Response to interpellation 2023/24:781 on anonymous accounts and aid policy
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
M argues that the government has a strategy for democracy support that focuses on transparency, efficiency, and long-term perspective 1. M emphasizes that the strategy sets clear requirements that party-affiliated organizations shall contribute to democracy, human rights, and increased representation 1 2, and that organizations that do not follow the strategy may be liable for repayment 2 3. M believes that all parties in the Riksdag should have the opportunity to contribute based on mandate conditions 3 and that tax funds should be used effectively 4. S welcomes the reform but expresses concern that the government allows a party with anonymous accounts to receive tax money without competition 5 6. S argues that the government has removed the competition 6. S considers that the minister does not express sufficient concern regarding disinformation. S argues that predecessors have left behind a mess regarding the support for civil society. S considers it important not to let the aid budget go entirely to Ukraine. S wants to develop both humanitarian and long-term development aid and strives for a more efficient, transparent, and results-oriented aid.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Statsrådet Benjamin Dousa (M)
Madam Speaker! [The member] has asked me if I see any risk of an international spread through aid of a methodology for distorting the debate, anonymously discredit political opponents and, with anonymity as a weapon, influence opinion via so-called troll factories. Olle Thorell has also asked what measures I intend to take to guarantee that this does not occur and, in the event that I do not intend to take any measures, how that would then be in harmony with the government's ambitions for more transparent, effective, and results-oriented aid.
In a world where democratic space is shrinking, Sweden prioritizes increasing engagement. I want to exemplify this with decisions on two strategies.
Earlier this year, the Government made a decision on a new strategy for human freedoms and rights, democracy, and the principles of the rule of law. With the strategy, we increase the focus on supporting human rights and democracy defenders, free elections, and independent journalism, compared to the previous strategy. We have also made a decision on a new strategy for democracy support through Swedish party-affiliated organizations, PAO. The strategy entered into force at the turn of the year with a new arrangement of support based on equal treatment of the parties in the Riksdag, but with maintained quality requirements. The strategy has also been allocated increased resources.
The strategy sets clear requirements for what the party-affiliated initiatives shall aim for, as well as for the partners that the organizations can collaborate with. All activities shall align with the strategy's goals, contribute to increased representation, participation, and influence in political organizations for those who are underrepresented, as well as to a well-functioning party system in developing countries. Quality and clear reporting of results are central.
The government has a strong focus on long-term perspective, transparency, and efficiency in the reform of the aid policy. Ultimately, the efficiency of the aid is both a matter of solidarity towards the recipients and a matter of legitimacy towards the Swedish taxpayers as funders. Citizens have a right to insight and should be able to be sure that the tax funds allocated to aid make a difference. Fundamental principles for transparency apply to all actors who receive Swedish aid funds to conduct activities within development cooperation. We have also tightened the requirements for control and result monitoring.
Olle Thorell (S)
Madam Speaker! I thank Benjamin Dousa for the answer. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Minister to the Swedish Riksdag, the finest democratic assembly we have in this country.
I wish the Minister of Justice good luck in the important work that awaits in the coming years with reforming Swedish aid. I want to start by saying that we Social Democrats welcome a reform of the aid. It is a large and important part of the state budget, and the world has changed after the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. As the world looks now, new thoughts and strategies for aid were needed. It does not have to look the way it has always looked. Everything was not perfect during the Social Democrats' time either, against all odds. We too will present a new aid policy. During this parliamentary term, we will devote ourselves to formulating it.
Today, however, the debate is about something else, namely the scrutiny of the government – an important task in a democracy. This is the first of many debates that I look forward to with the Minister.
The Minister of State describes the strategies that have been adopted. We naturally think it is good to strengthen the work for democratic freedoms and rights, MR and democracy defenders, free elections and independent journalism. We welcome the new strategies both regarding democracy in general and party-affiliated organizations. Parties are very important building blocks in a democracy. They are needed to build strong societies. There are many examples of how the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation from the Moderaterna, for example, or the Palmecentret from the Socialdemokraterna, have contributed to a positive development in many countries in the world. It is good that that work continues, and we welcome that the framework increases from 100 to 159 million, but that is not quite what this interpellation is about.
I am surprised that the Minister, in his answer, does not mention the Sweden Democrats at all, because it was this that it was about here. Now, one is moving away from a system where all parties in free competition have been able to apply for funds from the democracy assistance pot for party-affiliated organizations. The Sweden Democrats have had every opportunity to apply in free competition with the other parties. It has, however, turned out that their projects simply do not measure up, and therefore they have not received a share of those funds—not because they are discriminated against or excluded in any way, but because they have not had sufficiently good projects.
