (M)

Mr. Speaker! I have been sitting and listening to Morgan Johansson's speech. The first two and a half minutes were not about foreign policy but about a Social Democratic feat in domestic policy. Let me first say: The voters voted for a change of government. The voters do not share the extraordinary perception that Morgan Johansson painted.

I would appreciate it if Morgan Johansson spoke more about what the Social Democrats see as important issues and whether the Social Democrats see that international cooperation can be used to solve the problems that Sweden and the rest of the world face today.

Instead, it was about how the committee has prepared a matter. It is precisely preparation, and it is nothing that we normally usually discuss here. We usually debate what we have concluded to be the important issues.

But let me say initially that in the government's budget, exactly what Morgan Johansson is requesting is mentioned – the threats to Sweden, disinformation, the war, the Quran burnings. All of this is mentioned. Can I get an approval on this from Morgan Johansson? It would be good to hear. I would also like to hear how Morgan Johansson views the cooperation that his party has, Mr. Speaker. I think these are important issues.

When it comes to Nato, we are in a vulnerable situation today. But Morgan Johansson's coalition partners are against a Nato cooperation. Morgan Johansson's party has long resisted. Sweden is in a vulnerable position today because of the Social Democrats. And I would like to have a comment on this.

(Applause)

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

Morgan Johansson (S)

Mr. Speaker! First, I would like to state that the Social Democrats moved forward in the election. I believe that was due, among other things, to everything that I listed and which has distinguished Sweden, such as fully developed childcare, free universities, five weeks of paid vacation, universal health insurance, the model of collective bargaining, and 13 months of parental leave. All of this consists of social democratic reforms that we have implemented over decades and which have built up an image of Sweden as a country where people take responsibility for one another and as a country that has a strong general welfare.

Then I can state that the Moderates have gone against almost all of this. I cannot help that. But sometimes it feels a bit strange when the Moderates go out into the world and brag about Swedish welfare without mentioning that they have been against almost every major Social Democratic reform in these areas. Then Margareta Cederfelt must forgive me for highlighting precisely these Social Democratic reforms.

The issue we are debating now is serious. I have a counter-question for Margareta Cederfelt. We have just heard Markus Wiechel say that he also thinks Islam is a despicable religion. We have just heard how Jimmie Åkesson at the landsdagarna launched a frontal attack on Islam as a religion. I mean that this risks leading to increased hate crimes against Muslims. It increases the divisions in Sweden. It actually also risks complicating our Nato process. It therefore feels a bit strange when Margareta Cederfelt asks me about it when she herself and her party cooperate with a party that has not exactly made things easier.

I would like to have a clear answer from Margareta Cederfelt. What does she have to say about the Sverigedemokraternas agitation against Muslims? What does she have to say about Markus Wiechels' now clear stance that he considers Islam to be a despicable religion? What does she have to say about the increasing division in Sweden as a result of Sverigedemokraternas behavior?

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

Margareta Cederfelt (M)

Mr. Speaker! It would be wonderful if we could have slightly longer speeches.

I would like to tell Morgan Johansson that today at lunchtime, a chicken walk is being organized to which all members have been invited. Will we be able to see Morgan Johansson at this chicken walk? It would be very honorable.

I say this because when Morgan Johansson stands here, I also expect to hear support for a minority that is, not least in Malmö, where Morgan Johansson's party has ruled for a very long time, extremely vulnerable. Reports are coming in about how Jewish people are moving away from Malmö because of the hatred they are subjected to.

Then I want to say clearly and distinctly that I stand completely behind the Prime Minister's statement that religious freedom is something that we Moderates are for. We respect Muslims just as we respect Jews. We respect Christians. We do not view Quran burnings positively just because it concerns a religious book. This is something that my Prime Minister has commented on and which I stand behind completely.

When Morgan Johansson speaks passionately about the social democratic policies that have been pursued for decades, I want to mention the Pomperiposs tax. Our beloved children's author Astrid Lindgren spoke in a fairy tale about how unreasonable this tax was - 104 percent.

Let me also mention the property tax which we abolished and which drove people from their houses and homes. So that is how it goes with the Social Democratic boasting. Talk about what you have also caused for ordinary people when it comes to the difficulties! Talk about what you have done with the school!

(Applause)

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

Morgan Johansson (S)

Mr. Speaker! We can certainly have a general political debate. When it comes to what we have done with the school, Margareta Cederfelt is welcome to speak about what she did with the school when you pushed through the free school system, which now only leads to school owners being able to line their pockets with money and also drive forward a grade inflation that destroys the Swedish school system. That is the reform that you have implemented and which I do not think one can be particularly proud of. But that is perhaps partly a different discussion.

I have been a proud member of the Swedish Committee against Antisemitism for many years. I always participate in the commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27. The last time I was in the synagogue was when the anniversary of the November pogrom of 1938 was commemorated. We Social Democrats have never hesitated when it comes to condemning antisemitism - never. And I do not intend to stand and accept any criticism for this at all, but here is a clear and distinct position.

What one also always must do when condemning antisemitism is to be prepared to condemn other hateful expressions and incitement. One must be able to condemn Islamophobia when one sees such. That was precisely what Margareta Cederfelt failed to do in this exchange of remarks. I asked what she thought about Markus Wiechel's statement that Islam is a despicable religion, but I have not received any answer.

If there is any strength left in this government, it should acknowledge that the limit has been reached now that the Sweden Democrats are inciting against a minority and furthermore putting Swedish interests both in Sweden and abroad and the safety of Swedish citizens at risk. One must break with the Sweden Democrats. The Moderates must understand that it has gone so far that the cooperation can no longer be maintained. I would have wished for greater clarity on that issue from the Moderates' side.

