The Prime Minister's Question Time

Tomas Eneroth (S)

Mr. Speaker! At today's meeting in the Committee on Defence, the Social Democrats requested that the Prime Minister be called to the committee to account for the consequences and the sequence of events surrounding the now well-known actions of the national security advisor Henrik Landerholm. It is well known that a forgotten mobile phone has appeared at the Hungarian embassy. Documents have been left behind at conference centers. There has obviously been a risk that classified information has been disseminated.

The Prime Minister is responsible for the appointment of Landerholm but also for the working order we have in the Government Offices. The question arises: Why does the Prime Minister not want to come to the Riksdag and account for the consequences? It is extremely important to clarify whether classified information has been disseminated and, not least, whether measures have been taken in the Government Offices to avoid such serious mistakes happening again.

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! As Prime Minister, I am, of course, ultimately responsible for everything that happens in the entire Government Offices. I believe that Tomas Eneroth is aware that despite this, there are significant routines, organizations, and structures in a government office that encompasses 4,000 people.

I have several times accounted for what I know about this and referred to the handling that the Government Offices' security department has managed. Now, the matter has also been reported to the Committee on the Constitution, and if there is any committee that scrutinizes the Government Offices' work and individual ministers, it is this one. I look forward to their work.

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Tomas Eneroth (S)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Prime Minister, for the answer!

Should I interpret that as the Prime Minister being satisfied with the measures that have been taken in the Government Offices? It is still the case that the opposition has no insight into this. We do not know if sufficient efforts have been made to prevent mistakes from being repeated. In this serious security policy situation—in fact, it is the most serious during the entire post-war period—it is extremely important that the Prime Minister can account for what security arrangements can actually be taken in the Government Offices.

The question is, therefore: Is the Prime Minister satisfied with the measures that have been taken so far?

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! As has been said, there are structures and routines even for handling things that should not happen. I have no reason to doubt the Government Offices' security department's work with this.

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Linda Lindberg (SD)

Mr. Speaker! We are now halfway through the parliamentary term, and the policies of the Tidö Agreement are taking shape one by one. Together, we are the guarantee that it will be easy to live in Sweden if you behave and contribute, but on the other hand, it should not be a piece of cake, but very difficult if you choose the path of being, for example, criminal in Sweden.

We are doing very well for Sweden now, Mr. Speaker. We want to see a Sweden that holds together and that is built on common values. If one wants to be a part of that, one is welcome. Otherwise, one can live somewhere else.

Part of this is, of course, the question of citizenship. It should be something to fight for and not, as before, something that is handed out quite generously. We want it to be honest people who are welcomed to our country as new Swedish citizens. It is about setting requirements that one must demonstrate loyalty and goodwill towards one's new country, that one must have good intentions and that one must understand one's new country, but also about being able to support oneself. These are actually quite self-evident things.

It is good that we are now making this a reality by setting just such requirements in order to be able to obtain Swedish citizenship.

During the week, the 2023 Freedom and Rights Committee also submitted its investigation on changes to the constitution, and it contains proposals for expanded possibilities to revoke citizenship. If citizenship has been granted on incorrect grounds or if a person has committed crimes that threaten Sweden's security, the citizenship can therefore be revoked.

In the investigation, we were in agreement with the government to go somewhat further than what the committee could agree on. In the issue of revoking citizenship, we also want to include parts of organized crime - that which threatens fundamental and vital interests for the Swedish state as well as for society at large.

During the party debate, the Social Democrats explicitly stated that they would have liked to see that we had such legislation in place. In view of that, I would like to ask the Prime Minister: Is the Prime Minister prepared to take exactly that proposal to the Riksdag?

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! Let me divide the answer into two parts.

I also begin where the questioner Linda Lindberg begins - the importance of citizenship. I think we should look at ourselves in the mirror in Sweden and state clearly: For a long time as a country, we have not taken citizenship as seriously as it deserves. It has been too easy to become a citizen. No reasonable requirements have been set to become a citizen. Citizenship has at times almost been reduced to a travel document, a Swedish passport.

