The debate, broadcast between 20:00 and 22:12 with a break for Rapport, was led by Camilla Kvartoft and Anders Holmberg. Participants included Amanda Lind (MP), Simona Mohamsson (L), Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist (C), Magdalena Andersson (S), Nooshi Dadgostar (V), Jimmie Åkesson (SD), Ebba Busch (KD), and Ulf Kristersson (M). The format was adjusted after the autumn debate was criticized for being heated, with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's staff demanding microphones be turned off for those not speaking.
However, SVT confirmed no microphones would be turned off, and duels were removed to allow more time for main topics. The first topic was energy, set against the war in Iran, which risks causing a serious energy crisis with high fuel and electricity prices, according to Camilla Kvartoft. According to a report, a majority in parliament voted in favor of the government's plans for new nuclear power, with Tidö parties and Social Democrats voting yes, while C and MP voted no, and the Left Party abstained.
It was noticeable that they have taken that to heart.
Magdalena Andersson said energy policy has collapsed after the government refused to reach a broad agreement, and that Sweden needs both new nuclear power and offshore wind power. Ebba Busch protested after the energy debate, saying she was not let into the nuclear power part at all. The second topic was healthcare, focusing on making care better, more equal, and more accessible regardless of location, as introduced by Anders Holmberg.
The third topic was the economy; Sweden remains in recession, and party leaders argued over how to strengthen household finances, stimulate growth, and combat unemployment, according to Camilla Kvartoft. The last topic was migration, in a situation where few asylum seekers come to Sweden; the overarching question was whether parties think that is good or bad, per multiple reports. The pairing system in the Riksdag was discussed heatedly during the last part of the debate.
I think the viewer who is a bit unsure about what the parties think on different issues got answers to that.
Political scientist Jenny Madestam told Aftonbladet that the debate was informative and clear. According to Aftonbladet, she noted that two 'doldises'—Simona Mohamsson and Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist—stood out, having become more comfortable as party leaders. She said the short yes/no questions clarified dividing lines between left and right, and that the Center Party is the deviating party on the red-green side.
In the migration issue, it became clear that V, MP, and partly C stand for a different migration policy than the other parties. Madestam said Nooshi Dadostar was very low-key this time, possibly because she seemed to have a cold, and that the other Tidö party leaders let Simona Mohamsson take more space. Outside the SVT building, a group of about 15 activists gathered, chanting 'Free Palestine'.
In those questions, it also became clear that the Center Party is the deviating party on the red-green side.
Police took four people into custody for disturbing public order, but they were not suspected of crimes. Three tried to force their way into the TV building, and a fourth man stepped into the street with a flag and disturbed traffic. Police set up an area under police law paragraph 24 where demonstrators were not allowed.
The demonstration lacked a permit, and police will file a report for violation of the Public Order Act. Several party leaders have withdrawn from Sveriges Radio's debate on Wednesday due to pairing chaos in the Riksdag. According to Expressen's sources, the debate may be postponed or held with substitutes.
In the migration issue, it also becomes clear that there are some parties – the Left Party, the Green Party, and partly the Center Party – that stand for a different migration policy at the bottom than what the other parties do.
Neither Ebba Busch (who had previously declined due to calendar reasons), Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, nor Ulf Kristersson will participate.
I would actually say that Simona Mohamsson, but also Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist. It was clear that both have become a little warmer in their clothes as party leaders. They dared to take a little more space.
Correspondingly, Nooshi Dadostar was very low-key this time. That might be connected to the fact that she seems to have a cold.
Yes, it was almost as if they wanted her to get a little more space. They let her say things that someone else from that side could also have said.