(Applause)

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

Markus Wiechel (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Once again, Morgan Johansson is dealing with disinformation in his speech. He speaks of an SD-linked person who was said to have fueled or attempted to urge the burning of Qurans. The person he refers to is a libertarian who was a member of our party over ten years ago. I am convinced that Morgan Johansson has stronger SD links today than that person does. But it doesn't really matter. This is actually about the fact that Morgan Johansson seems to advocate for blasphemy laws. Personally, I think—and it is several of our representatives who have also said it—that it is stupid to burn Qurans and to burn books in general. But we have no blasphemy laws in Sweden. It is permitted.

Furthermore, Morgan Johansson has spoken about hate against Islam. No one has incited hate against Islam. One is allowed to think what one wants about the religion of Islam. What we have been against is radical Islamism. It is political Islam, which actually is a threat.

Once again, I want to point out the problem that Morgan Johansson does not seem to see, namely that his own youth wing chants anti-Semitic slogans and that his own party has clear links to the most radical forms of Islam. I think it is shameful that Morgan Johansson does not take this seriously. If he is now a member of a committee against anti-Semitism, I think he should show greater interest in what is happening in his party.

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

Morgan Johansson (S)

Mr. Speaker! No, there are no links between the Social Democratic Party and any kind of radical Islamism. That is something Markus Wiechel is making up. And no, I do not support reintroducing any kind of blasphemy laws. On the other hand, I react strongly when leading politicians conduct some form of hate campaign against minorities. All leading politicians must actually react strongly when such things occur.

In previous exchanges when I pressed Markus Wiechel and asked what he thinks about Richard Jomshofs statements that Islam is a despicable religion, he confirmed that he also thinks so. It shows what the Sverigedemokraterna actually are as a party.

I find it so difficult to understand how Moderates, Christian Democrats, and Liberals can sit in the same context and have made themselves dependent on a party that conducts these types of smear campaigns. In my post, I pointed out that this is not a game. It has concrete significance and concrete effects for Muslims in Sweden, who feel vulnerable and perhaps to an increased extent will be affected by hate crimes. They feel like some kind of second-class citizens. It matters if a representative of one of the major parties says that their religion is despicable. It matters, and it simply has an effect.

It naturally also has an effect in the outside world when it is perceived that this type of statement is being legitimized by the Swedish government, which is not wise or strong enough to speak out.

Markus Wiechel has during the debate only confirmed my worst fears, that is to say that the Islamophobic trend is strong and furthermore growing, and it is a very great concern for Swedish politics.

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

Markus Wiechel (SD)

Mr. Speaker! I actually still do not know what the problem is. Is one not allowed to criticize a religion? Is one not allowed to think poorly of a religion? Is one not allowed to dislike the message that is spread from a certain religion? I do not quite understand Morgan Johansson's reasoning here.

What I have expressed is that one is allowed to believe in exactly what one wants. Personal belief is precisely personal. One is allowed to have any belief system as long as it does not harm other people. One is also allowed to think what one wants about different religions, whether it concerns Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, or whatever it may be.

The Social Democrats' connections to radical Islamism are documented. One only has to look at which ministers they elected into their government. One only has to look at whom they have elected into their executive committee and at the forces contained within their so-called brotherhood movement, their Christian part, which has had cooperation with the Muslim Brotherhood - more or less. One only has to look at the forces contained within the Social Democratic Youth League and so on. It is documented. It is not possible to deny the Social Democrats' connections to these currents.

It is of course why it is so sensitive for Morgan Johansson when representatives for parties criticize a certain religion. But again – one is allowed to have whatever belief one wants. I have several friends who are Muslims. I have also several times met and spoken with representatives for different organizations, including Muslim ones, and actually see no problem with that. As long as people respect each other and their belief does not affect me or society negatively, they are allowed to have that religion.

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

Morgan Johansson (S)

Mr. Speaker! I am not a believer myself. On the contrary – I have for many years been active in Humanisterna, which stands for the secular and organizes both agnostics and atheists. But the fact is that regardless of what worldview one has, one must respect religions and people's faith. It is completely fundamental. Markus Wiechel says in one breath that he does, and in the next he says that Islam is a despicable religion. That is not respecting Islam – on the contrary.

Another representative for the Sweden Democrats, Richard Jomshof, says that if it doesn't suit, then we can well burn a hundred Qurans. That is also not respecting a religion? It is on the contrary to incite against just such one. Jimmie Åkesson says that it is starting to be time to tear down mosques here and that there should not be Muslim expressions in the cityscape, but that they should disappear. The Muslim expressions in the cityscape should be eradicated. That is also not respecting a religion?

The Sweden Democrats have systematically, over decades, fostered this type of agitation and hatred against Islam, and it is harmful and divisive. That is something one should not do. When it happens, all other political forces must be strong enough to distance themselves and mark themselves firmly against it. I regret that Moderates, Christian Democrats, and Liberals are unable to do that in this situation, because it is extremely important that one keeps clean on that side.

I do not know what Markus Wiechel is talking about regarding the Social Democratic executive committee, other representatives and so on. He probably needs to be a bit clearer there. But no, there are no such connections whatsoever. The Sweden Democrats are just finding them in order to try to escape the other debate that now exists from the government's side.

