Economic policy

Kjell Jansson (M)

Madam Speaker! Some regard private enterprise as a dangerous tiger that must be shot. Others regard it as a cow to be milked. Too few realize that it is the horse that pulls the load.

This is a quote by Winston Churchill.

Madam Speaker! I begin by moving to approve the committee's proposal for a decision.

Business policy, what is it? Well, it is policy that is intended to provide the best conditions for businesses and entrepreneurs in Sweden to operate. Small businesses and export companies are the root of Sweden's economy. World-class export companies in Sweden are, for example, Volvo, Scania, ABB, Atlas Copco, SCA, Ericsson and Astra Zeneca - fantastic companies that in some cases have operated for over a hundred years.

Our export industry accounts for 52 percent of GDP. Never underestimate that! That is why it is important that we have good relations with the outside world in all ways, both with the EU and with the rest of the world. There are good examples of such things that the government is doing right now. Our capable Minister for Development Cooperation and Trade, Johan Forssell, opened a new consulate two months ago in California, which is the world's fifth largest economy.

It is important that we link aid with trade to a greater extent instead of just sending out aid in the world in blanco, as has been done previously.

We must travel more in the world to bring home more orders to our export industry. We must fly more. We must travel by train more. We must travel by car more. We must increase mobility in the rest of the world.

Business policy

What is it that builds companies? Well, it is people with creative thoughts and entrepreneurship who are prepared to risk their own capital, people who are prepared to take a bit more responsibility than the average person does.

We have had many capable business leaders in Sweden who have built companies - Curt Nicolin with Asea and ABB, Leif Östling who for 27 years was CEO of Scania, Hans Werthén with Electrolux and Gustaf Douglas with Securitas and Assa Abloy. What were their qualities? Yes, an ability to lift their employees, make them important and create trust and self-confidence in them. Not least, they educated their staff so that the company would be competitive. I have spoken with these business leaders - not Curt but the others. They say that this has been the root for getting the companies to grow.

What should we in the Riksdag do to facilitate things for the companies? We have just had a long debate about less red tape and more opportunities, and it was interesting to listen to. Some say that they want to reduce the red tape, but I interpret it as them partly wanting to increase it.

Many are pushing forward with new rules, not least the EU. Orders are constantly coming from the EU with more complications. I wonder: What use can a family business with fewer than ten employees have from having a work environment plan? Then the Swedish Work Environment Authority comes to visit and threatens with a fine if there is something wrong with the plan or if it is too old. I think it is highly questionable what use this is for the entrepreneurs and for Sweden.

This means that many small businesses choose not to have more than ten employees. One has eight or nine, and if one has more activity, one packs it into more companies and proceeds in that manner. It is a way to bypass the rather rabid legislation.

The Environmental Code also constitutes a major obstacle to many companies' growth, with permit requirements and the like.

Furthermore, both municipalities and state agencies should have service guarantees for permits. The County Administrative Board and the Swedish Mapping Authority are examples of agencies that have long processing times. The County Administrative Board can have up to two years to review building permit cases with shore protection here in Stockholm County.

Madam Speaker! Property rights are part of the Moderates' DNA. This applies to all issues, whether it is forest policy or representation on corporate boards.

A question that has been highlighted is how landowners in northern Sweden see their land being claimed by other businesses with the approval of the County Administrative Board and other authorities. Reindeer husbandry is a part of Swedish culture but must not encroach on other important areas of society and the ownership rights for private land.

Madam Speaker! Unfair competition from state agencies and municipalities is also something that must be curbed. Clearer legislation must be developed to limit it. Examples are municipal gyms and state-owned companies that compete with tax money as venture capital. For example, machine rental is something they are doing, something that private companies do with their own money. I think it is serious that one competes with tax money.

We government parties must also push to get the farm sales started. It is going far too slowly. This is important, not least for the countryside and rural areas, where this industry fits well. Therefore, we need to press here.

Arbetsförmedlingen is an obstacle to getting the right personnel. It needs to be reformed. I believe we give Arbetsförmedlingen between 90 and 100 billion in appropriations per year. That is gigantic money. That also includes the unemployment insurance, so it is not just personnel. But I still want to point out that it is an inefficient agency, since we are discussing agencies here.

What does a company do when profitability goes down? In the first instance, it looks at its organization and its costs. A company cannot do what politically steered activities and organizations do and just raise the tax and say that there are too few resources. One has to go the other way. That is the difference if one is to be competitive as an entrepreneur today or not. It is also the difference between a market economy and a planned economy.

Madam Speaker! It is of the utmost importance that we in the Riksdag take our responsibility for the infrastructure so that it functions for our companies. The road network is under heavy criticism in parts of the country. The eastern connection has been discussed for 15-20 years here in the Stockholm region, and it is necessary to build it. The Stockholm region accounts for 40 percent of the GDP in Sweden, and if we do not get the eastern connection built, we will become the last capital within the EU that does not have a ring road. We already are, as Tirana in Albania just received one. We are, therefore, behind Tirana and Albania.

Furthermore, Arlanda needs to be expanded and strengthened for better connections with the rest of the world, as I mentioned, not least for the export industry.

Madam Speaker! In Norrland, investment is being made in new industry. Much state money is being pumped into Hybrit, which is expected to produce fossil-free steel. It is commendable. But many question marks remain, not least regarding the electricity supply. Hybrit is calculated to draw half of Finland's electricity consumption annually. Weak power grids and a lack of nuclear power make this a question mark.

Energy is the state's responsibility. The Riksdag has responsibility and has agreed to build a robust energy system with expanded nuclear power and expanded hydropower at existing sites to meet an increased electricity demand in the future. Therefore, it is not sufficient to build a little wind power here and there. The other day, wind power provided 1.5 percent of Sweden's energy supply and hydropower provided 55 percent.

Hydropower has been the key to Sweden's development over the last 150 years. All around Sweden, hydropower is now being tested according to EU directives. It is important that we preserve hydropower and do not decommission it. It is important for our electricity systems and for property rights. A good deal of the hydropower is owned by private individuals and companies; it is not only Vattenfall and Fortum that own it.

It is of great importance that the Riksdag decides on a modern and robust energy policy with new nuclear power so that the country's export industry can be secured for the future.

Madam Speaker! I see that I have exceeded my speaking time, but I still want to bring up this matter regarding the mining industry and mineral policy. My hope is that Sweden opens up for mineral mining, for example uranium and cobalt as well as other metals. Today we import these metals from the third world and from China. It is highly unfortunate. We should be self-sufficient in them.

Sweden would also become a significantly wealthier country if we got this started. Furthermore, we would have the world's best mines. They would be safest and best for the personnel. We also have fantastic technology for this. Atlas Copco has built this rock technology for many years.

Finally, it is of great importance that Sweden maintains its competitiveness against the rest of the world. We can only do this through education, technological development, and lower taxes on work. Hard work must pay off. Companies are the guarantors of our prosperity. Companies are also the guarantors of new jobs in the future.

Last but not least, it is of great importance that the economic surplus target remains. It is the guarantee for Sweden's economy.

(Applause)

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

Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)

Madam Speaker! Thank you for the speech, Kjell Jansson! There were many examples of things happening in our country and regarding the many investments, not least in the northern parts of Sweden.

In a situation where Svenskt Näringsliv is quite clear that Sweden needs powerful investments within the innovation area, the Swedish government chooses to announce cuts in the area of up to ½ billion until 2026.

