Christian Democrats target Liberal voters with school policy push

Sweden’s Christian Democrats are presenting a package of school policy proposals that party leader Ebba Busch says should make the party the leading school voice among the Tidö parties, SVT reports.

The proposals include conduct grades, detention for pupils who do not do their homework and 30 minutes of physical activity every school day.

“I believe we will take voters from all parties, including the Liberals,” said Mathias Bengtsson, the Christian Democrats’ education policy spokesperson.

The party hopes the proposals will shift the debate away from the way schools are operated. Busch described that debate as “incredibly tiresome”, noting that the Liberals have focused heavily on the issue.

The Liberals want to ban limited companies from operating schools, but Busch rejected that approach.

“Some of Sweden’s best schools operate as limited companies. It is completely clear that the form of operation itself is not what matters. However, we want to ensure that school funding stays in schools,” she said.

Busch is also cautious about the Liberals’ proposal to put schools under state control. Liberal leader Simona Mohamsson wants this as a condition for supporting the Christian Democrats’ proposal to put healthcare under state control.

“I am open to greater state responsibility for schools, but I note that, compared with our healthcare reform, there is much more groundwork in that area. But of course we are prepared to discuss it,” Busch said.

Bengtsson said the Christian Democrats’ focus on schools could attract voters from the Liberals, but argued that his role was to present the party’s policies regardless of the electoral consequences.

Busch said the initiative should not be viewed as an attempt to win over potential Liberal voters.

“It should be seen as support, not a challenge. Simona Mohamsson and I work very well together, and we are both helping to put welfare higher on the agenda,” she said.

Asked which of the Tidö parties is the school party, Busch replied: “Today, it is us. We are happy to take greater responsibility for these issues. But we want to do so together with the Liberals, as part of the blue and yellow team.”