Citizenship is incredibly important. It is naturally important as a symbol and thus also as a declaration of loyalty - this is my country. But it is also important because all rights ultimately come with citizenship. As a citizen, one has all rights. Then it should also be linked to a significant measure of obligations.

We are making changes now, and it is very good. Now one must learn the Swedish language. One must live honestly and not commit crimes. One must understand which country one wants to become a part of, and one must also reasonably want to become a part of this society. All of this, I believe, has strong support in the Swedish majority.

Then we move to the next question. Should it be possible to lose citizenship? We have now, for the first time, succeeded in reaching an agreement that in certain situations one should be able to lose citizenship. I completely share the view that it should also apply if one commits system-threatening crime in Sweden. Terrorism is sometimes in the classical sense some foreign people who commit acts of terror against Sweden, but in practice we have domestic terrorism. I think exactly that: One should be able to lose Swedish citizenship if one commits system-threatening crime. That constitutional amendment should be implemented.

Now we have received the investigation. Now it is to be referred. Now we let the Social Democrats think for a while. I believe they can change their minds here as well.

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Linda Lindberg (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the answer, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson!

It is pleasing to see that we have a majority in the Riksdag and a sound government that is now making the reforms we need. It will therefore become harder to become a Swedish citizen, and it will become easier to relinquish one's Swedish citizenship. It is a clear signal that we actually value citizenship highly, and it is something that we should all be proud of.

Just as the Prime Minister mentioned and as I also mentioned earlier, we unfortunately know that Swedish citizenship has been issued quite generously, and we now have reason to review this.

We have also discussed pausing the granting of new citizenships because we do not yet have new laws in place. It is something that both my party leader and Migration Minister Forssell have said in interviews.

My question to the Prime Minister is therefore: How is the work proceeding regarding the pausing of the granting of new citizenships?

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! This is also a question in two parts. Current law applies until you change the law. It is important, and so it must always be. Current law applies until you change the law, and this law shall be changed.

If one has said it, one must also say that we today have a very serious security situation. The mandate to the authority is to be extremely careful that people from twelve countries do not receive citizenship in Sweden on a basis that could be risky. It means that the control carried out of people who want to become citizens must be very, very thorough. That is the government's view.

When it comes to the constitutional amendment, I want to say that I take constitutional amendments very seriously. There are reasons why it is called a constitution; it is not something one takes lightly. There is a very great value in being broadly united on constitutional changes.

With this said, it is not the case that the Social Democrats have a veto over constitutional amendments. It is exactly as with the Nato issue. I said then that I want broad agreement, but the Social Democrats do not have a veto.

Think carefully, because now there is a chance to change your mind!

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Nooshi Dadgostar (V)

Mr. Speaker! We live in a tense security policy situation. We are dependent on other countries feeling confidence in our security work in order for us to be able to exchange intelligence information in a good way. It is very important that Sweden has a secure work with this.

Ulf Kristersson has appointed a childhood friend as national security advisor, a person who has not been hired in the usual manner through a recruitment process. I am, therefore, speaking of Henrik Landerholm, who has since hired people without security screening them and left a mobile phone at the Hungarian embassy.

In Dagens Nyheter, information has now emerged that Landerholm has also forgotten security-classified material at a course yard. He has himself expressed that this material was found by employees and returned to the Government Offices. This has turned out not to be true, but it is therefore unauthorized persons who have found this security-classified material, which means that security-classified material is now exposed. This could be a criminal act.

It is reasonable that Ulf Kristersson now answers the questions. We cannot have persons who, within the framework of their work, have committed this type of criminal acts. Is what DN has written correct, or is it not, Prime Minister?

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! It feels reassuring that even the Left Party is now so engaged in Sweden's international intelligence work and cooperation with the other Western alliance countries. Welcome!

As I said a moment ago, as Prime Minister I am responsible for everything that happens in the Government Offices in all different areas. That does not prevent us from having routines and structures in the Government Offices.

I have no reason to question the Government Offices Security Department's handling of this issue. I have said what I have to say on the matter. Now, furthermore, the Committee on the Constitution wants to examine whether the Government Offices has acted correctly, and I welcome that.