(Applause)

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

Margareta Cederfelt (M)

Madam Speaker! The matter we are now debating is the Committee on Foreign Affairs' report UU1 Expenditure Area 5 International Cooperation. I would like to begin by saying that this report is one of our most important right now, as we see how dependent Sweden is on its surroundings. What happens in our immediate environment affects Sweden and the rest of the world. Sweden is a small country but just as important as a member of a large number of international organizations. It is there that we exercise our influence. This is seen, not least, in the budget that has been presented, where the appropriation is occupied by membership fees in international organizations by a little more than 70 percent. I mention this because this is a matter that concerns the budget.

Sweden's foreign and security policy shall be based on Swedish interests. Sweden faces the greatest foreign, security, and defense policy challenges in modern times. In the work of safeguarding Swedish interests, our common values regarding human freedoms and rights, democracy, the rule of law, climate, and market economy shall be guiding for Swedish actions on the international arena. Sweden's actions shall be predictable, balanced, and transparent.

Madam President! These are important principles for Sweden's government. In the international organizations where Sweden is a member, including the EU, Sweden shall be a strong and clear voice for the principles of the rule of law. This is something that the government stands fully and firmly behind in its work and which also characterizes the decisions that are made.

Madam President! China and Russia, two superpowers with roots in history's most devastating ideology, communism, have slowly but methodically developed in a direction that has led to human rights, democracy and respect for the principles of the rule of law being blown away. This affects entire societies and states but also individuals on a very personal level.

Madam Speaker! In our immediate vicinity, war is raging – Russia's war against Ukraine. It is a war that has been ongoing since February 24, 2022, and which affects Ukraine and the surrounding area but also the rest of the world. Unfortunately, there is much that indicates that the war could become long-lasting. We have all read in the newspapers about how Ukraine is preparing for a long war and for a cold winter after Russia's attacks against the infrastructure. I say this because it shows how important international cooperation is. Through international cooperation, we can actively work for peace.

I want to say once again here that Ukraine is fighting a war to defend its country and its territory but also much greater values than that: free society and all of our right to our world of thought and to democracy. It is a war for freedom against a totalitarian state. Therefore, in addition to Ukraine's right to its territory, it is also a war that concerns us all - a war for freedom.

Like all other countries in Europe, Sweden supports Ukraine. A twelfth sanctions package is on the way. Sweden supports Ukraine directly humanitarily but also with weapons and ammunition. I have just come home from the OSCE Ministerial Council where I heard ministers from OSCE countries express their support for Ukraine. I am not saying that it was all 57 countries that did so, but a majority - 90 percent of the countries, I would say. This shows that Sweden does not stand alone. But our voice is important, because we must all continue to work actively so that Ukraine has the right to its territory and so that the war shall cease.

Madam President! Unfortunately, we can see how the horrors of war are spreading. On October 7, Israel was subjected to the worst terrorist attack in the country's history, a terrorist attack committed not by a state but by the terrorist organization Hamas. This was the worst attack against the Jewish population since World War II. So many Jews have not been murdered in a day since the Holocaust. The terrorist organization Hamas shows that it is cruel and ruthless when it attacks a country and mutilates and murders so many people. Furthermore, more than 200 civilians were taken hostage - Jews but also others. Some have stayed in the country temporarily as, among other things, guest workers. From Sweden's side, we demand an immediate and unconditional release of the hostages.

The Swedish government has stated that Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism. Let me emphasize that Israel's legitimate defense must be carried out in accordance with international law. The number of injured and killed civilians in Gaza is large. The humanitarian needs in Gaza are enormous. Efforts need to be made to create humanitarian corridors and to establish a new humanitarian pause.

All parties need to take a stand once and for all so that there can be peace, just as in 1993 in the Oslo Accords. Let us hope that peace can be achieved - for Israel's population and the Jewish population but also for the population in Gaza. Sweden's government is in favor of a two-state solution, works for such a solution and sees it as the only possible way forward for a long-lasting peace.

On a personal level, I want to say that I suffer with all those affected by the war on both sides. I am particularly thinking of all the children who have been killed, injured, or lost their siblings or parents. But I also say that terrorist attacks like the one Hamas carried out must be condemned.

Madam Speaker! The situation in the Middle East is, for natural reasons, taking up much of the foreign policy engagement right now. But let me emphasize - I am glad that this applies to all parties in the Swedish Riksdag - that we will not lose focus on Ukraine. Russia's war against Ukraine has redrawn the security policy map.

Unfortunately, I can state that Russia's war has resulted in cooperation in a number of international organizations not functioning optimally. Russia blocks, fabricates, and refuses to participate in the structures where they are members. This is not the same as saying that the organizations should be dissolved or that cooperation with other countries and platforms would not be important.

Russia's blockade of organizations must be seen as a sign that the organizations are important. How the organizations shall continue to work after the war is another matter. But now we shall hold fast to the structures. This is important. There are important platforms for our near area in the Arctic in the form of the Arctic Council and the European security order that exists in the OSCE's area with 57 member countries.

Sweden's foreign policy arena is undoubtedly the EU. Sweden has recently concluded a successful presidency within the EU and is now continuing as a member of the EU. Russia's war against Ukraine has resulted in both Ukraine and Moldova being interested in EU membership, and this is something that the government supports. That the criteria for membership must be met is a matter of course. But I also want to say that it is impressive to see how Ukraine and Moldova are working purposefully to strengthen their respective countries in accordance with the EU's criteria.

I also want to mention that the UN is prioritized by the Swedish government. The UN is the international body where a majority of the world's countries are members, and that is why it is important for international cooperation.

The transatlantic link needs to be strengthened and developed. Sweden has an excellent cooperation with the USA and Canada, but the cooperation can be further developed. It serves both our nation and the rest of the world well.

