SD attacks Kristersson over Swedish values vote

Sweden’s other Tidö party leaders voted to require Swedish values for people to remain in the country, but Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson abstained, SVT reported after the final party leaders’ debate.

Kristersson, of the Moderate Party, chose the yellow option instead of voting yes. He said it was impossible to write an exact definition of Swedish values into law.

The Sweden Democrats quickly criticised the decision on social media. “In the party leaders’ debate, the Moderates could not say whether Swedish values should be required to remain in Sweden. Vote for the Sweden Democrats,” the party’s official account wrote on X.

Tobias Andersson, a Sweden Democrat and chair of the parliamentary Committee on Industry and Trade, also reacted strongly. “Good grief, how can the Moderates abstain on whether Swedish values should be required to remain in Sweden?” he wrote on X.

After the debate, Kristersson defended his choice. He said he agreed with the other parties on his side of the political divide, arguing that people should follow the law, know the Swedish language, support themselves, appreciate the country they have moved to and do everything they can to contribute.

The Christian Democrats, Liberals and Sweden Democrats all voted yes. The opposition parties also abstained, like Kristersson.

Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson called the situation “sad” and said seven parties essentially shared her position, but that Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Åkesson was directing the Tidö parties.