Madam Speaker! Both I and Member Kjell Jansson come from the Stockholm region. No new large industries are being established here, but what we have are strong high-innovation companies, so-called startup and scaleup companies, which can contribute to strengthened Swedish competitiveness. And that is what they have done. Companies such as Klarna and Spotify, to mention just two, are companies that come from our city.

In order for more such companies to be able to grow and for more Stockholmers to get work in what will be the green transition, we need to invest in those companies. But the government announces cuts in the area. Why does the government choose not to act in an issue that is important for the Stockholm region's competitiveness?

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

Kjell Jansson (M)

Madam Speaker and Member Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro! Investments must be made on market economic grounds. The government cannot put money into everything. One still puts in quite a lot of money. Today, several state-owned companies in Norrland, LKAB and SSAB among others, are involved in these industrial investments. They are therefore using their profits, which they invest in these companies. One example is Hybrit, which has also received money from Industriklivet.

My answer is therefore quite simple. It must be based on market economy to a greater extent.

I can also reflect on a few things. There is a lot of talk about all the industrial initiatives. But some of our largest entrepreneurs who are venture capitalists and enter many companies are not entering these investments. I find that a bit surprising.

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

Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)

Madam Speaker! Of course, it should be on market terms. In that case, I must ask the member if he thinks that Spain, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the USA have any form of planned economy. Their states do precisely this. They step in and support the highly innovative companies because they know what return it can give them in the future. They also have innovation strategies intended to make the countries competitive in the future. Unfortunately, we lack that in Sweden.

It is strange to claim that venture capitalists do not invest in the highly innovative companies. It is simply not true. They have done so for many years in Sweden. Sweden is actually the country in the EU that has the largest share of venture capital. That is also why there has been a fairly good ecosystem in Stockholm for the highly innovative companies. It simply does not hold up, Kjell Jansson.

It is, however, true that cuts have been announced in the innovation area, in a situation where one does not even have a finished plan for what one wants with Swedish innovations.

As I mentioned in my previous reply, this is an important issue for the Stockholm region's competitiveness. I therefore ask again: Why are cuts being ruled out for the highly innovative companies in a situation where Spain, France, Germany and the USA - to name just a few - are making massive investments in their highly innovative companies and their innovation systems?

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

Kjell Jansson (M)

Madam Speaker and Member Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro! What I said was that there is too little venture capital coming into the investments up in Norrland. It is mostly state money. There is, however, venture capital in large proportions in the rest of Sweden. That is what I want to be clear about.

Regarding what Spain, the USA and others are doing, I also have views that I have not raised. The USA is now participating and putting in a lot of money to match China. It is about them waging a fight against China to win large orders in the world. That is probably the reason.

I do not think it is healthy in the long run. Furthermore, the USA has a rather large national debt. I do not think it is sustainable for them to continue pumping money into such things. Everyone talks about sustainability. I do not think this is sustainable.

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

Tobias Andersson (SD)

Madam Speaker! I would like to begin by moving for approval of our reservation 8 under point 3 Other regarding business-promoting measures.

Business policy is an incredibly broad political area, which the Committee on Industry has the privilege of working with. It encompasses everything from large-scale industrial policy to the policy for the individual small business owner within the tourism industry.

The conditions for Swedish business are also largely affected by issues that belong in other political committees and at ministries that our committee does not correspond to.

Competence supply is one such thing. There, the Education Committee in particular has a great responsibility. If we are to succeed in the transition - everyone is talking about the green transition - we have a great need for good competence supply to make it possible.

Taxes are another issue that affects the business sector's conditions but which our committee does not handle. Not least, the government base has clearly communicated that lower taxes are needed to create growth.

Infrastructure is also an area that does not belong in our committee but which, on the whole, is a fundamental prerequisite for large parts of the Swedish business sector.

Unfortunately, crime has also become a major issue for the Swedish business owners, Madam Speaker. Svenskt Näringsliv estimates that the total cost for Sweden's business community to prevent and replace the costs that arise in the context of crime amounts to approximately 100 billion.

With that said, the Committee on Enterprise, despite the fact that all other committees have much to say regarding what concerns the conditions for the Swedish business sector, has a number of important issues. This report concerns many of them. I will attempt to work my way through some of the policy areas that are included in the report.

It may, however, be wise to begin by saying that the Sweden Democrats' basic position in the area of industrial policy is based on a belief in the market. For example, industrial policy is addressed in this report. It is an area that, to an all too great extent, is no longer characterized by just the market's mechanisms for the allocation of capital.

We previously listened to the Moderate Kjell Jansson, who was concerned about the risk-taking that is now occurring from the state side in enormously capital-intensive investments in Sweden in unexplored areas. It is a new transition that is taking place. There, the state's role is far too large, according to the Sweden Democrats.

This government is doing a lot to facilitate the industrial policy area. The Sweden Democrats further highlight in the report that we want to see an industrial commission to accompany the productivity commission that has been presented by the government. We are doing a lot to ensure perhaps the biggest burden for Swedish industry, namely that we have historically had low electricity prices. The government basis is doing an enormous amount to guarantee a secure electricity supply all over Sweden.

We also see how the competence supply is being strengthened, not least by letting the school focus on STEM subjects and the strategy that has been presented in this area. It is a move to ensure that we actually view education as a means to guarantee that we get the right competence into the labor market and let politics have an opinion on this area. The government base has also put forward further education of professionals. All of this facilitates things for Swedish industry. At the same time, we have presented a national plan for cement supply. We are also doing a lot to facilitate mining in Sweden.

Innovation policy is also a part of this. It undeniably goes hand in hand with parts of industrial policy. Sweden is a world-class country, according to the innovation indices that exist. From the Sweden Democrats' side, we have long been clear that the policy focus to facilitate innovation should be on removing obstacles rather than playing venture capitalists themselves and trying to finance innovation. There are other actors who are significantly better suited for that. On the other hand, the state can facilitate synergy effects and offer different types of testbeds and other things where companies can test their technology and their innovations. But ultimately, it must be the private capital that is allocated.

If one has a good idea, there is also, according to basic economic theory, capital that someone wants to invest in it. If one, on the other hand, does not have a good idea, one may instead be in need of money from the state, which may make a different assessment of the market risks of the project. In this political area, a research and innovation proposition goes further. There, not least the Committee on Industry has actively monitored its interests in this through public meetings, hearings, and so on.

We also see that capital supply is highlighted in this report. I have touched upon the nature of the issue, namely that capital is allocated to good ideas in a well-functioning market and that capital is allocated to other places when one does not have a well-functioning market. Here we have highlighted the need for a review of the state business supports that are paid out from a multitude of different agencies, for example Vinnova, Tillväxtverket, Energimyndigheten, and Naturvårdsverket. It also concerns EU funds and everything from direct grants to credits and other types of support.

There is no consolidated picture of how much goes from the public to the private, and it is therefore very difficult to follow up. That type of review has been requested by the Sverigedemokraterna in order to subsequently have the opportunity to evaluate what effect is obtained from the various public support programs that exist for the private, or so-called private, business sector to take part in.

The report also highlights competition issues. The government basis has begun the work of strengthening the Competition Authority's muscles and capabilities to, among other things, take a closer look at the unhealthy public competition that exists in various markets. It is the KOS regulatory framework that surrounds this. We have also made a budget supplement to the Competition Authority and see that this is work that needs to continue.