The biggest change for Sweden's international cooperation is undoubtedly Sweden's application for membership in Nato. As in most other contexts, being alone is not strong. To protect Sweden and thereby contribute to increased security in our immediate area, Sweden is applying for membership in Nato. 28 of Nato's member countries ratified the Swedish membership application immediately at the time of application. Sweden has a well-developed cooperation with Nato, which bodes well for the upcoming cooperation.

Madam President! The threats that Sweden is exposed to today are not only military but include cybersecurity, disinformation, and fake news. There is an internet-based threat that knows no borders. International cooperation is extremely central if we are to succeed in addressing and combating the cyber threats. Of course, there is a national responsibility, but it is not enough.

I also want to mention the rights of women and girls. It is prioritized by the government and stands high on the agenda. In addition to the fact that the rights of women and girls have a value in themselves, violations constitute one of the greatest obstacles to equality as well as democratic and economic development in the world. It is something that we within the governing parties must continue to work for.

I also want to mention that important work is needed to enable countries to introduce and maintain laws against discrimination and to criminalize hate crimes against hbtqi persons. We can see how many hbtqi persons today experience an increased threat worldwide. This is nothing that Sweden stands behind.

The climate issue is also an area where international cooperation is crucial. International cooperation to strengthen the climate includes more and more policy areas and is on the agenda for virtually all the international organizations where Sweden is a member.

Let me mention a question that is important for international cooperation. It is how Sweden is perceived and viewed by other countries. It is about how countries are perceived by the rest of the world and how this develops over time. Here is the Nation Brands Index. I think it is fantastic that Sweden is in tenth place out of 60 included countries. We shall continue to work so that Sweden maintains a top-ten ranking.

When I have read the government's proposal for the budget, I can see that the intention is to work towards strengthening the image of Sweden and increasing knowledge about Sweden. How a country is perceived is significant for its credibility, for economic and financial relations, and for its work for the principles of the rule of law. Sweden shall be a country with high trust in the rest of the world.

Madam President! International cooperation is more important today than it has been in a long time. This was demonstrated, not least by the international covid pandemic. The climate issue shows it, cybersecurity shows it, and arms and weapons control shows it. I could continue here to mention area after area that clearly illustrates how important international cooperation and Swedish participation in it is.

I finally wish to move for the approval of the committee's proposal for a decision.

(Applause)

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

Håkan Svenneling (V)

Madam President! Russia's unforgivable war against Ukraine and the questioning of the European security order challenge the foundations of security in our immediate vicinity. For nearly two years, the Ukrainian people have shown that they refuse to be subdued by despot Putin's imperialist ambitions. With support from the rest of the world, they have heroically stood up to defend their country and shown that one can stop a ruthless and brutal aggressor who does not hesitate to commit war crimes daily, which can now be counted in the thousands.

Extensive sanctions against Russia, together with our military support, have been important for the Ukrainian military's successes, such as the retaking of the city of Kherson. But now the long-term nature of our support is being decided. More than military resources are now required to endure the cold winter. This is particularly relevant as the Russian military deliberately targets civilian targets such as energy supply.

We must support Ukraine militarily, civilly, humanitarily and financially in order to build resilience in Ukrainian society. Therefore, unity both in Sweden and in the EU is important for the Ukrainian people. In Sweden, I perceive that the unity is great, while at the same time we see several signs that it is wavering, primarily in the USA but also within the EU.

In August 2020, Alexander Lukashenko claimed that he had won the so-called election in Belarus. He had not. The Belarusian people rose in the millions and demonstrated. It showed that he did not have support. But Lukashenko spared no means and suppressed the people through brutal repression against everything and everyone. But above all, he remains in power thanks to support from his dictator friend Putin.

Europe and the Western world made many mistakes before the election, and after the election, it took far too long before sanctions were put in place. But the struggle for democracy in Belarus is far from over. Lukashenko's challenger, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, has been clear that support for the opposition, which is now located in among other places Lithuania, Poland and Sweden, must continue and, above all, increase in economic terms.

For over three years, activists on a voluntary basis have fought for democracy in Belarus. Now, our support for them must become more long-term and sustainable so that their strength does not fade. Fortunately, the government has partially heeded these words. Last month, the former ambassador to Belarus, Christina Johannesson, was appointed as a special envoy to the Belarusian opposition. Next week, Foreign Minister Tobias Billström will come to the Foreign Affairs Committee to inform us in more detail about this initiative. It is welcome.

The same support must be given to all those Russians who are now turning against the dictator Putin. It is they who are fighting for a different Russia, a democratic Russia. If we support them, we also support the possibility of a safer near area.

During Putin's time in power in Russia, the country has moved from being an emerging democracy back to a dictatorship. Today we see a reactionary, conservative and patriarchal rule that oppresses oppositionists and human rights defenders as well as acts aggressively towards its neighboring countries and plays a destabilizing role in world politics.

The authoritarian development culminated in Russia's unjust war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Russia has thus shown that it is a real security policy threat to its surroundings. But Putin's regime is also a threat to all those inhabitants who oppose the rule and who do not fit into the society that Putin wants to build.

The Russian opposition, consisting of brave LGBTQ activists, feminists, human rights defenders, and environmentalists, needs the world's support. This became clear, not least last week, when Putin's regime criminalized all LGBTQ persons through a new law. To support these fighters is to support a democratic development in Russia, and it will improve security both for them and for Russia's neighboring countries.

