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Local Sweden
6 days ago
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Why the 'Sverigehus' is a warning for the Sweden Democrats' future
The red and white 'Sverigehus', the Sweden Democrats' attempt to bring back an idealised type of Swedish architecture, looks like it has been co-opted by the exact same people behind the modernist concrete sprawl the party was rejecting. Advertisement It looked like it had been lifted from Astrid Lindgren's idealised village Bullerbyn: a Swedish villa painted in traditional falu rödfärg, with a white painted frame and ornate carpentry, snickarglädje, under the eaves. When the Sweden Democrats in 2022 launched Sverigehuset, "the Sweden house", their vision of a standardised design for a "traditional Swedish wooden house", which would be pre-approved for building permission across the country, it generated both ridicule and approval. The party which has so successfully campaigned on everything it thought had gone wrong with Sweden, was finally expressing what it wanted instead. For critics it was pure kitsch, a pastiche of an imagined Sweden that never was. But for others, it was, well, at least better than the soulless, unimaginative boxes otherwise being churned out. On Monday, the proposal became reality. The government and the Sweden Democrats would, they proclaimed in a press release, "turn people's housing dreams into reality" by "realising the idea of the Sverigehus". The only issue is that what was proposed did not actually do that. Indeed, it seemed less about a return to traditional vernacular architecture than about allowing house-builders to bypass municipal building departments and churn out mass-produced cookie-cutter houses unchecked. The Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning has been given an order to develop "type approval" for series-produced small houses, which will be pre-approved across Sweden so that house builders no longer have to apply again and again to have the design approved by each municipality. Advertisement The board is supposed to develop guidelines for these type-approved houses, but will not actually design them, although it will be asked to ensure that "at least one of the type-approved house models is formed in a traditional Swedish building style". There should, however be "several different type-approved small house models", and and others could very well be the kind of concrete boxes the Sweden Democrats so despise. At the press conference, Mikael Eskilandersson, the Sweden Democrats' civic policy spokesperson, somewhat weakly tried to argue that the orders to the housing board were, in fact, a step on the way to realising his party's 2022 proposal. "We see that our proposal is becoming reality. We have included that fact that even the cultural part of what the building looks like is at least going to be considered," he said. "This is to a large extent a direct result of our proposal. It was 95 square metres on the ground floor, if I recall correctly, for that house. 150 square metres in total. And that is what we have continued to push for in this proposal." He said that he was still confident that the Sverigehuset would end up being built. "A red cabin with white beams is perceived as safe and pleasant. If it was a square box made of concrete instead, it probably wouldn't be as easy to gain acceptance from the public,' he said. Advertisement A sign that all was not well was the seal of approval given by Gert Wingårdh, the architect whose projects have won the Kasper Kalkon prize for the ugliest new building no fewer than six times. "I find it difficult to see anything negative about a red-painted wooden house of 150 square meters, mass-produced by our small-house industry at a good price. Most families with children want to live like that," he told DN. The problem is the reality may not be that. Andreas Carlson, Sweden's housing minister, from the Christian Democrats, said the predominant aim was to lower the cost of owning a stand-alone house. "It should become possible to mass-produce houses that can be erected in different parts of the country without being obstructed by municipal rules and assessments," he said. "We will gladly call it Sverigehuset. That's not the most important thing for us. The most important thing is that more people should be able to get a foot in the door to owning their own home, which for many today is an almost unattainable dream." It's hard not to see the fate of the Sverigehus as a warning for what might end up happening to the party as it cooperates ever more closely with the economically liberal right. Might there be other culturally conservative causes from the party in the future that will also end up being twisted out of all recognition to fit the Moderate Party's vision of a low-regulation, low tax economy? Advertisement What else has happened in Swedish politics? Former Green Party leader tries to set record straight The former Green Party spokesperson Märta Stenevi, who resigned from the party in February 2024, has hit back with a memoir of her difficult period at the helm which some have interpreted as an act of revenge against her former colleagues. Her resignation followed months of internal strife, which began when anonymous sources in her party accused her in the media of "toxic management from above" and a "hard leadership style", after which the Saco and Unionen unions began an investigation into workplace abuse. In her book, "Breathe, survive", Stenevi claims she was never informed about which employees felt abused, and was never