The tourism industry is also included in the report. I began by addressing the major industrial policy and intended to conclude with the tourism industry, which consists not least of many small companies that establish themselves and enable fantastic stays in Sweden for both Swedes and foreigners across the entire country.

The Sweden Democrats see a need to support Visit Sweden's marketing work with Sweden as a destination towards persons both in other countries and within the country. We see that the farm sales must be implemented immediately and that the type of guardianship that has characterized the area needs to be rejected when we move from the investigation's proposals to actual action and present a proposition here in Sweden's Riksdag.

The Sweden Democrats also want to strengthen mountain tourism. We see that it is under attack from various actors. This is an issue that is highlighted in this report. Furthermore, a number of measures have already been taken, which we highlighted in the previous debate on regulatory simplifications where the government basis addressed permits for events, hotel permits, and other matters. To expand on that a bit, it is also time to look at food requirements, kitchen requirements, and other matters in order to continue facilitating for the tourism industry.

Madam Speaker! I have now attempted to highlight both the large and the small contained within this committee report and the Sweden Democrats' view on the same.

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

Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Tobias Andersson, for the speech! I would like to dwell a little on the large-scale industrial investments and on the area of innovation, because massive investments are taking place in Sweden now. I highlighted this in my speech in the previous debate we had today. According to me and my party, it is fortunate and good for Sweden that we have these investments and that the state and the business sector can make them together to secure Swedish competitiveness today and in the future in a world where we see a green race between several different states.

Madam Speaker! Tobias Andersson and the Sverigedemokraterna have expressed great skepticism regarding the various investments. I would like to ask the member: If it is not the investments we see today that one should invest in, what other investments does Sverigedemokraterna envision? Which other major industries does one want to attract to Sweden or ensure conditions are created for to grow in Sweden?

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

Tobias Andersson (SD)

Madam Speaker! I thank Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro for the question, as it points out exactly what differs in our parties' views on industrial policy and on the role of politics towards the private business sector. I do not think it is I, as a politician in the Swedish Riksdag, who should decide which industrial establishments should take place.

The question was, Madam Speaker, what the Sweden Democrats believe is the next major industrial establishment in Sweden. I believe that private capital can determine that better, and I think it is reasonable that the role of politics in all of this is to enable establishments, clear away unnecessary bureaucracy and administration, ensure competence supply as well as electricity production and electricity distribution, enable fast permit processes and other things. Which industrial establishment takes place in Sweden is then up to the market to decide.

Madam Speaker! The problem is that the state currently takes a large part of the risk in the high-risk projects taking place in Sweden. The heavy industrial establishments taking place are the state highly involved in through its own ownership in wholly or partially state-owned companies, through Swedish support packages and European money that comes in and through credits and guarantees and so on.

Madam Speaker! What would be reasonable instead is if the policy guaranteed the basic prerequisites. Not least, the energy supply has been the tight sector for many industries in Sweden. If the policy takes a greater responsibility to guarantee electricity, the policy does not need to finance those who consume the electricity in their industrial establishments. I think that is to start in the right direction, but I believe, as I said, that the question put its finger on the differences between our parties.

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

Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)

Madam Speaker! Then I would like to say that the answer pointed out the difference between our parties. It is not I as a politician who has said that fossil-free steel is a great idea, but it is SSAB and LKAB.

Steel has been one of Sweden's most important export goods for a hundred years, and now that a way has been found to produce the steel fossil-free, the Sweden Democrats are skeptical. Who is it then that is interfering with what those in the business sector want to do? It is the Sweden Democrats who are saying stop. We say: If you think it is a good idea, go for it!

Madam Speaker! The state can be an enabler. The business sector should, of course, be given the conditions to operate. But if one views things as that the state is merely an instance that is supposed to remove problems and not at all be the one that enables a better society and that more jobs end up in Sweden, then one has actually failed a bit in its mission as a politician and its responsibility towards Swedish citizens, I think.

It is the case that the state is also an actor and needs to take a large part of the risk, just as the business sector does. The business sector has been clear - one is willing to take a risk, but the state must also do so.

Tobias Andersson has had dialogues with, among others, Svenskt Näringsliv, which he has boasted about quite a bit today. Has this not come out there? Has the business community not said this to the chairman of the Committee on Industry? I don't believe that, because the business community says it to me and all other members of the Committee on Industry.

Madam Speaker! When it comes to removing obstacles, I have a follow-up question regarding energy policy, as Tobias Andersson raised it. What is the Sweden Democrats' plan for 2030? One has a plan for 2045, but one has no plan for fossil-free electricity production by 2030 if one now wants to remove obstacles for the investments that require it in Sweden today.

(Applause)

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

Tobias Andersson (SD)

Madam Speaker! I thank you for several questions from Member Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro.

The chairman is right that it is not he personally who said that we should invest in green steel. But it can well be considered that his party colleague Göran Persson, as chairman of the board for LKAB, has had something to do with the whole thing. It is perhaps relevant in this context.

What we should talk about here is that the reason why the Sweden Democrats are asking critical questions about these enormous industrial establishments is that we all share the risk.

It is not only private capital that has stepped into this, on the contrary. It is two completely state-owned companies, together with another company where the state is the majority owner, that are taking part in the latest over 3 billion in support from the public in pure charity, which otherwise only constitutes a fraction of the annual profit for any of the companies. They could, therefore, have chosen instead to use it to, for example, reinvest in this.

This is happening at the same time as there are at least to a greater extent private alternatives. H2GS has raised 75 billion kronor, I believe that is, from more or less all institutional investors who could be thought to be interested in this. They, on the other hand, are limited by the fact that the public sector is an actor in the market, where the public sector does not want to sell ore. They would rather sell – and earn less – to some other country where they do not receive the power allocation they thought and so on. The fact that the public sector is an actor in this market thus limits the conditions for the private actors to succeed with approximately the same thing.

If it had only been private capital saying "Now we want to build green steel in Sweden," I would have said: "Fantastic! Do you think you can do it on a market basis, go for it and good luck!" But now that is not the case. Now the public sector is involved and maneuvering too much, and then I think I have a responsibility as a politician to dare to ask questions about these projects. That is what has not happened. We have not had a formal coordination with the owner in this case, and I think we have the right to criticize and demand that.

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Lili André (KD)

Madam Speaker! I would like to begin by moving to approve the committee's proposal and to reject all motions.

It is with great humility and commitment that I stand here today to speak about our government's initiative for the business sector, a policy that we Christian Democrats are able to participate in, contribute to, and be proud of. We see a Sweden where every individual, every entrepreneur, and every innovator has the opportunity to contribute to our common prosperity.

We have just concluded a round of debate regarding regulatory simplification for companies. Regulatory simplification is extremely necessary for companies' conditions to be competitive, which is crucial for their growth and for creating more jobs and stronger welfare. In the government's goals for the business sector in Sweden, regulatory simplifications continue to be important. We Christian Democrats are aware of the need to reduce the administrative burden for our companies in order to increase companies' opportunities to focus on their core activities.

Madam Speaker! The Christian Democrats' economic policy rests on the insight that work and welfare for all can only be achieved by individuals, families, companies, and civil society taking responsibility together for our common society. It is the business sector that creates opportunities for people to get a job. One of the most important tasks of politics is to create conditions for economic growth and thus tax revenues that can be used for the common welfare.

We live in a time of rapid change where digitalization and global competition are constantly reshaping the playing field. Therefore, we as a nation must be agile, innovative, and proactive. Our government's industrial policy is not only a plan for economic growth but also a strategy for social cohesion and sustainable development.