Against this background, Vänsterpartiet has allocated 20 million kronor in our budget proposal in support of the Russian and Belarusian opposition for 2024. During last year's general motion period, Vänsterpartiet also wrote a new motion regarding our policy concerning Russia's authoritarian development. I hope that more parties will notice the need for support for the Russian and Belarusian opposition and that we will see this proposal become a reality in the future. I know, for example, that good work is being carried out in the Riksdag's Belarus network, in which several parties are involved.

Madam President! One issue addressed in this report is the image of Sweden – an image that has taken a significant hit since the right-wing nationalist government took power. This is primarily because the government allows the Sverigedemokraterna to sit in the back seat and point out the direction for the journey ahead.

Excitingly enough, the government plus the Sweden Democrats hold the view that it is everyone else's fault that the image of Sweden is deteriorating. It is, however, obvious to everyone that the Sweden Democrats do not have Sweden's best interests in mind. You should probably change the party's name to the "Bad Sweden Image-Democrats", because in post after post, Sweden is being smeared. You violate religions, you wish death upon former prime ministers, and you want to demolish religious buildings. And you call that freedom of speech!

At the same time, a foreign policy is being conducted that is to be based on Swedish interests. After a little over a year with you in power, we see what that means: It must be bad for everyone else. It is reduced aid and increased hatred, and one has moved away from fundamental international principles. And so the government is surprised that the rest of the world is reacting!

I want to give the government two pieces of advice, even though I hardly believe you will listen: For a and solidarity foreign policy, where Sweden shows commitment to the rest of the world and to the world's poorest! And above all, kick the Sweden Democrats out of power! They show an obvious lack of integrity.

Madam President! In the report, we also address payments to international organizations. Few organizations are as globally important as the UN and its entire system of various sub-organizations.

What Sweden contributes to the UN is an important support for a better world. It is therefore worrying that the government is carrying out a deprioritization of the UN, above all of Swedish aid to the UN's organizations and, in the long run, to the world's poorest. Few organizations operate in as many places in the world as the UN's organizations. They remain in countries when other organizations leave them, for example in Afghanistan.

This also applies to the acute situation in Gaza, where the UN agency UNRWA is struggling in a horrific situation. Israel's military has already bombed and leveled northern Gaza in its impossible attempt to annihilate Hamas. Despite its great military capability, Israel has shown no precision. Instead, neighborhood after neighborhood has been bombed into piles of rubble.

In Israel's hunt for individual Hamas members, thousands of civilians have lost their lives. In no other conflict have so many UN employees been killed. Journalists trying to report are being killed like flies, and Reporters Without Borders state in a report that individual journalists have been targeted in some of Israel's attacks.

Now the Israeli military has shifted its focus to southern Gaza - a place where the majority of Gaza's inhabitants have moved in the hope of finding shelter from the bombs. Nothing other than a complete human catastrophe seems to await us now in the next step of this displacement. Do not forget that this is a crisis created by humans, not a natural disaster!

What has been missing in the Swedish debate are concrete proportions. The government, with the Foreign Minister at the forefront, has attempted to legitimize Israel's violence and killing, in defiance of the statements from the UN and human rights organizations.

I also think that understanding is completely lacking in the Swedish debate regarding how small the land area we are talking about actually is. For me as a person from Värmland, it is easy to compare it with my own constituency. Israel is somewhat larger than the Värmland that I represent, while the Palestinian territories, the West Bank and Gaza, are about one-third of Värmland's area.

Värmland has 16 municipalities - for those of you who did not know that. Kil municipality is the fourth smallest and corresponds to Gaza in size. In Kil municipality, 12,000 inhabitants live, which corresponds to 33 inhabitants per square kilometer. In Gaza, the figure is over 5,000 inhabitants per square kilometer. It is in this small area that Israel has dropped thousands of bombs. That tens of thousands have been killed is not unexpected. That most are children is also not unexpected, as the median age in Gaza is 18 years.

Madam President! This year marks 75 years since the displacement of Palestinians, the so-called al-Nakba, began. This has affected generations of Palestinians. It was rooted in an imperialist policy that was decided over the heads of the Palestinian people. Even today, the world has not been able to create peace and reconciliation.

The main reason for this is the Israeli occupation and Israeli politicians who have drawn their lifeblood from hatred towards another people. The main protagonist of today's politics in this is Benjamin Netanyahu, a politician who has survived more political crises than anyone else in over 30 years and who leads the most far-right government that Israel has ever had. It is a government that not only hates the Palestinian people but also human rights and the principles of the rule of law.

The problem is that the Swedish right, in its eagerness to be right-wing, is now following Netanyahu's lead. Instead of seeing reality and criticizing him and his government's policy, criticizing the occupation and working to ensure that Sweden is a positive force in the region, the right dreams of moving Israel's capital to Jerusalem, similar to Trump, without peace negotiations. They no longer want to call the hermetically sealed Gaza the result of an occupation and no longer see the damage of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. All of this means that one is counteracting a long-term sustainable peace.

A lasting peace between Israel and Palestine presupposes that Israel ends the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory and begins to respect the Palestinians' fundamental human rights.

The EU needs to show in action that it is serious about the criticism it directs at occupations and settlement policy. The EU should suspend the association agreement with Israel and put pressure on Israel to engage in the peace process and cease the apartheid-like treatment of Palestinians through forced displacement, confiscation of land and extrajudicial executions.

The Swedish government must take the initiative for the EU to introduce sanctions against Israeli settlements and that the sanctions include an arms embargo. It would be a policy for international law and, in the long run, a policy for peace.

But above all: Now we need a ceasefire, and it needs to happen immediately. The Swedish government is not capable of demanding it yet. Other world leaders have realized it. Yesterday we heard Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative, say it. Emmanuel Macron in France has said it for a long time. But in Sweden, the same tired talking points are repeated, while people are dying in Gaza.

