This weekend around 800 Christian Democrats gather in Helsingborg to hammer out new policies. The party has had a difficult year behind it with infected personal battles and race in public opinion. In several surveys during the autumn, KD received less than 3 percent.
Busch’s tough line
Ebba Busch’s attempt to broaden the voter base through, among other things, stricter migration policy, tougher legal policy and more nuclear power faces stiff competition from SD and M. But also from within the party. Where some critical voices point out that they have stepped away from the party’s core issues; family policy and social policy, and moved towards economics and tougher issues such as crime and punishment.
In Nyhetsmorgon, party leader Ebba Busch responds to the criticism:
– The conclusion about why we are where we are in public opinion now is that we are not ready. We promised the Swedish people to get Sweden back in order. We wouldn’t have had a change of power in Sweden if it hadn’t been because KD had been prepared to do what is tough in the short term but right in the long term for Sweden, says the party leader.
But at the same time, the party leader is criticized by the political scientist Jenny Madestam because of exactly that – being a good campaign politician but worse in the long perspective in politics, such as energy policy.
– You want to use a strong word to say what I think about that kind of talk. Then you probably haven’t followed what I’ve done in Swedish politics, Busch replies.
And continues:
– I feel like I’m good at finding headlines when that’s the task. But I have always filled it with the necessary reforms and basic work. Many years ago they said that nuclear power is a non-issue. I persisted. Now nuclear power is included in every governing document at EU level. It is a skillful political craft.
Do you see any personal responsibility in the bad numbers?
– Yes, we are not done yet. It is my big responsibility, partly to keep the party in hand during turbulent times and partly to focus on what the next goal is.
Internal personal battles
At the same time, the party has also struggled with internal personal battles. Where an unusually messy process regarding who will top KD’s list in next year’s EU elections, took place. That battle was finally won by EU parliamentarian Sara Skyttedal.
Among other things, she created headlines when, contrary to the party line, she advocated the legalization of cannabis and told us that she herself had used it. Something she now distances herself from.
– Now it is my responsibility to focus on what the next goal is, what our task is for the next eight years. That is what I want to succeed in and with this parliament, says party leader Ebba Busch.
Facts: Some proposals for KD’s riksting
The Christian Democrats’ National Assembly is held in Helsingborg 10-12 November. It is the party’s highest decision-making body. The party board has presented a proposal for a new family policy. It contains 88 proposals, among other things, they want to abolish the childcare allowance and instead gradually extend the parental insurance by six months, from today’s 390 days with compensation at the sickness benefit level, to 570 days. KDU wants to abolish the multiple-child allowance and replace it with a multiple-child deduction. The party board says no, but may consider modifying the contribution.
In addition to family policy, the party will, among other things, debate legal policy, energy issues and healthcare. Two motions want to ban the desecration of religious scriptures or to reintroduce legislation on religious freedom. The party board says no. And EU parliamentarian Sara Skyttedal wants to stop state support for “feminists’ organization”
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