I want to emphasize, Madam Speaker, that with our industrial policy we are not investing only for today's Sweden, but to ensure that our children and grandchildren inherit a country that is economically strong, socially cohesive, and environmentally sustainable.

Madam Speaker! Our commitment to the business sector is also a commitment to job creation. Every new company and every newly started initiative is a potential employer and a building block in our society. We want to see an environment where entrepreneurs feel supported and where young companies can grow and flourish.

Furthermore, Madam Speaker, the Christian Democrats emphasize the importance of promoting women's entrepreneurship. Improved conditions for women's entrepreneurship is a priority for the government. It is crucial to ensure an equal business life and to take advantage of the potential of all our citizens.

To further strengthen this, Madam Speaker, we are also reviewing how we can use public procurement as a catalyst for innovation and as a way to support small and medium-sized enterprises. By setting requirements for innovation in public procurement, we can stimulate the market and provide Swedish companies with a platform to test and develop new products and services.

We realize, Madam Speaker, that the success of Swedish business policy depends on our ability to create cooperation between the state, regions, municipalities, and the business sector. It is about creating synergies and partnerships where public and private actors can together drive development.

We face challenges such as high unemployment and a shortage of skilled labor. The government is implementing measures here for better coordination between state agencies and actors to meet the challenges of the business sector's skills supply. There, we in the Christian Democrats argue that co-produced collaborations between the business sector and the education sector are a must to solve the skills supply issue in the working life for both companies and the public sector.

Madam Speaker! To strengthen the innovative power in our country, we have invested in several areas. Among other things, we prioritize developing companies that are at the forefront with groundbreaking technology, so-called deep tech. These companies are crucial for commercializing research results in areas such as precision medicine, semiconductor technology, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence. Through cooperation between authorities, more efficient permit processes, and access to European growth capital, we create the right conditions for these companies to grow in Sweden.

Finally, Madam Speaker, I want to emphasize that our government is firmly determined to strengthen Sweden's position as a leading innovation nation. We are working to ensure that Swedish research and Swedish business continue to be a driving force for innovation and sustainable growth. Through a powerful investment in research and innovation, including next-generation wireless systems 6G, we show that the Kristdemokraterna and the government are investing in Sweden's long-term competitiveness and prosperity. We Kristdemokraterna look forward to continuing this work where innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability go hand in hand.

With that, Madam Speaker, I wish to once again move for the approval of the committee's proposal and the rejection of all motions.

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Elin Söderberg (MP)

Madam Speaker! Lili André said something nice in her speech, along the lines that our children inherit a country that is economically strong, socially cohesive, and environmentally sustainable.

I wonder then how the Christian Democrats intend to achieve this when they cooperate with the Moderates, who here in the speaker's chair have spoken about allowing uranium mining and about us flying more and driving more without considering the climate impact at all, and with the Sweden Democrats, who earlier in today's debate highlighted that the absolute most important thing is to start cutting down on the Environmental Code. How will the Christian Democrats then achieve a society where our children inherit a country that is economically strong, socially cohesive, and environmentally sustainable?

In her speech, Lili André also highlights the supply of skills. The supply of skills is very important for the development of the business sector, for our climate transition, and for us to be able to secure welfare throughout the country. Welfare depends on people who perform the important work tasks in school, healthcare, and elderly care.

But when we look at Sweden's workforce ahead, we see that it will consist of people who already exist here and who are born here. Moving forward, the workforce will decrease while we have an aging population. But if we welcome more people to move to our country and start working here, we can get a workforce that increases.

The government is now, however, implementing several measures to instead deport and expel people who are already here and working. How are the Christian Democrats going to make this work?

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

Lili André (KD)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Elin Söderberg, for your comments and questions! I want to emphasize that in my speech I said that we are now working for an industrial policy that shall ensure that our children and grandchildren inherit a country that is economically strong, socially cohesive, and environmentally sustainable.

Madam Speaker! The Government is working intensively and hard to rectify the mess that the member's party, Miljöpartiet, caused during the previous parliamentary term when they were in government.

Today we are focusing on a green transition, and we do so by implementing a broad palette of measures. A green transition, Madam Speaker, provides good economic growth. Through that, we want to leave behind a country that is strongly united and environmentally sustainable.

Politics has an important role in promoting and enabling this rapid transition. But it is very important that we also have the companies involved. We see the companies and have a dialogue with them. The companies are very far ahead in the green transition, and we as politicians need to take that into account in order to be able to make good decisions.

Much has already been started in the budget and investigations. As I said earlier, work is being carried out in parallel with this to sort out the previous government's chaos. We are not sitting on our hands.

Particularly important for achieving the green transition and a good environment is to shorten and simplify permit processes. We have also initiated and will implement many different orientation bills and programs.

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Elin Söderberg (MP)

Madam Speaker! That our children shall inherit a country that is economically strong, socially cohesive, and environmentally sustainable requires that politics work for environmental sustainability, social cohesion, and economic development throughout the country. When it comes to industrial policy, Lili André mentioned some examples and spoke about tidying up the mess but said nothing concrete about what one wants to change, improve, or do differently.

When we look at what has occurred in terms of actual action, we see that the current government, for example, presents a climate action plan that contains no plan whatsoever and which actively contributes to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and means that we are no longer expected to reach our climate goals.

When it comes to focusing on the green transition, it requires electricity in the near term, skills supply, and faster permit processes – three things that this government is not delivering. "A broad palette of measures" is just snow. If the government refers to an inquiry that perhaps should come later so that things can then be delivered by a future government, it is not implementing a broad palette of measures. The government is sitting on its hands, pushing the problems ahead of itself, and is not taking responsibility for a sustainable societal development.

The role of politics is to promote and enable. But for the government to promote and enable, it must make active decisions on faster permit processes, where there are already investigated proposals, or on housing construction, so that we get the workforce on site for the industry's transition.

What I hear is just snow. It is beautiful words about a sustainable society in the future. But this also requires action.

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

Lili André (KD)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Member Elin Söderberg, for allowing me to continue explaining what the government is doing to ensure green transition, social sustainability, and economic growth.

The Government is presenting an industrial strategy for good conditions and prerequisites to meet the ongoing green and digital structural transformation. This contributes to more investments.

We are extending the credit guarantee program for the large, green industrial investments.

We have Industriklivet, which is important for the Swedish climate transition. It is about an economic steering instrument for society's transition and for maintained competitiveness.

And again: We have an extended arm towards industry and entrepreneurs so that their transition plans can become as effective as possible. There, we review the permit process according to the Environmental Code. How can it be simplified and shortened by being made more flexible, efficient, and predictable?

The permit processes are just stalling. They go around and around. What does the government need to do then? Well, we must have a dialogue with the courts and lawyers. When it comes to permit processes, we must move forward, not just talk. Here, the government is doing intensive work to facilitate for our creative, innovative, and investment-promoting companies to be able to invest without being stopped by the regulatory burdens of politics.

I would like to ask a question to Elin Söderberg, but I cannot do that now. However, I would very much like to hear what concrete measures Miljöpartiet has to increase the willingness to invest among entrepreneurs in Sweden.

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

Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)

Madam Speaker! Sweden is a fantastic country with people who have countless ideas for products and services that contribute to strengthening our competitiveness and making us winners in the green race.

