Sweden Democrat leader proposes daily meat in schools

Jimmie Åkesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, criticized what he described as a politically driven development of school food, arguing that vegetarian dishes are served as the norm in some schools at the expense of children's willingness to eat. According to major media reports, Åkesson said he does not oppose vegetarian food per se, but believes school food must primarily be based on children's willingness to eat. He proposed a national requirement for school food to ensure meat is on the menu every day across Sweden, while adding that vegetarian alternatives should still be available for those who want them. "We know how badly it can go when left-wing forces get at the meat pots. Or the vegetarian meat pots, whatever that is," Åkesson said in a public speech. He also joked about "vegetarian cowboy soup," saying cowboys are not known for being vegetarians. "I mean that rule number one when it comes to school food must still be that children and young people actually want to eat the food. Not just eat because they have to," he said. "We cannot have an adult world telling children and young people to eat strange, even disgusting food. They don't eat it and then they go hungry." Åkesson added that "it doesn't matter what obscure research the anti-meat faction within the left refers to." He said after the election this autumn, the party will work for a national law ensuring meat on the menu every day. "It's time to stop this experimenting with our children. Give the children the food they want," he said.

After the deadly attack at Risbergska school in Örebro in 2025, the government parties and the Sweden Democrats agreed on a proposal to ban semi-automatic weapons such as the AR-15, according to major media reports. Åkesson supported the proposal. "For those who don't have this special interest, it seems quite incomprehensible that we allow this type of weapon, like the AR-15 for example," he said at a press conference.

Åkesson wants teenage deportations to be paused until a safety valve is in place, according to major media reports. He made the statement at a press conference with the other three party leaders in the Tidö cooperation, where they presented a final account of the Tidö Agreement. According to Svenska Dagbladet, Åkesson described pausing deportations as the most reasonable approach rather than rushing something that doesn't hit the mark. "If I get to decide, we will use that possibility. But I also realize that we need to talk about it," he said.

The Sweden Democrats could consider making an exception to allow circumcision of boys for Jews in accordance with their religious tradition, but not all in the party agree, according to major media reports. The internal disagreement remains unresolved.

Åkesson declined to debate Magdalena Andersson, saying it would be as interesting as debating a wall, according to major media reports. "For the voters, it is as interesting for me to debate Sweden's future with you as it would be to debate with a wall," he said.