Migration debate in Sweden focused on refugees — The Local Sweden
In Sweden, SVT’s televised debate on migration focused mainly on refugees and barely addressed labour migrants and their family members, who make up a significant share of those arriving in the country. The Local Sweden draws attention to this in a political analysis.
At the September 6 debate, the Moderate Party was represented by Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer rather than Migration Minister Johan Forssell. The Centre Party’s migration spokesperson, Niels Paarup-Petersen, said that Strömmer was taking part in the debate because he was the Moderate representative whom, in his view, people support.
Deportations of teenagers
The opposition focused on the deportations of teenagers who already live in Sweden. Representatives of the ruling Tidö coalition said that such cases were a consequence of the previous administration’s laws and that the current authorities had already resolved the issue.
Social Democrat Lawen Redar supported a strict migration policy but opposed the deportation of teenagers. According to her, the level of asylum grants should correspond to the EU minimum level.
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The opposition also criticised a proposal put forward as part of a government-commissioned inquiry to revoke the permanent residence permits of former asylum seekers. Representatives of the government parties, apart from Ludvig Aspling of the Sweden Democrats, said they did not support the idea. Liberal Party leader Simona Mohamsson warned against creating disorder, while Strömmer stressed that the state must act predictably.
Who is arriving in Sweden
According to data cited by the publication, about 23,500 people arrived in Sweden last year with work permits or as family members of holders of such permits. Another 3,500 people arrived as asylum seekers, excluding 9,300 Ukrainians who arrived under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. About 25,000 people arrived as family members, including relatives of Swedish citizens.
The publication notes that labour migrants have in recent years faced the deportation of their teenage children, retrospective changes to salary thresholds for work permits, and changes to citizenship acquisition rules. During the debate, Paarup-Petersen said that Sweden needs to attract people who will contribute to the country’s prosperity.
