In the Swedish debate, immigration is combined with problem neighborhoods and gang crime. But immigration is also associated with things that, for example, are value-free for Finns.
There are only six nights until the Swedish elections. Law and order has become the most important theme of the elections, and it is reflected in politicians’ speeches.
In his opinion, in the election debate, everyone who lives in Sweden’s immigrant neighborhoods is seen as a problem. The conversation separates us and them.
The political researcher largely agrees. Denmark’s immigration and integration policy, which has been significantly influenced by the anti-immigration People’s Party, has come to be seen as a good example in Sweden. The Sweden Democrats have a part in the change.
– It’s hard to tell which is the chicken and the egg. It is clear that the support of the Sweden Democrats and the 2015 refugee crisis have changed the Swedish debate climate and what opinions can be expressed, docent of politics Niklas Bolin from Mittuniversitet Sundsvall, says Yelle by phone.
– Immigration is combined with the theme of law and order, whether it is a moderate coalition, Christian Democrats, Sweden Democrats – or Social Democrats.
has gone through the election machines of the Swedish media and brings up three questions that seem innocent from the perspective of Finland, but which in Sweden are considered to be anti-immigration policy.
1. Language test: Swedish citizens must know the Swedish language
Obtaining Swedish citizenship does not currently require knowledge of the Swedish language. State days have accepted of the proposal (you will switch to another service) from the language test as a condition for citizenship. It has not progressed because neither the organizer nor the content of the language exam has been agreed upon.
Language tests have been a political hot potato in Sweden for 20 years. The first demand for knowledge of Swedish as a condition for citizenship was made by the People’s Party (now the Liberal Party) in its election campaign in 2002.
– Many liked the proposal because it was directed against immigrants, and its purpose was not to help them and improve integration. That’s why it was controversial, Niklas Bolin, associate professor of politics, says.
In favor of language tests: Social Democrats and opposition parties moderate coalition, Sweden Democrats, Liberals, Christian Democrats.
Against: the government’s support parties, the Left Party, the Environmental Party and the Center Party.
2. Census: The Swedish authorities need to know who lives in the country
The register information is largely based on the residents’ own notifications, for example a move notification. The Swedish Tax Agency suspects that a large number of people have entered incorrect address information in the register.
– This issue is also connected to immigration, and the opponents feel that its purpose is to get access to immigrants, says Niklas Bolin, associate professor of politics.
The Swedish parliament justifies the need for a new census by saying that criminals can hide their identity, hide from the legal system and continue their criminal activities with the help of false population register data. In addition, they can claim social benefits to which they are not entitled.
Last fall, the Tax Office also published research (you switch to another service), according to which false addresses entered in the population register were used to commit crimes. The Tax Office had identified 500 addresses where undeclared work, money laundering, tax crimes and fraud were practiced.
For: moderate coalition, Sweden Democrats, Christian Democrats and liberals.
Against: the Social Democrats, the Left Party, the Environmental Party and the Center Party.
3. Free religious schools: The school must focus on knowledge
There are a handful of confessional schools in both Finland and Sweden. In Sweden, about one percent of all schools are confessional.
Left-wing parties oppose religious schools for ideological reasons, but Islamic schools in particular are opposed more widely in Sweden.
The question of banning religious schools is intertwined with the broader question of banning so-called free schools and their pursuit of profit.
Islamic free schools faced a real headwind when the Swedish School Inspection Agency found serious deficiencies in a few.
In this election, almost all parties oppose the establishment of new religious free schools. Only the Christian Democrats are completely against restricting the activities of religious free schools.
In the previous elections in 2018, only the left party and the Social Democrats wanted to ban religious free schools.
Several Swedish researchers are of the opinion that the question is theoretical (you switch to another service). The European Convention on Human Rights guarantees parents the right to choose an education for their children in accordance with the family’s religious beliefs. In addition, the ban could violate the right to run a business, Niklas Bolin points out.
For the ban: social democrats, left-wing party, environmental party, liberals.
Against the ban: Christian Democrats, Center Party
An even situation in opinion polls
Sweden’s left-wing and right-wing parties have support in opinion polls (you switch to another service) almost exactly. The Social Democrats is clearly the largest of all parties, but in order to continue as the Prime Minister’s party, it needs the support of the Center, Environmental and Left parties.
If the right-wing parties win the elections, the likely prime minister would be Ulf Kristersson of the moderate coalition. However, his position is hampered by the fact that the Sweden Democrats are the largest party on the right.