When we Social Democrats were in power, we introduced a number of reforms aimed at creating good conditions for the business sector to invest in the emerging green market. This has been necessary for Sweden to participate and contribute to a global transition, but it has also contributed to strengthening Swedish competitiveness. We Social Democrats know that active industrial policy, where the state and the business sector meet challenges together, is best for jobs, growth, and Sweden.

But now a new government is in power, and I sometimes doubt the ambitions of that government. The various moves of recent times have not turned out well, and in the Swedish business community, there is concern about the long-term perspective in Swedish politics and the conditions for future investments.

The government does not want a broad agreement on energy policy even though this is something that the business community desires, and they also do not want a long-term agreement on the remaining investments in the green industries – something that stands in direct contrast to what Swedish business desires. They have also not presented any innovation strategy whatsoever, and they are not open to working out such a strategy despite being very eager for this in opposition.

In the green transition, we need to consider the small and medium-sized enterprises that are responsible for job creation and the innovative ideas that will make us a technological leading country in the world.

That is why we Social Democrats have always safeguarded the state's support for startups and scaleups to ensure that they can grow to become competitive and in that way contribute to the building of society. An investment in a small company can generate thousands of jobs in the future. That is exactly what the welfare nation Sweden needs.

As early as 2018, we Social Democrats presented an offensive package aimed at making Sweden the world's first fossil-free welfare nation. The green transition, in fact, creates the conditions for the welfare of the future and makes us as a society richer and better.

In the EU, Sweden has distinguished itself as an offensive climate nation that does not fear the transition but sees the opportunities within it. In that regard, we Social Democrats have been proactive regarding the various offensive plans that exist in, among others, the Fit for 55 package.

But now we see how the EU no longer sees Sweden as synonymous with leadership in environmental and climate issues, but rather as the stumbling block in the negotiations. The government has made itself dependent on a party that wants to tear up the entire EU's climate policy. How is that synonymous with strengthened Swedish competitiveness? In what way does it protect Swedish interests? They are giving a walkover and letting the Swedish business community take the entire hit for its insufficient policy.

There are no climate measures that are too small or insignificant in a situation where we need to reach net-zero emissions. Industry needs to transition, and it is ready to do so. People's consumption needs to become more environmentally and climate-friendly, and transport as well.

In all areas, there are Swedish innovations that could become large companies with the power to create jobs, sustainability, and growth. But for that to happen, a government with a political direction is required, something that this government unfortunately lacks.

Madam Speaker! There has at all times been a struggle between internationalism and nationalism, a struggle that has now been widened further. The recent decades of neoliberal hegemony have left many people behind while others have seen their wealth increase to record heights.

It has led to a sense of mistrust and suspicion towards what many describe as the social elite. It has damaged the social contract we all rely on, and fundamentally, it weakens trust in the democratic institutions.

This has been a breeding ground in which the far-right has been able to grow and has created a false conflict between national salvation and international cooperation. People's mistrust of the business sector, politics, and state institutions has been used to hinder the work of the green transition.

It is very simple to weigh government support for industry against, for example, other investments in society. But in reality, the investments the state makes in industry are a prerequisite for us to be able to afford our welfare and have increased prosperity in the future. The investments we make today are a prerequisite if we are to become the world's first fossil-free welfare nation. It is an ambition that at least we Social Democrats have.

These false contradictions are created for the purpose of gaining power and sowing mistrust between people. But in such a society, growth is not possible. Only through mutual trust, where everyone feels that they are part of the building of society, is it possible to find a nation that guarantees prosperity for all. It is a prosperity that the state can participate in and guarantee.

Madam Speaker! The rather neoliberal truth that the state should not be an active actor in the various markets, which we have heard here a number of times, but merely an enabler that removes problems, has long been passé. The business community has realized it, and we Social Democrats have also realized it.

The state now needs to set its own bold goals to get the business community on board and create confidence in the future among the country's inhabitants. Together, the state and the business community can achieve a lot and identify what is best for Sweden, but above all, what creates jobs. It is jobs that can lead to us breaking segregation and increasing prosperity for everyone in our country.

But that is not happening. The government is not investing in Innovationssverige and opposes the idea of long-term rules of the game for the industry through agreements with, among others, us Social Democrats, but instead, it seems they are trying to keep the ship Sweden afloat and hoping that no one falls overboard.

But people will do it. Thus, it will affect the country's entrepreneurs and Sweden's workers. If the government does not develop a strategy to meet the innovations required for us to be a nation that stands strong in the green race, the situation will worsen.

Madam Speaker! For women, the situation is already concerning. If Sweden is to be part of the winning team, it is required that the entire population is on board. But we see how women, to a lesser extent, have their innovations and ideas realized. When half of the population is underrepresented in Swedish business, it means that half of the population's ideas and innovations are not part of the social construction that is supposed to take us to strengthened competitiveness.

It is good that women's entrepreneurship is a priority issue for the government. But we need more measures to support women's entrepreneurship and enable more to take the step and become self-employed. Among other things, the agencies' regulatory letters should include a promotion of women's entrepreneurship. Tenders and funding offers in state-initiated or state-financed initiatives need to be designed to give women and men equal opportunities to develop.

Madam Speaker! We face a number of challenges, but I know we can overcome them if we do so as a united society. This mistrust towards the green development we see emerging in our country is harmful to the prosperity of the future. The state's investments aim to strengthen Sweden, and through good distribution policy, we can ensure that this prosperity comes to everyone.

We need to create a state that has clear goals of improving citizens' everyday lives through innovations that create jobs, healthier lives, and better quality of life. It is a state that, together with the business sector, strengthens Sweden's position as a world-leading innovation country through increased cooperation, investments in the green transition, a sectoral overview of what needs to be improved, and strategies that concretize in what ways we will get to where we want to go.

We have an upcoming European Parliament election. The right-wing forces point out all the flaws with the EU and the threats that Sweden faces when too much power moves down to the union. But it is not prosperity and national salvation they have to offer. It is division and diminished prosperity that stands on the other side of the EU-skepticism.

We shall safeguard Sweden, our industry and our competitiveness through clear political directions to become the world's first fossil-free welfare nation and through increased cooperation with the rest of the world. We shall invest our way out of the many crises we see, Madam Speaker, and no one shall be left behind.

I therefore move for approval of the Social Democrats' reservation 1 and reservation 13.

(Applause)

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

Tobias Andersson (SD)

Madam Speaker! Member Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro highlighted reservation 13, in which it is written, among other things, that relevant authorities' regulatory letters should include a promotion of women's entrepreneurship and tenders and financing offers in state-initiated or state-financed initiatives, etc.

When one listens to Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro, it sounds as if women today have a disadvantage and are sidelined, and as if there is venture capital that men can apply for and venture capital that women can apply for. I would like to have answers on what formal limitations there are for women today to run companies and appeal for venture capital.

When one hears the member's speech, it sounds as if there are structural problems that hinder female entrepreneurs. I swear that both men and women have exactly the same rights and opportunities to run businesses. Then one can choose to do so to different extents. But there is no discrimination that is structured and formal.

Madam Speaker! If it exists, one really has to ask why the Social Democrats did nothing about it during their eight years in power, without it being necessary to end up in opposition in order to propose measures in the area where it is judged that there are problems.

At the same time, the government has given a mandate to Tillväxtverket to promote female entrepreneurship. This includes, among other things, carrying out measures that stimulate young women's entrepreneurship and business ownership so that more will want to start and run companies.

Insight- and knowledge-raising measures shall be undertaken to facilitate the conditions for participating in, for example, public procurements, methods shall be developed to produce statistics regarding female entrepreneurship, and so on.