Madam President! With this, I want to say that the Left Party sees the budget as a whole and that we therefore will not participate in the decision at today's vote. We do, however, stand behind our motion and our special statement regarding Expenditure Area 5 International Cooperation.

(Applause)

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

Yusuf Aydin (KD)

Madam President! I would like to begin by moving for approval of the government's appropriation proposal for expenditure area 5 and also move for the rejection of the submitted motions.

International cooperation is perhaps our most important tool for a stable and secure world. Through dialogue and cooperation with other countries, we strengthen our security and safety and also get the opportunity to promote the values that are important to us on a global arena.

Sweden is a small country but a historically strong foreign policy voice. Several major crises are currently occurring in our global environment, and several conflicts are interacting. There is war in our neighborhood following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Hamas's despicable attack against Israel and its civilian population on October 7 has led to the Israel-Palestine conflict flaring up again to a scale we have not seen before. This development has created a greater need for dialogue and cooperation.

The tragedy that has unfolded in the Middle East has also created discord and polarization worldwide. On Swedish streets and squares, slogans for Hamas are chanted, while disinformation is spread in campaigns whose purpose is to create a threat against Sweden and our population. Islamist voices point out Sweden as anti-Islamic, and the security situation has deteriorated as a result of this. Two Swedish football supporters in Brussels paid the ultimate price for the Islamists' hatred. We can also see similar actions taking place in large parts of the Western world.

Madam Speaker! In these times, Sweden's strong foreign policy voice must not be silenced; on the contrary. In the appropriation for expenditure area 5, the government allocates funds to international organizations such as the UN, the Council of Europe, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, for peace and security-promoting activities and research, for cooperation within the Nordic and Baltic Sea regions, and to strengthen information about Sweden abroad. This appropriation and this work have perhaps never been as important as they are now.

It is precisely on the international arena that Sweden can make a difference in the major issues such as promoting human rights, democracy and freedom and combating poverty and hunger. By standing up for a rules-based world order, we can contribute to creating security and prosperity.

To do just this, we need to take a clearer stand against authoritarian and oppressive states. Sweden must be a driving force for change within the UN so that states cannot duck their responsibility regarding human rights. The UN needs to become more proactive and act more resolutely to defend these values.

Madam Speaker! Most authoritarian states do not share our view of the inviolable value of human beings regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. We must make this visible, especially within the UN. Several forces oppose this international world order. Hamas is actively working to annihilate the Israeli state and the Jewish people. They act like IS when those tried to exterminate the Christian minority in the Middle East.

Values, freedom and democracy - that is why we stand behind Israel's right to defend itself. We stand behind Israel's goal to neutralize Hamas's military capability. At the same time, it is important that all warfare, regardless of who it concerns, adheres to international humanitarian law and to the principles of international law. Israel needs to do its utmost to protect civilians. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is acute and the suffering is great. The emergency in Gaza requires that we act. That is why the government has contributed an additional 150 million kronor in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.

Madam Speaker! Internationally, Sweden works for freedom, democracy and human rights and for building bridges between cultures. These turbulent times clearly highlight how the traditionally international contradictions have now taken root in Sweden and polarize us at home. We now need to work just as actively to unite and heal Sweden so that we can in this way be an even stronger foreign policy voice that works for peace and freedom, for democracy and for human rights.

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

Anna Lasses (C)

Madam President! In a world where fear and anxiety are growing and where countries are closing themselves off more and more and focusing on what is important for that specific country's security, it is more important than ever to have the strength to take on the leadership role to be the one who stands out and constantly points out that we must work together for democracy, for freedom, for all people's equal value and for our planet, simply because we live on one and the same planet. If security and the climate are threatened in one country, we are all threatened.

It is together that we solve the insecurity, the poverty, and the threats to democracy. It is together we ensure that the climate continues to be such that humanity and other biological beings can continue to live on our planet. But right now, everyone is going in the opposite direction, and the take-as-much-as-you-can-and-ignore-others mentality is growing.

In such a situation, it is more important than ever that Sweden as a country stands up for what we have been good at for a long time: a leadership for diplomacy, pragmatism and the ability to find consensus and solutions, while at the same time the defense of human rights, freedom, democracy and the principles of the rule of law must never be compromised.

There is, however, reason for concern, because the leadership wavers and the image of Sweden is changing. In Sweden, the gaps are increasing, which is visible in the escalated violence, and instead of gathering the fragments, the Tidögänget [Tidögänget] divides society by pointing at us and them. This is visible outwardly. And instead of taking the lead and standing at the forefront of the barricades against the greatest threat facing humanity - climate change - they content themselves with backing down and saying that we have been so skilled that others can now do a better job and step forward while we rest for a while. At least that is how it looks, and it is not enough.

It is the government's responsibility to do everything to reduce the threat profile against Sweden and take responsibility for every individual who lives in our country - everyone, not just some. It is not possible to hide and leave the image of Sweden to the Swedish Institute or anything of the sort, but the responsibility lies with the government to reach our goals regarding safety and climate, which in turn leads to what image the world will have of our country.

In an uneasy world, it is more important than ever not to build walls against others but to consciously and systematically tear down every obstacle that is built up. Of course, we should nurture and safeguard relations with countries in the free world where we have democracy, but we must simultaneously build relations with more, reach out a hand and work actively with diplomacy, trade, and aid – for example, to organizations around the world that fight for human rights and democracy.

