Parties clash over multiple-offence sentencing discount in SVT debate

The dispute over Sweden’s multiple-offence sentencing discount escalated during SVT’s final election debate, with party leaders Magdalena Andersson and Simona Mohamsson clashing over the issue, SVT reported.

The Moderates accuse the Social Democrats of wanting to retain the discount after the Social Democrats voted against the Tidö parties’ proposal in parliament.

The Social Democrats say they also want to abolish the discount, but through a different approach. They want to begin with sexual offences and serious violent crimes.

During the debate, Liberal Party leader Simona Mohamsson urged Andersson to admit that the Social Democrats had been wrong.

“Can’t you just admit that you were wrong? It is completely acceptable in Swedish politics to say that something went wrong,” Mohamsson said.

Andersson replied that the Social Democrats had clearly stated in parliament and in their government bills that they wanted to abolish the discount for sexual offences and serious violent crimes.

When Mohamsson interrupted her, Andersson responded: “No, no, stop, stop. She cannot interrupt me so that I cannot finish speaking. There has to be some order.”

When the debate moved on to Green Party leader Amanda Lind, she gave the floor back to Andersson.

“I think Magdalena should be allowed to answer, actually,” Lind said.

Moderates sent invoice to Social Democrats

The dispute intensified before the debate when the Moderates sent the Social Democrats an invoice for 50,000 kronor over what they called unauthorised use of an image.

The invoice concerned a secretly taken photograph from parliament showing Andersson voting against the Tidö parties’ proposal to abolish the discount. The Moderates took the photograph, which was widely shared on social media, including by the Social Democrats, who criticised the Moderates for taking it secretly.

The Moderates said they wanted to donate the money to the Crime Victim Fund.

“It feels childish and desperate. Grow up,” Andersson said of the invoice.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, a Moderate, laughed when asked about the invoice before the debate.

“It was mostly a joke. We thought that it is our image, so we could give the compensation to the Crime Victim Support Service, for example,” he said.