Now the government is changing this so that a part of the pot is to be given to all parties. The question in the interpellation is whether Benjamin Dousa sees no problem with the fact that it has emerged that Sverigedemokraterna have run disinformation campaigns and have anonymous accounts in quantities that overflow TikTok, YouTube, and the internet in general. They have a deliberate methodology that has been copied from authoritarian countries and fascist movements throughout history that have used lies and anonymity as a weapon to drive voters toward their side through fear, scare propaganda, and doomsday prophecies.
Now the government is putting the mark on the Gardeners and allowing such a party to receive a share of our common tax money that goes to aid. Does the Minister not see any risks at all with that? Is the Minister not worried about it at all?
Statsrådet Benjamin Dousa (M)
Madam Speaker! I would like to begin by thanking you for the warm welcome to the Riksdag. I also look forward to many and long interpellation debates and other types of debates with Member of Parliament Olle Thorell.
I want to emphasize that I do not see such a risk as Olle Thorell paints in his interpellation. The government is very clear about which principles guide Swedish aid and which rules organizations that receive Swedish aid must follow.
The strategy for special democracy support through Swedish party-affiliated organizations is no exception. The new strategy for 2024-2027 sets clear requirements for what the party-affiliated efforts shall aim for. It is about contributing to democratic and inclusive political parties and democracy movements, promoting democracy defenders and contributing to increased participation in political organizations for underrepresented groups, for example women and youth.
The starting point for the strategy is that Sweden, through the party-affiliated organizations, shall contribute to Sweden's work to promote democracy and human rights. Support for the establishment of democratic systems of government is a central part of Swedish development cooperation.
Democracy is fundamental for people living in poverty and oppression to be able to improve their living conditions and defend their rights. Well-functioning party systems, free and fair elections, and representativeness are important components, and this presupposes strong political parties that can take responsibility and demand accountability. It is central to a democracy.
The strategy is therefore clear in its objectives. It also sets clear requirements for the partners that the party-affiliated organizations shall cooperate with. They must have statutes or party programs that align with the strategy's goals and aim for democratic development, increased respect for human rights, and equal opportunities for all. They must operate with democratic methods and goals. Organizations that employ anything other than non-violent methods cannot be considered for cooperation. Organizations that have armed branches cannot participate.
We have also strengthened the requirements for monitoring and result follow-up in the strategy in line with the overall reform of aid that the government is carrying out. The requirements in the new strategy are crystal clear. All activities shall comply with the strategy's goals, and party-affiliated organizations that receive aid funds must demonstrate that their activities contribute to strengthening and supporting the construction of democratic political parties, promote democracy movements, and contribute to increased representation for the underrepresented.
If a party-affiliated organization does not use the support in a way that is in line with the strategy, the organization may ultimately be liable for repayment. This is clearly stated in the strategy. I would therefore like to reassure Member of Parliament Olle Thorell. In the hands of this government, the aid will be used for what it is intended for. This applies to all actors who receive Swedish aid funds to conduct activities within development cooperation, which also includes party-affiliated organizations.
Olle Thorell (S)
Madam Speaker! I thank you for the answer. It feels nice that the Minister is trying to calm me. I was not particularly excited before, but I am a bit surprised when the Minister so clearly says that he feels no concern regarding the development.
All of us who have followed the Sweden Democrats over the years have seen how they have moved from being an extra-parliamentary movement with roots in Nazism and the white power movement to taking the step into the Riksdag and gaining a decisive influence over the government through the unique position of being a support party - the largest party in the government base - without being part of the government, with the consequences this entails.
It worries me and very many others to see that the radicalization has continued by the Sweden Democrats having publicly funded troll factories that engage in disinformation in order to deceive voters into believing that the world looks in a way that it does not. This should worry every democratically minded elected official and every minister, but it does not seem to worry Benjamin Dousa at all.
The Minister points out that there will be controls and guarantees to ensure that money is not given to the wrong types of organizations and that there will be reporting and transparency. That is good, but hasn't this existed before? It is clear that it has existed before. It is not the new strategy that makes one audit, control, and tighten reporting requirements; there have been very strict reporting requirements and extremely thorough audits of the party-affiliated organizations in order for them to receive assistance.
For example, it has been revealed that Vänsterpartiet has sent money to objectionable organizations. This has been discovered, and demands for reimbursement have been made. The audit has thus functioned. The difference is that a given part will now go to all parties based on the distribution of mandates and that competition has been removed from the game.
It is not about competing by having high quality in their applications for projects, but now everyone is to get a share of the cake. I understand that the Sweden Democrats want this. It must be very nice for them to avoid competing with quality on their projects and instead receive a given share of the 159 million.