Then I want to talk about Ukraine. At a time when eyes are beginning to be drawn elsewhere, while Russia is working hard to spread mistrust, it is even more important that Sweden stands firm. We have all touched upon this, and here I know that the government and all the parties in the Riksdag agree. But we must all constantly repeat and remind ourselves of this, until the day when Ukraine, or rather democracy, has won this war. As an opposition party, we have a duty to support, pressure, and push the government so that words are transformed into clear and active action, so that one is constantly saying: We are doing well, but we can do more!

It is my message to the government parties. We may disagree on much, but let us do more. And when we think we have done everything, let us do a little more - for our freedom and for our democracy.

Centerpartiet abstains from participating in the decision on this point. We refer to our own budget proposal.

Then I must nevertheless conclude with the first stanza from Bishop Thomas's freedom song from the 1400s. I think it is important in this context, also considering how the debate has been today:

Freedom is the best thing that can be sought, the whole world surrounds it, she can bear her right.

For me and the Center Party, freedom of expression is sacred. It is also one of the absolute most important values we fight for internationally.

It also entails responsibility, especially as those in power. All of us sitting in this room know that. Everyone here also knows what the consequences will be when it is abused, even though it is of course permitted. It should be, but nevertheless.

I still wonder when the government will speak up and put Sweden's security and Swedish values ahead of the thirst for power.

(Applause)

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

Joar Forssell (L)

Madam President! The world's dictators, the world's anti-democrats, the powers that dislike the liberal, democratic world order are cooperating more and more and ever more deeply.

When Hamas carried out its horrific acts of terrorism on October 7, they did so partly with North Korean weapons and with training and intelligence information from Iran. When Russia bombs in Ukraine, they do so partly with the help of drones that are manufactured in Iran and with Chinese components.

There are some actors who drive most of the conflicts. Russia, China and Iran are the axis of evil. They are cooperating more deeply, and they are cooperating more. The answer must be that we democrats, we who believe in the liberal democratic world order, cooperate even more and even more deeply, both to strengthen ourselves and our democracy and to combat Russia, China and Iran wherever they attempt to act against the values that we have in common.

Madam President! When it comes to Ukraine, it is obvious that Ukraine must win the war and that Russia must lose. Putin and those who share his ideas of revanchism and Great Russia must be pushed back. They cannot get anything. If they get anything, it means that one learns that one can act in the way that one does and profit from it. Then the war will spread to more countries. That is why it is important that we do everything we can to stand on Ukraine's side.

Madam President! Taiwan is a country, even if not all countries in the world recognize it. There is a clear territory, a clear people, and a clear state power. It is impossible to escape the fact that Taiwan, purely from a political science perspective, is its own independent country - whether one likes it or not.

The Liberals are clear that we believe Sweden should open a proper representative office in Taipei. We believe that a deepened cooperation in our international relations is needed. Sweden needs to support Taiwan when they seek to be included in various international collaborations, precisely because it is one of the world's most well-functioning democracies.

Madam Speaker! The Liberals' position is also that Sweden, as a principle, should say yes to arms sales to democracies. Taiwan is an obvious such example. Taiwan should be able to defend itself and its citizens with Swedish weapons. It would be a source of pride for us if we made that possible.

Madam Speaker! Israel is another democracy that is currently under very heavy pressure. We mean, of course, that a two-state solution needs to be achieved in the long run. It must be emphasized that all parties in a conflict shall follow and act within the framework of international law. At the same time, we must see that it is not possible to reach a two-state solution as long as the terrorist organization Hamas's occupation of Gaza and attacks against Israel's civilian population continue. It must be a common goal for the democratic world to neutralize Hamas's military capability.

In that also lies a general deepened cooperation with Israel. It can be about between companies from Sweden and Israel, it can be about the academy, and it can be about other interpersonal contacts. But it is also about that even Israel, as the democracy it is, must be able to purchase Swedish weapons. The only reasonable thing in this situation and all other situations is that a democracy is allowed to purchase weapons from another democracy.

Madam President! I also mentioned China and Iran. These are two countries that we need to counter to a much greater extent than we already do in our international cooperation. Regarding China, it is, for example, a matter of being much tougher when it comes to exports to China but also imports and investments from China in Sweden. There are no companies from China that are private in practice, because China is not a market economy with property rights. CEOs and corporate leaders who do not obey the Chinese Communist Party disappear and are taken away and so on. Then one cannot claim that business with a Chinese company is done with anyone other than an extension of the Communist Party.

Investments in, for example, factories in Sweden that hold municipalities or the whole of Sweden hostage, or deals that mean we end up in a position of dependency on China, need to be stopped. It is about our security, our democracy, and our freedom. Instead, we obviously need to deepen trade with many other countries.

Madam Speaker! When it comes to Iran, it is completely obvious for the Liberals that we need to move forward faster, tougher, and harder, including in terms of the terror classification of the IRGC and further measures against the Iranian leadership. People in Iran thirst for freedom and democracy. If we can do what we can to make that a reality, we can ensure that one of the powers of the axis of evil can instead develop in the right direction.

Madam Speaker! With that said, I would like to move for the approval of the committee's proposal in the report.

(Applause)

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

Jacob Risberg (MP)

Madam Speaker! We find ourselves in a time of great societal challenges. Climate change and a severe loss of biodiversity are shaking the fundamental conditions for safety, freedom, and economic development.

Sweden finds itself in a difficult position in a restless world. Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine has plunged Europe and Sweden into a cost crisis that affects households, businesses, and welfare. It is a time that requires a powerful economic policy and clear climate policy leadership. But instead of investing in tomorrow's solutions, the government is retreating into the future with a policy that is short-sighted and insufficient when it comes to meeting the challenges we face.