confronted with the issues face-to-face, making it impossible for her to respond. She also criticises the dysfunctional way the party is structured, with one male and one female spokesperson instead of a clear leader. The Battle of Brussels: Teodorescu Måwe vs Left Party staffer A physical altercation in the European Parliament between Swedish MEP Alice Teodorescu Måwe (Christian Democrats) and a staffer from the Left Party has sparked political fallout. The Left accuses Teodorescu Måwe of assault, citing visible injuries; she claims she was attacked after confronting the staffer for filming her without consent, allegedly over her views on Israel and Hamas. The EU Parliament's spokesperson says surveillance footage supports Teodorescu Måwe's account. Both sides have filed police reports. KD leader Ebba Busch condemns the incident as 'hate-fuelled political activism' and blames the Left for failing to control internal radicalism. Advertisement Swedish politics toughens stance on Israel Israel's new attack on Gaza appears to be rapidly losing it even its staunchest supporters in Swedish politics. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Monday said that Sweden would summon Israel's ambassador, to protest its refusal to allow critical humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel's ambassador Ziv Nevo Kulman will be called to meet Cabinet Secretary Dag Hartelius, the top official at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Kristersson said pressure on Israel must increase, floating the idea of EU sanctions. The call from Kristersson came after Mikael Odenberg, Sweden's former Moderate Party defence minister, and a former chair of the Swedish parliament's Swedish-Israeli friendship association, accused Israel of war crimes and ethnic cleansing in a heartfelt post on Facebook. "Ethnic cleansing and war by starving out the civilian population is not what I expected from the Israel I have admired for so long," he wrote. "It is not compatible with international law. It is a war crime. Bibi Netanyahu may be elected but he is also corrupt and he has been a destructive force for the peace process for 20 years. His actions now deserve to be tried before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague." Social Democrats fined 3 million kronor for lottery scandal The Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) fined the Social Democrats 3 million kronor for violating gambling laws at their Kombispel lottery operations. The Social Democrats, their youth wing SSU, and women's wing S-kvinnor also received official warnings. The authority found that Kombispel failed to operate with adequate consumer protection and engaged in excessive marketing. Specifically, they relied on aggressive telemarketing tactics, including sending invoices without prior consent and repeatedly contacting people who had declined offers. This follows a Dagens Nyheter exposé revealing that sales personnel targeted pensioners, many of whom didn't understand that they were subscribing to a monthly lottery. Spelinspektionen called the violations 'neither minor nor excusable.'
Epoch Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Sweden's National Identity Crisis
Commentary In the 20th century, Sweden became a global beacon of socioeconomic harmony and political stability. While widely seen as a successful fusion of capitalism and equality, drawing international praise for its expansive welfare state and diplomatic humanitarianism, Swedes saw their nation as a 'moral superpower' at home. Today, this image is crumbling under the weight of grim headlines. Unemployment hovers around 9 percent—one of the highest rates in the European Union—with youth unemployment nearing 25 percent. Despite an average income tax rate exceeding 40 percent, plus payroll taxes and a 25 percent national sales tax, public services are failing: patients in the public healthcare system often wait months for basic treatments, roads are in disrepair, and schools are grappling with plummeting performance. In 2022, 800,000 of Sweden's 10 million residents were classified as illiterate, the highest number since the late 19th century. Even more alarming is the surge in violent crime. Once among the safest countries in the world, Sweden today has one of Europe's highest gun homicide rates. In 2022, authorities recorded 391 shootings, resulting in 62 deaths. The violence has also spread from the big cities to smaller towns. A recent triple murder in a barber shop in central Uppsala—long considered one of Sweden's safest communities—shocked the nation. Related Stories 3/26/2025 3/22/2025 Also, bombings, previously inconceivable in Swedish society, have become common. In 2023, police reported 149 explosive attacks, up from a handful a decade ago. This situation has prompted authorities to designate more than 60 neighborhoods as 'no-go zones,' and the government has floated the idea of deploying the military to help restore order. Analysts argue that immigration is the cause of this upheaval. Since the 1990s, Sweden has indeed accepted over two million migrants, mainly from war-torn countries like Syria, Somalia, and Afghanistan. Thus, immigration has emerged as the country's most combative political issue, and in the 2022 election, the populist Sweden Democrats surged to become the second-largest party. Yet, despite its hardline immigration policy, the party's platform mainly reflects the ideals of Sweden's traditional welfare state rather than the conservatism of notables like Donald Trump. One must look deeper into Sweden's historical identity to understand