We are of course for parties to be treated equally - absolutely! The Sweden Democrats are elected to Sweden's Riksdag in a democratic manner. They have the right to represent their voters in here. They have the right to participate in all the contexts where all other parties participate, and they have had that even within this part of the aid.
They have had the opportunity to apply for projects to support other party-affiliated organizations abroad, but they have not had any good projects to submit. There is nothing to suggest that they will have them in the future just because they want to get a share of the money.
This is how it has looked during the most recent parliamentary term. The Moderate-led government bows down and lets Jimmie Åkesson and company have their way on this area and on a multitude of other areas. This worries me, and it worries many voters as well. I therefore ask again: What is wrong with competition in aid? You have been CEO of Timbro and Företagarna, Benjamin Dousa. Do you no longer believe in competition as a concept, or does it only apply within the business sector?
Statsrådet Benjamin Dousa (M)
Madam Speaker! I want to return to what I took up in my previous contribution. If a party-affiliated organization does not use the support in a way that is in line with the strategy, the organization may ultimately become liable for repayment.
Human rights, democracy and the principles of the rule of law are priority areas within Swedish development cooperation. These are areas where Swedish aid provides a clear added value.
In this context, it should be emphasized that Swedish parties, through their party-affiliated organizations, have a valuable opportunity to share experiences, cooperate, and contribute support to political parties and other actors in partner countries. This is of particular significance in contexts where there is a need to establish or strengthen political resilience against the influence of authoritarian states.
The government has allocated increased resources to the new strategy for party-affiliated organizations. It reflects the importance we place on these issues. We believe it is reasonable that all parties in the Riksdag have the opportunity to contribute to this important work. It is about representativeness and diversity, which are also fundamental values that we want to promote in cooperation with partners in third countries. The new system is therefore based on equal treatment and reflects the mandate proportions in the Riksdag. It closely resembles the system that applied before 2018.
Quality and reporting of results is obviously central. The party-affiliated organizations need to submit a business plan and budget to Sida, the contents of which are in line with the strategy's objectives. They shall additionally submit an annual activity report and financial activity reporting to Sida, which are audited by independent authorized auditors.
Party-affiliated organizations may, if necessary, seek support and guidance from Sida to ensure that the activities and their reporting meet the requirements that are set. An overall strategic dialogue on the implementation is conducted, if necessary, between the party-affiliated organizations, Sida and UD.
Olle Thorell (S)
Madam Speaker! I note that the Minister does not express any concern at all and does not even mention the Sweden Democrats or the risks of disinformation and troll factories. That disappoints me.
I do not give up, however, but I look forward to upcoming debates with the Minister. They will be needed in a world where aid needs are growing and becoming ever larger and where his predecessor has left behind a rarely seen mess regarding support for civil society, which is in revolt over how thousands of projects are forced to be cancelled and that we leave people in the world at the mercy of the elements.
Debates will be needed in a world where one can question whether there is still a floor of 56 billion for aid when billions are transferred to pay for the maintenance of Ukrainian refugees in Sweden after year one. They will be needed in a world where myths about aid are spread that do not match the facts and where it plays a huge role how we can fuse together trade and aid and understanding that trade and aid are not each other's opposites but can strengthen one another.
Debates will be needed in a world where the support for Ukraine must be formulated in a long-term way. We cannot have an order where the aid budget goes entirely to Ukraine and the rest of the world is left behind, but we need to look long-term at how we can rebuild Ukraine in peacetime again, with means other than just aid. We also need to see how we can develop both humanitarian and long-term development aid, because it is not the case that humanitarian aid is much better than long-term development aid. They need each other, and both are needed.
I also look forward to further discussions on how we can achieve more efficient, transparent and results-oriented aid, for that is indeed an ambition that we all share in this Riksdag.
Once again: Welcome to the Riksdag, Minister, and good luck in your mission!
Statsrådet Benjamin Dousa (M)
Madam Speaker! Transparency, efficiency and results are prioritized in the reorganization of aid that the government is carrying out. It is a question of solidarity and a question of legitimacy. Tax money shall be used effectively and make a difference. We are progressively tightening the requirements for control and follow-up.
I have developed how the government views the strategy for specific democratic support through party-affiliated organizations and how we, through the requirements that are set, work to ensure quality and results. All activities that take place within the framework of the strategy shall comply with its goals. This is clear and shall be followed up in accordance with what is stated in the strategy.
I welcome the upcoming interpellation debates with Member of Parliament Olle Thorell regarding the support for Ukraine, the cooperation with civil society, and how we link trade and aid. We will certainly disagree on some issues and agree on others.
Thank you very much for this first debate! I feel very welcome to the Riksdag, Madam Speaker.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.