Miljöpartiet shows in our budget proposal that another way is possible, a way that secures welfare and accelerates the green transition.

That the government and SD do not invest more in welfare means that, de facto, one is forcing through savings and tax increases in municipalities and regions. We already see now that nurses are being laid off while the healthcare queues are far too long. This austerity policy will hit hardest those who are in a tough economic situation and who are in greatest need of welfare services. But in the long run, we will all be affected. The teachers in schools, the nurses in healthcare, the nursing assistants in elderly care – it is their work that SD and the government are now making more difficult.

Leading the green transition and investing in the infrastructure and technology that will form the basis for Sweden's future prosperity will lead to a range of competitive advantages for Swedish employees and companies. If we do not invest, we risk not only failing to reach the climate goals but also falling behind in the green industrial transition, which is now beginning to gain momentum in the rest of the world.

In order for Sweden to take advantage of the opportunity that the green transition offers, it must be fair and build a society that holds together, a society that is for everyone and not just for a few.

Madam President! Sweden shall be an international voice for democracy, peace and human rights. Now is not the time to back away from our international commitments - on the contrary. The government's policy is a setback for Swedish foreign and development policy and a clear departure from the values that were upheld when Sweden pursued a feminist foreign policy. Cooperation is crucial in a difficult time with difficult challenges. Therefore, we are investing 200 million kronor so that Sweden's fees to international organizations shall remain at the level we have seen in recent years.

It is crucial that the Swedish Institute can work powerfully with support for civil society, even in a difficult context. One example of this is the support to civil society organizations and organizations that work to strengthen Belarusian culture. Terminating such support has the effect of reinforcing Lukashenko's pursuit of making Belarus a part of Russia. Instead, we want Sweden to support the work to maintain culture and free media in Belarus.

Madam President! A strong UN is important for the transition to sustainable and democratic societies throughout the world. International cooperation is more important than ever. The UN is the only arena that includes and has legitimacy with the entire international community, and it is therefore important that, among other things, international security issues are handled within the UN framework to the greatest extent possible and that Sweden is an active and engaged member.

That the UN consists of the majority of all the world's countries is a strength. But it is also an immense challenge, as many of the members' representatives are from brutal undemocratic regimes.

The Green Party wants the UN to have a clearer and more powerful mandate to coordinate work on global issues, for example climate change, nature and environmental destruction, poverty, as well as work for development, human rights and peace. When the international community engages for peace, the armed conflict is often already a fact, and when a ceasefire is achieved, the engagement is often scaled back. Green security policy wants to break with that pattern. Peace is not just the absence of violence, and therefore peace work is also about supporting the foundation for peaceful societies.

It is important that more states contribute to the UN's peacekeeping forces, and Sweden, as a wealthy and, so far, non-aligned country, has particularly good reasons to do so. By participating in international peace-promoting missions, we can contribute to preventing, managing and resolving crises and conflicts as well as facilitating peacebuilding. The main purpose of such missions should always be to contribute to a better future for the local population. The missions shall aim to safeguard international peace and human security based on international law. Military means can only be considered when all other alternatives have been exhausted.

Madam President! Sweden shall also contribute to military disarmament in the world. Today's possibilities for exceptions for the export of war materiel must be restricted very significantly. ISP will need more resources to handle the increased amount of cases that may become relevant in connection with Sweden's membership in Nato. It is of the utmost importance that ISP can continue to perform a thorough assessment of, among other things, the democracy criterion, especially now when Sweden's international commitments open up for exports to countries that previously were not relevant. Swedish weapons manufacturing and weapons exports must not undermine the work for peace, democratization, and human rights.

Madam Speaker! The Green Party has a vision of global disarmament and peace. Included in that vision is an overarching goal of an abolition of the world's nuclear weapons. Access to nuclear weapons constitutes one of the most serious security threats in our time, with the potential to completely wipe out humanity and other life on Earth. Therefore, we are pushing forcefully that Sweden should join the UN convention on a global nuclear weapons ban and increase efforts in international disarmament work. We want the nuclear-armed countries to jointly and mutually disarm their arsenals.

Today, unfortunately, the trend is heading in the wrong direction. In recent years, several important nuclear weapons agreements have been abandoned by nuclear-armed countries, while several countries have begun to upgrade and expand their arsenals. The ambitions for disarmament must increase dramatically to stop this development. Swedish research on disarmament and non-proliferation in the new security policy situation must increase. Russia threatens to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine, and in recent years we have seen how chemical weapons have been used in warfare in, among other places, Syria.

With and including a Swedish NATO membership, the government is expected to stand behind NATO's nuclear weapons policy. To counterbalance these new threats of the use of chemical or nuclear weapons and in light of a potential new nuclear weapons line, it is necessary that research on disarmament and non-proliferation be significantly strengthened. We therefore invest in increased appropriations to, among others, the Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament, FOI's CBRN activities, and other projects both in Sweden and abroad that are carried out in the field. This applies particularly to nuclear weapons, disarmament policy in general, as well as follow-up regarding follow-on deliveries and the use of artificial intelligence in weapons systems.

Madam Speaker! There are many other treats in Miljöpartiet's own budget motion, but I will not take up any more of the House's time. So, for those who are interested in the entirety of our policy, I ask to refer to that motion.

International cooperation

With this, I wish all my colleagues in the committee a Merry Christmas.

(Applause)

In this speech, Jan Riise (MP) agreed.

The deliberation was hereby concluded.

(Decisions were made under § 14.)

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