I want to know both what obstacles exist according to the member, and why what the government has asked Tillväxtverket to do is insufficient.

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

Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)

Madam Speaker! I and Member Tobias Andersson have had this debate on a number of occasions, and we do not agree. What I think is most alarming is that the Sweden Democrats do not think the same as their government coalition partners, who usually boast about how much they invest to promote women's entrepreneurship.

It is also strange that on one hand one asks why one should task authorities to work on a certain issue and on the other hand says that one has tasked authorities to work on a certain issue. I cannot quite reconcile that. Should it be done or not be done? Tobias Andersson is welcome to answer that.

When it comes to women's entrepreneurship – not female entrepreneurship, which is perhaps what the member means – women see their ideas and innovations realized to a lesser extent. I think it is a pity, and it is bad for Sweden that half of the population does not have the same opportunities.

It is clear that there are no formal obstacles, because that is rarely how discrimination works, Madam Speaker, that one writes that women and LGBTQ persons shall not be allowed to do one thing or the other. But discrimination still occurs, and that is why we have anti-discrimination legislation in Sweden.

When it comes to women's entrepreneurship, it is obvious that the business world is male-dominated, which means that those who sit in boardrooms, those who have access to venture capital and those who have a large network are men. It seems to continue to be in this circle of men that one gets board positions and access to venture capital, and I think that is wrong.

It is clear that I would have wished that the business community could have solved this themselves, but obviously the business community does not do that. In that case, politics needs to act, at least I think so.

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

Tobias Andersson (SD)

Madam Speaker! I will take it from the beginning. That the government basis has asked Tillväxtverket to, among other things, review whether there are any structural barriers is wise, because then perhaps in a future debate in some year we can know whether the claims coming from Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro have any basis or not. To also work with enlightenment and information initiatives in the area can absolutely be done, but that is happening right now.

Then my question is: What is it beyond this that the Social Democrats are requesting? Their reservation is more or less about state risk capital that shall exclusively go to women's entrepreneurship. That is something else. It is one thing to say that it is good if those who want to run businesses are allowed to run businesses and that there is information on how to run businesses for those who today do not run businesses to the same extent as other groups. It is another thing that the state should step in and say that here is a cake of money that exclusively this group can take part in. It is, by definition, discrimination, which is what we would be trying to avoid.

To answer Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro's questions, I question the premise for the reservation and partly the initiative that the government has given to Tillväxtverket. It is common knowledge that it came from the three government parties. I do not believe that it is fundamentally a problem that men and women make different career choices. On the contrary, I think that one should have that possibility. With that said, one can naturally, from a political standpoint, look at and ensure that there is no actual discrimination, for that would be wrong. Therefore, it is good that we have given these assignments to Tillväxtverket.

Then Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro and the Social Democrats want to go significantly further, and based on some strange notion that the business sector, private capital, would actively disadvantage women.

If there are conditions for a good investment, it should weigh significantly more for an investor than the gender of the entrepreneur.

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

Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)

Madam Speaker! I agree that gender should not play any role, but obviously it does. It is not that there are no women who want to be entrepreneurs. It is not that there are not masses of women studying in various technical programs who, to the same extent as men, have good ideas about how we, for example, are to manage the climate transition. But there are structural problems in Sweden. That the Sweden Democrats then do not acknowledge the problems and are completely blind to the structures that exist in Sweden and in the world is an obvious problem. But both I myself and, I believe, all other parties in this chamber see these problems and think it is serious, because half of the population is being left out.

This is not about jobs, Tobias Andersson. It is about entrepreneurship and business activity. It is not about whether one chooses to become an entrepreneur or not. It is about that women want to be entrepreneurs but do not get access to, among other things, venture capital to the same extent as men. There are examples where several have had the same idea and venture capital has gone to the man instead of the woman.

I think this is a matter of concern and that politics needs to act. When we receive analyses from Tillväxtverket and reports and studies showing that women are being disadvantaged on the Swedish market, politics needs to act.

Madam Speaker! Discrimination is occurring in Sweden. Women are being discriminated against in Sweden. We have an equality problem in Sweden, and I think it is serious. It is obvious that it is then we politicians who must ensure that the discriminations disappear.

(Applause)

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

Louise Eklund (L)

Madam Speaker! A free and strong business sector is a prerequisite for a free and strong society. Our role, as politicians, is to create the conditions for just this. Sweden needs more liberal reforms that strengthen our competitiveness and create conditions for Sweden's companies.

We see today how much of Swedish industry and production faces great challenges, not least as a consequence of world events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Increased energy prices and a continued higher inflation than what we are used to constitute further significant challenges for a part of the business sector.

We also have a rather rigid bureaucracy and an agency culture that causes, for example, permit processes to take an unreasonably long time. We are at the bottom of the league in Europe in that regard. That is not a good grade or a reasonable ranking. And it is very far from the self-image I perceive we have of being an innovative, growth-oriented export nation.

It must obviously be emphasized how important it is that the policy focuses on what is required to facilitate things for Sweden's entrepreneurs and business sector. The overarching goal for industrial policy must therefore be to strengthen Swedish competitiveness and create conditions for more jobs in more and growing companies. International cooperation for continued free trade and a strong export industry, a reconstruction of the Swedish energy system, investments in infrastructure development, and relief from bureaucracy and administration are important pieces of this puzzle.

I believe that from a political perspective, we especially need to monitor that Sweden does not fall behind in the infrastructure investments that are now being made in various parts of Europe, which can have great significance even for Swedish exports. This applies in particular to the Fehmarn Bält connection between Denmark and Germany which is now being built and which will further shorten travel times between Sweden and the continent.

Bottlenecks on the Swedish side, such as over the Öresund, need to be addressed and built away. For a small, export-dependent country like Sweden, it is absolutely necessary that we do not fall behind when other countries build their markets closer together.

Madam Speaker! We in Sweden have come a long way regarding equality. That does not mean that there are no differences between men's and women's opportunities, and this also applies within the business sector. Men still have significantly more capital than women, invest more, and run more companies. There are undeniably different opinions on whether this is something that politics should concern itself with. I believe it is unhealthy that we have very large imbalances between men's and women's participation. From the role of politics, we have worked very hard for a long time to get more women into politics. It is a task that I believe we are only at the beginning of within the business sector. It is potentially destabilizing when it comes to issues concerning capital and ownership.

Work is currently underway within the government aimed at investigating and leveling the differences we see between men's and women's opportunities.

How do we get more men to work for equal boards and management teams, and how do we get more women to want to take a place in the boardrooms and the management teams? I look forward to what the government will present on this subject. The government can be completely certain that there are many of us on this side of the Strömmen who will be flashlights so that we can move forward in the issue.

Madam Speaker! Many of my colleagues have on several occasions in this chamber highlighted the importance of farm sales for a better and more pleasant visiting and business life in Sweden. I naturally share that view. The Liberals want to go further and also want to allow license stores for beer and wine. We believe that is good. It is a liberalization that broadens the selection and which improves both well-being and customer service.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker! Free markets, free companies and free individuals are values that we in the Liberals have fought for since we began organizing as a party. They are also prerequisites for an open and democratic society. We, the bourgeoisie, need to become better at defending, standing up for and pushing forward for these values.