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Nooshi Dadgostar (V)

Mr. Speaker! Every time one asks Ulf Kristersson about this, he laughs and does not take the question seriously. I would like to urge the Prime Minister not to speak or act in such a way but to answer the questions.

These are important matters. A person who is very close to the Prime Minister and who is to act as a national security advisor has, therefore, leaked security-classified material. This can be a threat to the nation's security.

Therefore, I must repeat the question in order to get an answer. We all know that a KU report is not something a Prime Minister can hide behind. You simply have to answer the question; there is nothing illegal in this.

The Government Offices' press service has stated that it is not relevant to report the incident to the police. I want to know if the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister's close associates have been involved in making such a decision, that is, that it is not relevant. I also want to know when the Prime Minister found out that security-classified material about Sweden had been leaked.

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I can answer the question simply: I have not been involved in any of these decisions at all. This was handled entirely by the Government Offices' security department. They informed me after they had completed their handling of it. I have nothing more to say about that matter.

However, the Committee on the Constitution will examine whether the Government Offices have handled this correctly. It is good that they carry out that review, and I look forward to the result.

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Daniel Bäckström (C)

Mr. Speaker! I would like to ask the Prime Minister a question regarding the labor market situation, the economic cycle, and entrepreneurship.

We can see that unemployment in Sweden is high - the fourth highest in the EU. We have an average of 8.4 percent today, and the average in the EU is 5.9 percent. It is only Spain, Greece and Finland that have higher unemployment than Sweden.

Every fourth youth is unemployed, and new entrepreneurship was at its lowest level since 2009 last year. It decreased by 9 percent. Here in Värmland, the level was the lowest since 2003.

The recession, together with the major changes in the labor market and bankruptcies, layoffs, and terminations, means that it looks very tough for many households across the country. Not least in the construction sector, we see that the order books are very empty. Demand has dropped, and it has been going on for a while.

As recently as Tuesday, Säffle's largest company, Moelven Byggmodul, issued its third warning in a short period. The previous warning came before Christmas, and now 70 employees have been warned. It is clear that many families are affected in an already economically pressured situation with high interest rates and the recent cost increases. The questions are many at the kitchen tables and all around the workplaces: How will our future develop? This is a major concern, not least in the countryside.

My question to the Prime Minister is therefore how he and the government intend to act in the short term to get the companies started so that people are hired. How can one also provide opportunities for a long-term business development throughout the country?

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! This is truly an important issue. Let me divide this answer into two parts as well.

To describe the situation and simplify things, we essentially have two types of unemployment in Sweden today. One is a very cycle-driven unemployment, as it almost always is in Sweden and other cycle-sensitive countries. This means in practice that a prolonged recession with very high interest rates and very high inflation hits the economy, something that at all times has affected companies' willingness to invest. High interest rates affect profitability, and high inflation affects consumers. It does not make it easier to be unemployed, but there are quite natural explanations for this.

That unemployment is now dramatically on the way down. From the old government, we inherited an inflation of 10 percent. It is now down below 2 percent, which gives falling interest rates and more purchasing power in households. It is still a recession and still tough for many, but a small brightening can be seen far off on the horizon. It is important.

The second, which perhaps worries me even more, is the structural one. Structural is a strange word to say that these are things that are not affected as much by the economic cycle.

It is to a very large extent about poor integration. It is high immigration, poor integration, people who cannot speak Swedish and people who lack an education that works on the Swedish labor market. They may have never worked in Sweden at all, or perhaps have not worked at all – this applies to quite many women. They have an incredibly difficult time finding any work on a fairly advanced labor market like the Swedish one.

This is, honestly, based on unreasonably high immigration over an unreasonably long period. When it comes to this, the Centre Party should look in the mirror a bit and reflect on what their share of the blame is for this structural unemployment, that integration has not been taken seriously, that people do not learn Swedish, and that people live in segregated areas.

All of this we can change, and we are in the process of changing it. The latter takes longer than the former.

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Daniel Bäckström (C)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Prime Minister, for the answer!