this paradox. Swedes' self-image traces back to the 16th century when it broke away from the Danish-dominated Kalmar Union, transformed into an autocratic, Lutheran military state, and in the 17th century, gained great power through its Thirty Years' War exploits. This unlikely ascent—from a poor, sparsely populated country to a regional empire—was achieved through military ingenuity, bureaucratic efficiency, and hefty sacrifices imposed on the people through high taxes, forced labor, and mass conscription. This combination of implausible success and suffering helped forge national unity. Even after the loss of their Baltic empire in 1718 and the cession of Finland to Russia in 1809, the Swedes continued to see themselves as a people with a divine mission—to show the world how a well-ordered state should function. In the mid-19th century, this exceptionalist sense found a new outlet in capitalism. After centuries of hardship, Sweden's Protestant work ethic and engineering ingenuity began to flourish. By the early 20th century, the country had become one of the world's most industrialized nations, a development driven by figures like inventor-entrepreneur Alfred Nobel. Then came the Social Democratic era. From 1932 to 1976, the Social Democrats held uninterrupted power, building a robust welfare state. Their rule initially promoted continuous growth through moderate taxation and focused on solving practical problems rather than pushing ideological agendas. By 1970, Sweden thus briefly became the third wealthiest nation on earth. However, a turning point came around 1970 when the party shifted sharply to the left. Taxes rose, the healthcare system was socialized, and experimental policies like 'wage-earner funds'—intended to transfer company ownership to workers partially—were introduced. As a result, the private sector began to flounder, and Sweden's GDP per capita began to slip towards today's 13th place globally. This decline has been difficult to accept for a country whose self-image is bound up with the idea of national superiority. Yet, instead of rethinking their system, Swedish politicians across the spectrum clung to the welfare model with religious fervor. Case in point: The Sweden Democrats today echo the ideals of early 20th-century Social Democratic leaders like Per Albin Hansson, 'the father of the Swedish welfare state,' more than present-day populists akin to Donald Trump. Hence, Sweden's current crisis is not just economic but existential. A nation once seeing itself as a model for the world struggles to reconcile its historical myths with reality. To overcome this identity crisis, Sweden will be forced to do more than implement tighter immigration laws, introduce economic reform, and improve policing. It will be forced to go through a national reckoning: Confront past mistakes and discard outdated self-perceptions. Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Local Sweden
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Can anyone beat the favourite to lead Sweden's Liberal Party?
The deadline to nominate the leader of Sweden's Liberal Party has passed with Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari far out in front. But as the choices made by the party's three top districts remain secret, there's still a chance of a surprise. Advertisement The Liberal Party will vote for its new leader on June 24th, bang in the middle of the Almedalen political festival, the most important annual event of Swedish political life. The chosen candidate will be announced by the party's selection committee about a week ahead of the vote, giving them a chance to give interviews and sell themselves to party members. When nominations closed on Monday night, Pourmokhtari's candidacy had won the public backing of the Liberal Party's youth wing LUF, the party's student organisation, and seven party districts – Västerbotten, Kronoberg, Jämtland, Skaraborg, Södermanland, and Dalarna. Her main rival, Schools Minister Lotta Edholm, had received the backing of just one district, Västmanland. Cecilia Malmström, the former European Commissioner for Trade, who is no longer even a party member let alone standing for leader, was nominated by Karlskrona. The three biggest districts, Stockholm, Skåne and Western Sweden, have said, however, that they will not reveal their preferred candidate until the day of the vote. As they hold nearly 60 percent of the votes, that means the race could be far from over. Örebro district is also holding back. Lars Persson Skandevall, chair of the selection committee, told the TT newswire that several candidates have been nominated who have not featured much, if at all, in the media speculation. So who are the candidates and do any of them have a chance of ousting Pourmokhtari? Romina Pourmokhtari. Photo: Lars Schröder/TT Romina Pourmokhtari. When she was made climate minister back in 2022, Pourmokhtari was Sweden's youngest ever minister. But if she wins the race to lead the liberals, she'll be far from the youngest-ever party leader, even at age 29. The Christian Democrats' Ebba Busch, Centre Party's Annie Lööf and Green Party's Gustav Fridolin, were all 28 when they took over their respective parties. Jimmie Åkesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, was only 26. The party districts backing Pourmokhtari say she is a skillful debater who will help the party attract new, younger members. But she also has a fair amount of baggage. Sweden has reported rising emissions under her tenure as climate minister and she has had to defend a set of policies that has been heavily criticised by the OECD and by the government's own climate policy watchdog. Advertisement She also flipped from one of the most vociferous opponents of cooperating with the far-right Sweden Democrats as chair of the party's youth group to serving as a minister in a government supported by them. Pourmokhtari grew up in Sundbyberg, a Stockholm suburb, as the child of political refugees from Iran. The family moved to a more central part of Stockholm in time for Pourmokhtari to go upper secondary school. She studied at Uppsala University and won a place in the Stureakademin, the programme through which Sweden's right-wing think tank Timbro identifies and develops future leaders. As part of the programme, she travelled to Washington DC, where she met Republican politicians and lobbyists and visited think tanks. Lotta Edholm. Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT Lotta Edholm If she wins the race, 60-year-old Edholm will be the second Liberal leader in her family. Her ex-husband and father of her son, Lars Leijonborg, led the party (then called Folkpartiet) between 1997 and 2007 and was nicknamed Leijonkungen, or "the Lion King", by the Swedish newspapers after the party got 13.3 percent of the vote in 2002. They divorced in 2004. Edholm spent more than 20 years in Stockholm city politics, appointed as the city councillor in charge of schools between 2006 and 2014, and then again between 2018 and 2020. She arguably has an easier record in government than Pourmokhtari, with her drive as schools minister to reduce the use of screens generally positively received by the public. Fredrik Malm. Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT Fredrik Malm Malm acquitted himself fairly well when he was called in to replace outgoing party leader Johan Pehrson in a party leader debate at the end of April, and some saw it as a sign that he was a possible successor. He has been a key figure in the party since he was appointed its foreign policy spokesperson in 2010. Like Edholm, he was formerly part of a Liberal Party power couple. He has two sons with his ex-wife Gulan Avci, who serves as the party's defence spokesperson. Advertisement Malm is very much a foreign policy specialist who has twice served as the party's foreign policy spokesperson and has historically strongly supported Ukraine's efforts to defend itself against Russia. He has long campaigned for the rights of Kurds and other Turkish minorities, as well as criticising Islamic extremism and fighting anti-Semitism. His great-grandfather Einar Kruse was the treasurer for the Swedish Communist Party. Mats Persson. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT Mats Persson Persson, currently Sweden's employment and integration minister, is the most right-wing candidate, a strong proponent of cooperation with the Sweden Democrats. Persson was so opposed to working with the Social Democrats that he stood down as the party's economics spokesperson when it signed up the so-called January Agreement that allowed the Social Democrats to form a government in 2019. He was deputy chair of the Liberal Party's youth wing between 2004 and 2006. He did his PhD at Lund University on sick leave and early retirement among immigrants in Sweden. Of the current ministers, Persson is least likely to win the leadership, however, as he is not seen as having made much impact either in his two years as education minister or in his current role. Cecilia Malmström. Photo: Fredrik Persson/TT Cecilia Malmström Malmström, who was nominated to be leader by the party district in Karlskrona, has long been the dream leader for the more socially conscious wing of the party. She has, however, repeatedly refused the role, starting in 2007, when Leijonborg stood down, and in 2023 announced that she had decided not to renew her membership of the party due to her opposition to the decision to be part of a government dependent on the Sweden Democrats. "We do not see it as a barrier that she is no longer a Liberal Party member, but more a possibility," the Karlskrona district wrote. "We share her values and therefore want to invite her to return to the party and lead it into the future with strength, intelligence and renewed self-confidence." Cecilia Rönn. Photo: Christine Olsson/TT Cecilia Rönn Cecilia Rönn, the Liberal Party's economic spokesperson, was the first to throw her hat into the race when Johan Pehrson announced that he was standing down at the end of April. "I am available for whatever assignments that the party wishes," she told Dagens Nyheter. "But I am completely convinced that there are many talented people around the country who can take on that role." Karin Karlsbro. Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT Karin Karlsbro Karin Karlsbro, the party's only MEP, is one of the leading critics within the party of the decision to cooperate with the Sweden Democrats. She wrote an article on possible futures for the Liberal Party, which some have interpreted as an expression of interest in a leadership role. Advertisement She has been ranked as Sweden's most active MEP by the Europaportalen website, among other things serving as the European Parliament's chief negotiator on financial support to Ukraine. But her profile remains low at home in Sweden, although she got more coverage during last year's EU election. She chaired the party's youth group between 1995 and 1997 and was chief of staff to Sweden's minister for integration, Nyamko Sabuni, during the first Alliance government between 2006 and 2010. Jan Jönsson. Photo: Carolina Byrmo/TT Jan Jönsson Jönsson, who leads the party in Stockholm, would be a wild card choice. Jönsson has been perhaps the most outspoken critic of its accommodation with the Sweden Democrats and also openly questioned the new "vision" for the party passed at its congress in March. Advertisement A geeky former teacher with a taste for extravagant floral shirts, Jönsson has made his mark with attention-grabbing campaigns centred on his own person, such as dressing up in drag and reading to children, or describing himself in posters – tongue firmly in cheek – as "the gangs' worst enemy". There are as yet no signs, however, that he is willing to trade his well-established position in Stockholm for the leadership. Simona Mohamsson. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT Simona Mohamsson Simona Mohamsson, who is only a year older than Poumokhtari, has been rising very fast within the party and is seen as a possible candidate. As recently as December, she was a municipal politician in Hisingen, Gothenburg. She was appointed party secretary in April, and now may be willing to take a shot at the leadership. Advertisement So do any of them have a chance? It depends on whether the three biggest districts, Stockholm, Skåne and Western Sweden, trust Pourmokhtari not to join or back a government that includes ministers from the Sweden Democrats. As Karlskrona's decision to nominate Malmström indicates, there are still pockets of the party heavily opposed to cooperation with the far right. There is a slim chance that enough of them will unite around a figure like Karlsbro or Jönsson to mount a challenge. But it looks pretty unlikely. Politics in Sweden is The Local's weekly analysis, guide or look ahead to what's coming up in Swedish politics. Update your newsletter settings to receive it directly to your inbox.
Business Insider
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Top 10 African countries with the most asylum applications in Sweden
In 2024, Sweden continued to serve as a key destination for individuals seeking refuge from conflict, persecution, and instability across various regions of the world with Africans making up a significant number of the asylum seekers. Sweden remained a refuge for individuals escaping global conflicts, with thousands of African nationals applying for asylum in 2024. Sweden only granted 6,250 asylum-linked residence permits throughout 2024, the lowest since 1985, due to stricter immigration policies. Eritrea topped the African asylum application statistics in Sweden for 2024, followed by Somalia, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. According to recent data released by the Swedish Migration Agency under its "Asyl" program, a total of 6,460 African nationals from 32 different countries applied for asylum in the country over the past year. This figure includes both first-time applicants and individuals seeking to extend their temporary residency, highlighting the ongoing reliance on Sweden's asylum system by many who view it as a haven of safety and opportunity amidst uncertain futures. Over the past decade, Sweden has seen a steady stream of asylum seekers from African nations such as Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—countries where violence, persecution, and weak state structures often force citizens to seek protection abroad. Sweden tightens immigration Despite these figures, Sweden issued only 6,250 asylum-linked residence permits to all nationalities in 2024; the lowest number since 1985. Over the past two decades, the number of foreign-born residents in Sweden has doubled, now making up about a fifth of the country's 10.5 million population. Asylum-related residency permits peaked in 2016 at over 86,000, following the 2015 migration crisis. Since then, Sweden has tightened its immigration policies, influenced by the rise of the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, now the second-largest party. Human rights groups have criticized the government for scapegoating immigrants and undermining civil liberties. Notably, to qualify for asylum, applicants must demonstrate a credible fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Applicants must also qualify under extraordinary humanitarian circumstances. However, authorities may deny or revoke protection for individuals who pose a security threat or have committed serious crimes. These policies mark a significant departure from Sweden's historically open approach to asylum. Sweden: Africa's new asylum frontier The stricter criteria and reduced social support have significantly impacted acceptance rates, especially for applicants from African nations, many of whom now face greater uncertainty in their pursuit of refuge in Sweden. According to data from the Swedish Migration Agency's immigration portal, the table below presents the top 10 African countries with the highest number of asylum applications submitted in Sweden in 2024. Rank Country Total Applications 1 Eritrea 2,692 2 Somalia 1,316 3 Ethiopia 597 4 Nigeria 375 5 Sudan 257 6 Uganda 255 7 Morocco 173 8 Egypt 165 9 The Gambia 107 10 Burundi 106 East Africa's Eritrea topped the list with 2,692 asylum applications: 359 first-time requests and 2,333 extension applications. Somalia followed with a combined 1,316 applications, including 191 new applicants and 1,125 seeking to extend their stay. Ethiopia recorded 597 applications (181 first-time, 416 extensions), while Nigeria had 375 applications in total (239 new and 136 extensions). Other African countries with notable numbers include Uganda (255 total), Sudan (257), Egypt (165), Morocco (173), Burundi (106), and The Gambia (107).
