Sharp debate between Centre and Moderate parties over Sweden’s refugee quota cuts

A plan by Sweden’s government to slash the annual intake of quota refugees from 5,000 to 900 has sparked fierce criticism from the Centre Party, SVT Nyheter reports.

Migration Minister Johan Forssell of the Moderate Party defended the reduction in a debate on Thursday’s Aktuellt, arguing the change would improve integration efforts. The previous policy, he said, was “not fair to Sweden and, frankly, not fair to the many people who came here.”

“We have a responsibility to ensure they get the chance to become part of our community,” Forssell stated.

The Centre Party’s leader, Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, countered that Sweden should return to the 5,000-quota target, emphasising the distinction between asylum seekers and quota refugees. The latter, she noted, arrive from UN camps under dire conditions.

“Quota refugees come from the most horrendous circumstances in UN tents,” Ringqvist said. “We believe we should take our share of those in the greatest need.”