“It shouldn’t be too easy to become a citizen”

Ulf Kristersson’s (M) statement during the People and Defense national conference in Sälen on Monday has provoked reactions during the week from, among others, Magdalena Andersson (S) who think his message is “divisive”.

Kristersson then said that there are immigrants who primarily want protection, rather than fulfilling their obligations to Sweden. He added that today’s rules make it far too easy to become a Swedish citizen. In Nyhetsmorgon, he develops his reasoning.

– I am not singling out anyone in particular. If you, like Sweden, have had very low requirements for a long time to become a citizen, no requirements to speak Swedish and no requirements to know a lot about Sweden, not even a requirement not to commit serious crimes. Then there is the risk that only the passport is left. I want to emphasize the opposite that citizenship is a big deal. You become loyal to the new country you become a citizen of. Most countries take it very seriously. I think we should do that too.

Take Ukraine as an example

The prime minister points to Ukraine as an example, where there is a very strong support for his country among the civilian population, he says.

– We must be concerned that the will to defend our democracy and our way of life, that is what you sign, if you become a citizen.

Do we have good Swedish will to defend?

– Basically, it is good.

Responds to criticism

S leader Magdalena Andersson believes that Kristersson singles out immigrants as less prone to defense in his statement. But Kristersson does not agree with that.

– I am referring to Swedish legislation. It shouldn’t be too easy to become a citizen. If you do not seriously mean that you want to defend Sweden and Swedish democracy, you should not become a citizen, he says and adds:

– But we have problems we cannot close our eyes to. Look at the crime of honor. Those who send their children abroad to be FGM, those who choose to fight for IS against the democracies. This is something that is in direct conflict with what Swedish citizenship is all about.

“A warning signal”

Kristersson refers to the fact that there are duty laws such as conscription.

– Ultimately, we have a total duty to defend ourselves. Then it is Swedish citizens who also have the duty to do military service. Then we have an exceptional opportunity to do it in a different way than with weapons in hand. It works perfectly fine. We are now expanding conscription. Many people think it is good.

But he believes that not everyone wants to do military service.

– The Norwegian National Service shows in a survey, for example, that 50 percent of young people born to non-Nordic parents do not want to do military service. It is a small warning signal.

“Will make a series of tightenings”

Kristersson says that he believes that the vast majority of people who become Swedish citizens really want to be part of society, and both its rights and obligations. But think the requirements need to be tightened.

– There are no strange things. You must be able to speak Swedish if you become a citizen. You must not have committed a crime or commit a crime. There should not be an automatic way that you become a citizen just because you have been in Sweden for a long time, he says and continues:

– We will make a series of tightenings. Not because we don’t want people to become citizens – but so that you know what you stand for. Anyone who commits a crime and wants to become a Swedish citizen must face a rather tough attitude.