The major dividing line between us and parties such as the Social Democrats concerns the view on how large the state should be and how much the public sector in its various forms should be the provider of tax-funded activities. A liberal worldview is based on the idea that entrepreneurship is best performed by the private sector. This is best for the citizens and, naturally, for the companies themselves, but also for Sweden as a free, strong and prosperous country. This is something we within the Liberals will continue to work for.

I hereby move for approval of the government's proposal under expenditure area 24 Business.

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

Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist (C)

Madam Speaker! Disruptive companies, whether they are large or small, challenge old industries. Sometimes they do so to such an extent that industries and companies die without really understanding why. But fortunately, Swedish industries have been very quick, and they have in a gifted way adopted new technology. Many of our large companies today were startups at the turn of the last century. Many of them have managed to constantly change themselves through research and innovation and in the encounter with customers in global markets.

In Sweden, 2 per mille of all small and medium-sized enterprises are startups, but they account for 5 percent of all jobs created. Startups are absolutely crucial for economic growth. 20 percent of all patent applications in Europe come from small companies. And every second job created within the OECD has actually been created in companies started in the last five years - every second job!

Sweden actually has some difficulty with investments in the earliest stages, what is commonly called pre-seed or seed capital in startup language. Depending on the company's product or service, the company can be in that phase for anything from six months to four or five years.

In Sweden, it is only 11 percent of all venture capital that is invested in these companies. In Germany and France, it is twice as much. This suggests that we have a shortage of capital in early and innovative stages. I know that this applies primarily to companies where the product development carries quite large risks and where the buyers do not quite know what the outside world requires of them. What demands will the climate transition place on the companies? And what is one prepared to pay for these untested products and services?

Sweden actually has a very large potential in what is called impact startups. These are companies that both want to make money and want to ensure that we can together achieve the UN's sustainability goals.

The newly started network Nordic Angels has, together with Boston Consulting Group, produced a report showing that over 4,000 kronor per capita was invested in impact companies in Sweden. This is eight times as much as in any other country in the EU. Closest is Finland with 500 kronor per capita.

It is clear that much of the venture capital that was spoken about earlier concerns very large industrial transformations. It is those funds, and it is only the private funds I am speaking about.

The Nordic region has the potential to become a sustainability valley, that is, a Nordic Silicon Valley for sustainability. This means export opportunities of 1,300 billion kronor. That is six times as much as the entire Swedish export value today. It could contribute 1 million new jobs, according to calculations in this report.

How good are we then as a country at seizing that potential? Not very good, is probably the answer. Atomico, the venture capital firm founded by Skype founder Niklas Zennström and based in London, has conducted a mapping of regulatory reliefs for startups and scaleups in Europe.

Sweden ranks second to last in terms of introduced easing. What makes Sweden still be on the list is that we have free education, that it is easy to start a limited company, that we have a parental insurance that works well, and that we have preschool. This does not have much to do with the business climate itself, but it has to do with the establishment climate. When it comes to the establishment climate, we are good, but the business climate itself is worse.

The major differences are that there is a lack of state financing instruments and various types of incentives so that we can all participate in investing in startups. And if we fall behind in the European competition, we will also be far behind in the global competition.

Madam Speaker! To ensure a good environment for innovations and for these to be able to be commercialized, capital is required. Private capital is the basis for innovations, but state capital has an important complementary role. It is needed for the investments that enable Swedish companies to contribute to reaching global climate goals, such as Industriklivet and Klimatklivet. We must also in Sweden become better at bringing home the money that exists within Europe and the EU cooperation for the scaling up of innovations.

There are many voices who argue that state funds were not needed as a complement to the private ones. But I want to emphasize that Almi, Almi Green Tech, Industrifonden and Saminvest are crucial for the initial investments to be put in place and for companies to be able to grow.

As Atomico showed in its report, all countries work with different types of state-funded support to get their startups to succeed. It is then about the innovation part, not about it being grants when the companies are large and have full production.

But these countries also have, as Swedish Incubators & Science Parks have shown in their excellent study, a stated ambition and a plan for how startups and scaleups shall grow specifically in their country. It is something that the Swedish government completely lacks.

Why is it then important for a country like Sweden to be as attractive as possible for these companies? Well – I will return to what I said a few minutes ago – it is important because half of all jobs within the OECD have been created by companies that have started in the last five years.

I move for approval of reservation 3 under point 1.

Madam Speaker! It is also innovators, disruptors and entrepreneurs who are driving the transition of the old industry to a society that has net-zero emissions, just as we have talked about.

The new industrialization is creating growth across the entire country. The business sector's investments in the basic industry are therefore very pleasing to see. These projects do, however, focus on the need for a number of reforms in areas that this committee does not have to handle. It is about investments in education, roads, railways, ports, and airports. Additionally, a review of income taxation and of the Environmental Code was needed.

Industry is experiencing a very large shortage of skilled labor. Ensuring that Swedish companies can find the competence that is needed is absolutely crucial. The skills shortage also underlines the importance of Swedish companies continuing to be able to recruit personnel from all over the world and in all wage brackets. The government's choice to significantly complicate labor immigration is therefore a serious threat to growth, to Swedish companies, and thus to Swedish jobs.

Sweden needs a policy that provides the conditions for new industrialization and the opportunity for the state to match the incredibly rapid expansion of net-zero industries with a reinforced infrastructure. Furthermore, the municipalities' long-term financing of the matching social initiatives, such as schools and healthcare, must be facilitated so that they can gradually be able to generate tax revenues, so that they are not merely exploited.

With the enormous subsidies that are primarily present in the American and Canadian markets, Swedish companies will make completely rational decisions to continue their expansion there. Then we must together do everything we can at both local and national levels so that the companies will still want to expand even in the Swedish market. But one must always ensure that one acts in a competition-neutral manner.

Without startups and without industrial transition, we will not have any new jobs to offer the next generation.

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

Elin Söderberg (MP)

Madam Speaker! I would like to begin by moving to approve reservation 26.

The business community has a key role for the green transition, for the climate transition, and for us to achieve a strong societal development in our entire wonderful country. When Ulf Kristersson took office as Prime Minister, he called the business community the new environmental movement. And it has been noticed! Recently, we have seen business actors who have truly begun to express the need for a strong environmental and climate policy so that they can continue their important work for innovation, business development, and thus also the green transition.

This is a task we do hand in hand. Politics must deliver the conditions so that the business sector can take action and transition. Electricity is needed in the near term, competence supply is needed, and faster permit processes are needed.

These are areas where we in Miljöpartiet have presented a long series of proposals so that we can quickly deliver what the business community demands. We have put forward proposals to quickly expand electricity production in the near term with planning targets to 2030, green baseload power, and improved power allocation.

We propose that vocational training should be strengthened and that there should be conditions for lifelong learning with further education throughout life. During our time in government, we have commissioned inquiries into faster permit processes which are completed and lie on the government's desk. Unfortunately, not enough is happening from the government. The conditions that the business sector demands for a strong economic development and to meet the climate transition are not being delivered by the Tidö parties.

The green transition requires a broad responsibility from politics. It is a societal construction that must be carried out. Housing is needed in the municipalities where the green transition is now taking place, so that people can move there, build their lives and futures, and take the jobs that the green transition entails.

A welfare is needed in all parts of the country that stands strong so that there are people and competence on site for the development of the business sector. Infrastructure is needed. There, we in Miljöpartiet have said that enough is enough. Trafikverket must be abolished. Then we can have a railway authority and a road authority so that the railway can be refurbished and expanded so that the trains arrive on time. This applies to both passenger transport and freight transport.