We can also observe that the measures that should have been taken in recent years have not been taken by the government. It has become more expensive to hire. Relative to the limited easing measures, this has large effects for the companies with 10 billion in increased costs per year and per budget that you have presented from the government's side. This occurs at a time when we must facilitate hiring.

I grew up in a region where this has been the primary way to stimulate jobs and entrepreneurship from many parties' focus - not least the government parties' commitment. Therefore, I also have high expectations that there will be measures both to manage the conditions for companies to hire, start and develop, and to manage the consequences of the labor market.

What can I take back to the people at home in Säffle who are now being affected by layoffs, and what concrete measures does the government intend to take in the short term to stimulate the labor market?

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I think we have come a good way, with respect for the fact that the problems are large and that it takes time to solve them.

Firstly, we have won over inflation. Had we not done that, all of this would have been completely impossible. Both you and I are old enough to know what happens in a country that has had 10 percent inflation for a long time; it is serious. As long as we had 10 percent inflation, we resisted all temptations to just try to spend and fuel the fire when we had high inflation. That is important in itself.

Now we can increase purchasing power. We lower taxes both for those who work and for those who have worked. We improve the investment climate in Sweden and make really large future investments in infrastructure and research. It is such things that build growth in the long run. I believe that very many companies and entrepreneurs also see the value of that.

(Applause)

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Rasmus Ling (MP)

Mr. Speaker! The punctuality in the Swedish rail traffic is under all criticism. Yesterday, figures were released showing that it is the worst since 2010. In this situation, the government is simultaneously prioritizing down railway investments. Among the first things done upon taking office was to pause expansion projects. After that, they have cut back on the absolutely necessary maintenance.

The thoughts are brought back to what Carl-Oskar Bohlin said in the spring of 2022 when he justified his no to the Miljöparti's proposal to choke off Russian oil imports, that one did not want to legitimize Miljöparti's proposal. One gets the feeling, Mr. Speaker, that the government is choking off both investments and maintenance for the reason that Miljöpartiet has been in favor of this.

My question is why else one would have this policy, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! For me, serious politics is always about the future. It is always about substantive reforms that can solve concrete problems.

Politics is also about what one has inherited and what situation one has entered. There is a huge difference in economic policy if one, for example, inherits 10 percent inflation and high interest rates. There is a huge difference between inheriting a maintenance debt and not doing so.

The description provided here is completely incorrect. We have submitted a very large infrastructure bill with an increase of over 200 billion kronor in fixed prices, precisely because we had a large maintenance debt. Now we want to do something about that matter. We will allocate more money to maintenance and repairs so that the trains can become punctual again.

We inherited a situation from those who said they liked trains but who did not keep the trains in such a condition that they ran on time.

(Applause)

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Rasmus Ling (MP)

Mr. Speaker! How was it back in 2010? Who were it that ruled the last time it was even worse than it actually was last year?

I think it is regrettable that the Prime Minister cannot approach this issue and this area with greater seriousness. It is serious. We are in a situation where train tickets are selling out as if it were a concert at Ullevi and the website crashes when SJ releases tickets for Christmas so that people can visit their friends and their family.

People say no to building new, they reduce maintenance, and they invest in car traffic instead. I think, Mr. Speaker, that this is too bad.

(Applause)

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! With all due respect: The fact that we made the decision in the Riksdag regarding one of the largest infrastructure bills in modern times does not repair any rails. Anyone can see that. It is when we convert these very many billions into maintenance and repairs that improvements are made.

I am the first to express regret for all those people who had hoped for punctual trains, but it is now that we are doing the work. If funds are not allocated in time, there is no work to be done either. Now we are doing the work.

(Applause)

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Viktor Wärnick (M)

Mr. Speaker! The significance of Swedish citizenship has been undervalued for far too long. Citizenship has been granted all too easily and without any major requirements regarding either language skills, self-sufficiency, or a decent and honest way of life. The focus has been more on the individual's rights than on obligations. Citizenship represents the formal membership in Swedish society. Swedish citizenship should have great significance both legally and symbolically.