Local Sweden
05-05-2025
- Business
- Local Sweden
Five things we learned from Sweden's party leader debate
Swedish public broadcaster SVT held its first party leader debate of the year on May 4th. What were the key takeaways? Advertisement Both blocs united among themselves on economic issues Sweden's opposition – the Social Democrats, Left Party, Centre Party and Greens – were united on most issues, SVT's domestic policy commentator Elisabeth Marmorstein said after the debate. 'It's not that strange that they're heading in the same direction but at different speeds, where the Centre Party sticks out the most with proposals for lower employer fees and things like that,' she said. She also said that the so-called Tidö parties, made up of the government parties and the far-right Sweden Democrats, were also united, except when it comes to child benefit. More on that below. A majority of Swedish parties are in favour of raising child benefit Five of Sweden's eight parties were also in favour of raising child benefits, although the governing bloc – the Moderates, Liberals and Christian Democrats supported by the Sweden Democrats – was divided. Among those in favour were the Social Democrats, the Left Party, the Green Party and two government parties – the Liberals and Christian Democrats. The Moderates abstained, while the Centre Party and the Sweden Democrats voted no. 'Really, I don't have any problem with raising child benefits,' Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Åkesson said, 'but it needs to be reformed first.' He was, for example, critical of the fact that everyone with children receives the benefit, including people like himself with high salaries. Advertisement PM ruled out financial support to Norrland's green energy projects The Swedish government has so far rejected calls to support green energy projects in Norrland, for example by bailing out bankrupt battery company Northvolt, and that doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon. Despite this, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was not opposed to other forms of support. 'If you mean making sure there is competence and energy. But if you mean that the state should go in with large sums of money and invest itself, like the left bloc is hinting? Absolutely not.' This statement received criticism from Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson, who said that it was 'annoying to listen to'. 'What he's trying to accuse other parties of is just ridiculous,' she said. Advertisement Majority of party leaders believe USA is heading for authoritarianism All eight party leaders were also asked whether they believe the US is heading for authoritarianism. Leaders for five of the eight parties – the Social Democrats, Left Party, Green Party, Liberals and Christian Democrats – all answered yes, while the Centre Party and the Moderates abstained. The Sweden Democrats were the only party to answer no. Moderate party leader, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, explained his answer by saying that he always puts Swedish interests first, while Centre Party leader Anna-Karin Hatt said that 'the USA is bigger than the White House'. 'There's no doubt that Trump is acting in a completely unacceptable manner and they aren't just authoritarian tendencies,' she said. 'But I still believe that there are robust democratic institutions.' Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Åkesson said that he did see authoritarian tendencies, but that he thought saying the US is heading for authoritarianism was a step too far. 'They have an administration chosen by the people, they are acting within the framework of the constitution. As long as they're doing that, I think saying they are going in an authoritarian direction is a step too far. That's essentially saying that they're heading for a dictatorship.' 'I do, however, think that Donald Trump appears to be an extremely unlikeable figure, who is also doing a huge amount of bad things for those of us here in Sweden and Europe.' Advertisement Which side will the Centre Party choose in the next election? The new leader of the Centre Party, Anna-Karin Hatt, made a strong first impression in the debate, which also happened to be her first day on the job – she was formally voted in as the new Centre Party leader at an EGM the day before. Hatt made it clear once more that her party is not interested in collaborating with the Sweden Democrats, after promising that 'any government the Centre Party is part of will be a government which prioritises effective work on the climate. And any government that consciously chooses to lower Sweden's climate goals can also count on the Centre Party to bring it down.' The Sweden Democrats are the party in parliament least interested in tackling climate change, with their leader Jimmie Åkesson answering a firm no when asked if it's important that Sweden meets its climate goals by 2030. Moderate leader Ulf Kristersson extended a clear invite to Hatt to collaborate, saying that on food production in particular his party was 'ready to take that discussion every day', while Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch also said she was open to collaborating. 'It's up to Anna-Karin Hatt,' she said. Hatt wouldn't give any clear statement on collaboration with other parties, other than ruling out working with the Sweden Democrats, saying that it was up to the party to decide.