The state must take an active role in leading the positive societal development. When we in Miljöpartiet were in government, we laid the foundation for the green industrial revolution that we now see happening. It is a task that must be continued, and it requires political leadership – a leadership that I completely lack from the current government.

What kind of future is the Tidö parties painting, Madam Speaker? When we have listened to today's debate, we see that the Moderaterna want uranium mines in Sweden. There seems to be no regard for the rights of indigenous peoples. People are to fly and drive more without concerns for the climate. For nuclear power, planned economy seems to be okay, and one no longer takes responsibility for the state's economy.

The Sweden Democrats do not seem to notice that there is discrimination between women and men in Sweden, and they are against "handouts" to companies. That which the state uses to promote entrepreneurship, promote innovation, ensure that pilot plants are established and take large steps forward for the climate, for a sustainable society and for the development of the business sector so that Sweden stands strong in the competition today and in the future - that is what the Sweden Democrats call handouts.

The Christian Democrats seem to be groping for examples of what the government is doing for the green transition, and they mention Industriklivet and credit guarantees. Those are good reforms that Miljöpartiet introduced when we were in government. That is the small part of the climate policy that this government is maintaining. At the same time, they have scrapped reform after reform since they took office, and it has led to emissions increasing sharply so that Sweden is no longer expected to reach its climate goals.

The climate transition is a driver, a positive, strong driver, for a strong business development and a strong societal development in the entire country. Entrepreneurs and creative people across the country ensure that there are new innovations, new startups, new business ideas, and new business models that are ready for the future. But it also requires that politics keeps up and creates the conditions. Miljöpartiet is taking measures, and we have the reform proposals so that we can lead the entire country in the positive development. It is these proposals I want to work for, and I am very disappointed to hear about the other paths that the Tidö parties are taking today.

(Applause)

In this speech, Linus Lakso (MP) agreed.

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

Kjell Jansson (M)

Madam Speaker! I have a few questions for Member Söderberg regarding her speech.

That sounds good. You say that more electricity is needed by 2030. Now I want to hear how you are going to produce it, given the Environmental Code and the testing that is conducted. It takes just as long to produce wind power as it does nuclear power today. I want to hear how you have planned for this.

Why have you shut down nuclear power? Half of the nuclear power is shut down. Your party has been driving that. You are primarily responsible for this - no one else. You have succeeded in getting the Social Democrats to do this, who were initially for nuclear power. You have a great responsibility there.

Furthermore, you say that housing needs to be built where the new industrial investments are being made. Everyone knows that. But do you know what the problem is? It is not happening because the rents are too low. No one can build and make the investment viable because far too low rents are being charged. There must be a free rent setting.

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

TREDJE VICE TALMANNEN

I want to draw attention to our rules in the chamber given the ongoing debate. We do not address each other directly with "you," but everyone speaks through the Speaker.

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

Elin Söderberg (MP)

Madam Speaker! More electricity is required in the near term, and the Green Party has several proposals to enable this. We propose planning targets for 2030, so that it becomes clear to investors that more electricity must be produced in the near term. We want to give neighbors the opportunity to be shareholders in wind power. It creates more incentives for neighbors to welcome new wind power production. We also want an earlier veto so that the municipalities can comment, just as with building permits for other types of electricity production, but a veto should not occur seven years into the process.

We want to introduce an electricity bonus so that incentives are created for the municipalities to welcome new wind power and electricity production. With that, we see that there are great opportunities to establish more electricity production in the near term. We also want the public sector to build solar cells on public roofs.

There is much that we in Miljöpartiet have proposed, and the list of measures is extremely long. The measures could be implemented now to get more electricity in place in the near term. But the government is sitting on its hands because it is only focused on nuclear power, which is completely irrelevant when it comes to the conditions for the business sector and the climate transition until 2030.

While we were in government, electricity production in Sweden increased. Sweden became the largest exporter of electricity in the EU. We have cheap and good electricity in Sweden, but there are areas where there is a need for more power. Therefore, expansion is also needed in those areas.

But instead of ensuring the expansion of electricity production, the government has chosen to say no. They do not want to do anything about the veto that today hinders the expansion of electricity production and hampers business development.

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Kjell Jansson (M)

Madam Speaker! Solving this issue with electricity until 2030 with wind power is a utopia. It only works 60 percent of the year's hours - otherwise, it stands still. The other day, 55 percent of the energy supply in Sweden came from hydropower, 38 percent from nuclear power, and 1 ½ percent from wind power. Building more wind power is no solution. It is hydropower that governs wind power and that fills in when it is not blowing. It is also under testing now. We will have trouble meeting the electricity supply; on that point, I am firm.

Madam Speaker! I received no answer to the question regarding the rent setting and why it cannot be built. The rents are too low. No one can build new and make it viable, and the old stock is not sufficient.

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Elin Söderberg (MP)

Madam Speaker! When it comes to electricity production, we must look at the entire electricity system. We have all the prerequisites to obtain a robust and strong electricity system with low electricity prices if we invest in the expansion of renewable electricity production.

Regarding the increase in electricity demand ahead, we see that the electricity primarily in demand is for hydrogen, which the industry needs for its processes. The industry wants to produce that hydrogen when it is blowing very much, because then the electricity is dirt cheap. When electricity prices are high, hydrogen from the hydrogen storage is used. Regarding the electricity that is in demand in the upcoming expanded electricity system, there are also synergy effects between a system for renewable electricity and that which the industry needs.

What does not solve the situation is the Moderate-led government's policy. They are fixated on nuclear power and do not look at the expansion of the electricity system in the near term.

Housing construction was underway, but the interest rate hikes led to it crashing. The question then is: What does a government do in that situation? For Miljöpartiet, it is obvious that the state should then step in and provide support. When a dip occurs and we see construction companies closing down, the state must step in and provide support so that housing construction is maintained – otherwise, there is a risk that all construction workers will have started other jobs by the time it starts up again, and then we will face a skills shortage in this area as well.

But the government is sitting on its hands, so now housing construction is stalled. One could have instead taken an active role and maintained housing construction during this dip.

(Applause)

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Linda W Snecker (V)

Madam Speaker! Female entrepreneurs are not treated in the same way as male entrepreneurs. Women do not have the same access to capital, which is based on the patriarchal society we live in. There are prejudices. Pitches and business ideas presented to banks and investors are questioned in a different way when it is a female entrepreneur who presents them. All this is according to the industry organization Företagarna.

According to Företagarna, fewer women choose to start companies, and the companies are often on a smaller scale - 18 percent of all limited companies with a turnover of more than 500,000 are run by women.

Women who run businesses do not necessarily follow the mold that many expect. It is not solely about sky-high turnover and more than 100 employees. More than half of the sole traders are women. They run businesses because they appreciate the flexibility, not just to earn the big sums. Women are also relatively cautious with external financing, especially loans.

In other words, a new perspective and a new way of working are needed to get more female entrepreneurs. We heard the Moderate Party's representative in the rostrum speak about Sweden's gigantic industries and large companies, but he did not say a single word about Sweden's female sole traders. That is why it is so important that state funds are redistributed in a different way. To do this, more knowledge and competence, facts and statistics, as well as gender equality analyses, are needed. Grants and support must be designed so that women want to apply for them. It is only then that both gender equality and growth will be achieved.

For a more equal business support, I move for the approval of reservation 6.

The deliberation was hereby concluded.

(Decisions were made under § 12.)

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