Now, the Moderate-led government is implementing major changes that re-evaluate Swedish citizenship and tighten the requirements.

My question to the Prime Minister is therefore what expectations he and the government have for these reforms.

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I believe that we will reach a completely different situation, where we as a country and as a people ourselves place value on citizenship. We will include all the rights that we prize so highly, but also the obligations.

I often speak about the importance of conscription, for example. Sweden is the land of self-realization but also the land of self-sacrifice. It is not just "take your right" but also "do your duty" - all of this. That is also what we should say to people who come to our country: Learn the language. Learn the society. Support yourself. Live honestly and legally here. Then Sweden is open. If you do not do this, there is no reason for you to become a Swedish citizen.

The same applies when it comes to revoking citizenship. Those who commit serious system-threatening crimes against Sweden should have their Swedish citizenship revoked, if the person has dual citizenship. Now we have that possibility, and the Social Democrats do not have a veto. They have a few months to think it over if they really do not think it should become Swedish law.

(Applause)

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Hans Eklind (KD)

Mr. Speaker! The importance of Christmas trade for commerce is great and sometimes decisive. I therefore want to highlight the major problem with e-commerce from gigantic Chinese online platforms. There, trade has increased significantly, and it is done using marketing methods that conflict with both Swedish and European legislation.

Fresh figures from the Swedish Customs Administration show that 6 million packages arrived in Sweden during the month of December. The existing EU legislation has created a fast track for actors such as Temu and Shein. This is because they act as intermediaries of private imports and not as trading companies. The legislation that applies to an internal market for those who are to sell does not apply to these actors.

The distorted competition has, according to the industry organization Svensk Handel, led to Swedish retail companies being driven out of business. We also see that bankruptcies within the retail trade are increasing. Competition is good, but it must take place on equal terms.

My question to the Prime Minister is: What does the Prime Minister and the government intend to do to stop the unhealthy competition situation?

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I agree completely in principle. This is a systematic abuse of rules that are intended to promote competition and transparency and to ensure that more consumers get products as cheap as possible and on equal terms.

We must remember that much of e-commerce has increased the selection for many people. It has increased transparency and price transparency. That is good, and it is one of many advantages of e-commerce. But quite obviously, there are also loopholes that are being used today.

I will personally meet with Svensk Handel and discuss this, among other things. We will also raise the issue in an EU context. I do not rule out our own Swedish legislation, but since these are problems that affect all of us in Europe, it would be good to have a common European action to tackle the companies that in this way quite obviously abuse free competition.

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Jakob Olofsgård (L)

Mr. Speaker! My question concerns LGBTQI persons.

For us liberals, the goal is simple. Sweden shall be the best country in the world to live in as an LGBTQI person. Everyone shall have the same rights regardless of gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. Sweden has come a long way, but there are still many LGBTQI people who do not dare to live openly due to the risk of being subjected to hate crimes or honor-based oppression.

The government is now taking many good measures to increase freedom for hbtqi persons. One of these measures is to develop a new action plan for hbtqi persons' equal rights and opportunities. Therefore, I wonder: When will the plan arrive, and what can the minister say about it?

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I really appreciate that the question is coming now. Sometimes we tend to discuss these matters during a pride week in August, but these are issues that are always important. Therefore, it is even more important that they are taken up right now.

Fundamentally, it is as Jakob Olofsgård says, that is to say we have made a decision on a new action plan. It may sound toothless, but it is not, because it guides the entire policy. Some things have long been underestimated, for example health issues, violence issues, honor issues, and hate crimes. Jakob Olofsgård mentioned some of these. These areas will be in focus in the plan.

I believe the questioner knows Paulina Brandberg well, and it is she who is the responsible minister for this. As far as I know, we will return with what the plan looks like within a few weeks.

(Applause)

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Eva Lindh (S)

Mr. Speaker! The Prime Minister said several times during the autumn that things are brightening up, regarding the economic policy. Many of us think it is difficult to see that light when the recession is biting, when the growth figures are among the lowest in the EU and when the growth forecasts have been lowered.

Now there are 70,000 more unemployed than when the Prime Minister became Prime Minister. Youth unemployment stands at 25 percent, which is among the highest figures in the entire EU. Sweden is hitting a sad record in the number of layoffs and bankruptcies. People are finding it difficult to make ends meet, and more and more are becoming indebted. The funding for the welfare system is completely insufficient.

Despite this, I see no measures, but I want to ask a question to the Prime Minister: In what way is Sweden becoming richer now, apart from those who already are? Does the Prime Minister have any plan to get us out of the situation?

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I am sincerely pleased that Eva Lindh listens to my speeches. I appreciate that. But one must listen to the entire speeches and not just certain parts. I say time and again that we live in serious times, in tough times, and in economically tough times, but I also note some things that are heading in the right direction. I note that we inherited an inflation of 10 percent and high interest rates from the previous government. That made almost all economic policy impossible.

We fought inflation. We resisted all demands for unfunded spending increases. Now we have inflation that is below 2 percent and falling interest rates. Then we can use the strength of the Swedish public finances. We lower the tax and improve the households' economy, and that is done together with large public investments. It is such things that make Sweden richer in the long run. This is what is happening.

The second thing that is happening is the major changes occurring in immigration policy and crime policy, which makes people feel that we are tackling serious problems. That is what the government is doing.

(Applause)

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Pontus Andersson Garpvall (SD)

Mr. Speaker! At the end of the Social Democrats' period in government, 2,600 people were released awaiting a prison place. In light of the Sweden Democrats' and the government's paradigm shift in crime policy, the Prison and Probation Service argues that Sweden will need an additional 17,000 prison places in 2033. Now, bunk beds are being installed in cells. We are building modular prisons on prison grounds. More people shall be allowed to serve their sentences in their home countries, and so on. Four new prisons are underway.

At the same time, the government argues that it takes approximately eight years to complete a new facility. If the Prison and Probation Service is correct in its forecast, today's expansion rate will not be sufficient. What more will the government do to meet the Prison and Probation Service's scenario of 27,000 prison and detention places by 2033?

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! First, I want to take hold of the description. There are, therefore, reasons why we need so many more prison places. Very many crimes were committed, and those who commit crimes shall be imprisoned. Then one simply has to do what must be done. Therefore, we are exhausting all possibilities, including bunk beds and densification. I understand that it is not optimal, but it is even worse for people to go free. Of course it is so.

I know that the Ministry of Justice and Specialfastigheter, which is the organization that often stands for prisons, are doing everything they can to rebuild, expand, build new, and find solutions that have not been tried before. I do not know the details in this, but I am completely convinced that they will do everything necessary so that not a single person sentenced to prison shall go free because there is no prison space.

(Applause)

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Samuel Gonzalez Westling (V)

Mr. Speaker! We have heard here from the Prime Minister that he has inherited inflation and other things. He has inherited most of it. If one were to disregard everything that the Prime Minister has inherited, Sweden finds itself in a situation where the welfare state is heavily scaled back, and this has occurred over the last decades. The National Institute of Economic Research has stated that an investment in expanded welfare - or a restoration of the welfare state - would not drive up inflation.

I understand that the Prime Minister and the Moderates do not intend to expand the welfare system, but I believe that the Swedish people, especially the older generation, have an experience of that Sweden functioned in a completely different way in the past when a significantly larger share of society's resources were allocated to welfare.

Is there any possibility that the elderly population, or perhaps the entire population, can see that the government is investing more money in expanding the welfare system than it does today?

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Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I think, to begin with, that one should be a bit precise. The government inherited a number of really big problems. I usually mention 10 percent inflation and a European record - almost a world record - in serious crime. In terms of security policy, it has been very vacuum-like. This is what we inherited.

We also inherited good things. We do not talk about them as often. Everything that works well in Sweden we also inherited, and I am just as proud of that now as I was before. But we usually talk about the problems.

We inherited both good and bad things. Some of the problems we have today with the economy are literally inherited problems. Very high inflation made it impossible to use the strength of the Swedish public finances. Now we are in a much better position and are allocating large resources to welfare. For natural reasons, we are also allocating large resources to completely different things, for example to building up the defense that Sweden did not take seriously for a very long time.

It is always a question of priorities. I stand for exactly our priorities.

(Applause)

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Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström (M)

Mr. Speaker! Last week, the government decided on a national strategy to facilitate and support the work for mental health and suicide prevention. The title "It is about life" is very expressive. This is a very long-awaited strategy.

Ludvig Fredriksson from Moderat skolungdom in Gothenburg is sitting up there in the gallery. He has been an intern with me for a week. We have talked a lot about what can be important regarding these issues. He attends high school, and his perspective is that this is an issue that people talk about quite a bit. We know that this affects many girls. Mental health and the work against mental ill-health is important. We must prioritize this.

Now the government has taken hold of this, which is very positive. The Public Health Agency and the National Board of Health and Welfare are now responsible for coordinating, supporting, and prioritizing this work. However, there is quite a lot that the parties are to cooperate on, and there is quite a lot that unfortunately is not really working today. Ludvig's and my question is what the Prime Minister thinks we need to prioritize first. What should we address first, and how can we do it? These are very important questions that must be prioritized.

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

Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I truly agree with this. I speak very much with Social Minister Jakob Forssmed about these issues; we are both deeply engaged in this. I have on a few occasions told that three times in my own life - in completely different ways - I have known young people who, due to mental ill-health, have made the ultimate decision and taken their lives. It has affected me incredibly deeply.

There are reasons why young people talk a lot about this. Suicide rates are decreasing in all age groups except among the very youngest. This is literally life-saving.

I think much in the new strategy is good. One thing that is incredibly important, and which one wonders why Sweden has not done for a long time, concerns what we can somewhat sloppily call accident commissions. It is about learning something every time what should not happen still happens. What was it that failed? What did the healthcare knew? What did the family and the parents know? What did perhaps others who had contact with the person know? Was there something we could have done that we did not do and that we must do better next time?

(Applause)

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

Gustaf Lantz (S)

Mr. Speaker! I have rarely been so proud of my hometown as when Frågan är fri was broadcast on SVT. The reporters - with disabilities - from Uppsala interviewed well-known people, and I was very happy to see the Prime Minister as a guest. With warmth, humor, and respect, it became a truly fine program. I would like to thank the Prime Minister for that.

But one thing was jarring. The reporter Eleonor Belin stated that she receives 12,163 kronor before tax and needs to borrow money to get by. Marcus Fahlén then followed up by asking if the Prime Minister thinks it should be that way.

In its latest budget, the government prioritized large tax cuts for those with the highest incomes but gave nothing to those with sickness and activity compensation. Can one really defend this prioritization by saying that it should pay to make an effort? Are those with employment on Radio Fyris not doing their utmost given their possibilities?

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

Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I thank Gustaf Lantz for appreciating the program. I personally thought it was fantastically nice, fun, and educational to have these conversations. I invited them back and had the whole group for Christmas coffee at Sagerska a few weeks ago. Then we turned the tables so that I got to ask them instead. It was very fun and important. I have rarely received so much response.

There are two things that must be said here.

Many of our social benefits are inflation-protected in different ways. The idea itself is that purchasing power should keep up. In the case of high inflation, this follows along, so that purchasing power is not eroded. It is right and proper.

Wages are not, however, inflation-protected. On the contrary, wage earners are hit hardest by high inflation. Therefore, it has been important for us to lower the tax for those who work and have worked, so that they also get a chance to recover in purchasing power. Furthermore, we believe, as is well known, that half remaining is a good principle. The person who earns a bit more money by working extra should get to keep at least half of the wage increase themselves.

(Applause)

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

Sara Gille (SD)

Mr. Speaker! Swedish school is far from what it once was. Threats and violence in primary and secondary schools have increased by 60 percent over five years. Recently, a pregnant teacher was kicked in the stomach by a student, which resulted in her suffering a miscarriage - all because the student was deprived of his mobile phone. In another case, a teacher was subjected to a chokehold after reprimanding a student.

The Tidö parties are working hard to create a safe and secure school characterized by knowledge and order. The Sweden Democrats have long warned about the current trend, where rowdiness and insecurity are palpable problems. It is alarming that threats and violence have increased so sharply in schools. Strong action is needed here.

Does the Prime Minister share the concern, and how does he view the future of the Swedish school system?

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

Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! The short answer is yes – I share that concern. I believe it is the same for everyone who has followed the reporting lately. Sara Gille mentioned the pregnant teacher who was fired in the stomach and suffered a miscarriage. It is absolutely horrific. Another example, which we do not know so much about yet, concerns a teacher who was stabbed outside Stockholm. I do not know more than what has been in the media.

That violence occurs in a place intended for safety and learning is completely unacceptable. I believe that quite a few changes are required, and we are working on some of them. Generally speaking, more order and discipline are needed in schools. We must not allow rowdy schools. Even rowdiness that is not violence is unacceptable, because it deteriorates the entire culture at the school. It is also about the right to remove students who cannot behave. Inclusion is good, but when inclusion means that perpetrators of violence are included and those who do not usually use violence are excluded, then it is bad inclusion.

We are working on major reforms in this area.

(Applause)

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

Mathias Tegnér (S)

Mr. Speaker! In yesterday's party leadership debate, the Prime Minister claimed that the healthcare queues in Region Stockholm are increasing. It is remarkable, as the waiting times overall have decreased in Region Stockholm since we Social Democrats took over, despite the national healthcare crisis that the Prime Minister has been involved in creating. Since we took over in Region Stockholm, 10 percent more people have received their operation within 90 days; it has gone from 65 to 75 percent.

Let us also look at the largest Moderate-led region, Skåne. In November last year, only 54 percent received their operation within 90 days. In the kingdom, the figure was 64 percent, and in Region Stockholm, the figure was as much as 82 percent. In the same month, the median time to operation was 32 days in Region Stockholm. In Moderate-led Skåne, it was almost twice as long.

Therefore, the obvious question is: Is the Prime Minister poorly informed, or is the Prime Minister deliberately dodging the truth?

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

Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! I have followed the statistics for this and looked at completely open sources, and I have noted that the queues have undoubtedly increased. This is as irrefutable as the fact that different forms of healthcare clinics that have been highly appreciated in Stockholm are being closed, primarily for ideological reasons. There may be different ways to report the figures, but based on the figures I have read, there is no doubt that the healthcare queues in Stockholm have increased under the current government.

(Applause)

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

Arber Gashi (S)

Mr. Speaker! The bankruptcy of the construction company Sernekes has led to several socially important projects in Halland coming to a standstill, including the construction of a new prison in Halmstad and a new school building in Varberg. This does not only mean delays and increased costs for municipalities and the correctional services but also hinders social development and worsens unemployment at a time when the construction sector is already under severe pressure.

So it is not a new trend, but during 2024, a total of 10,000 Swedish companies have gone bankrupt, and as many as live in my Halmstad - approximately 70,000 people - have become unemployed since the government took office.

The government often speaks of the work line and brightening future prospects, but the reality looks different. The construction bankruptcies hit hard, unemployment is increasing, and important social projects stand still. Still, both crisis awareness and measures are conspicuous by their absence.

I wonder therefore: How is the Swedish people to trust that the government and the Prime Minister have a plan when it mostly seems as if they are hoping that the problems will solve themselves?

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

Statsministern Ulf Kristersson (M)

Mr. Speaker! No, that is not the case at all. On the other hand, it is no news that a recession, high interest rates, and high inflation are particularly bad for the construction sector. To be honest, it is not affected by which government is in power, but it is bad for an environment that is so sensitive to interest rates and inflation. That is how it is.

The rest is incorrect. We have done what we have done precisely to get out of the situation. We have brought down inflation, and now interest rates are falling. The recession will bite for a while longer, but we will get out of that too.

We are making really large investments, not least in things that benefit the construction sector. All of this is happening. It takes time, but we inherited really large problems.

(Applause)

The Prime Minister's question period was hereby concluded.

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