The government's proposals, presented at a press conference on increased returns, include adapting Swedish law to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, lowering the deportation threshold to any sentence stricter than a fine, and requiring prosecutors to always seek deportation in such cases. The 'honest living' measure would allow deportation for minor offences, debt, or welfare fraud. The government estimates deportations for crimes could rise from 500 to 3,000 per year.
The government is also taking steps to deport 155 convicted Syrian criminals. However, the proposals have been criticized by the Economic Crime Authority, courts, and the Council on Legislation as 'system-foreign' and 'indefensible'. From July 13, employees of six authorities will be required to report undocumented migrants they encounter at work.
The government and Sweden Democrats are proceeding with this controversial 'information duty' law, despite opposition from the Christian Council of Sweden, which wants churches exempt from police checks. Parliament will vote on April 29 on a bill increasing the residency requirement for citizenship from five to eight years, with new language and self-sufficiency requirements. The government also proposes abolishing permanent residence permits for asylum-related grounds, replacing them with temporary permits, and allowing revocation of citizenship for dual nationals convicted of serious crimes.
New rules will make it easier for researchers and PhD students to get residency. The situation for Ukrainians under the EU mass protection directive remains unresolved. The government and Sweden Democrats will present what they call the 'biggest penal reform since the Penal Code was introduced', including 'security detention' for dangerous offenders.
However, several sentencing enhancements lack an implementation date due to prison capacity shortages; full capacity may not be reached until 2040. The Social Democrats demand a fast-track law to remove murder recruitment ads on social media, and the government proposes that TikTok and Instagram must remove such material within one hour. The government has invested in preventive social work and a new Social Services Act.
New 'intermediate coercion' rules allow social services to impose curfews and electronic monitoring on youth at risk. Parents who refuse to cooperate with social services may face fines. Stockholm city got access to police lists of HVB homes to avoid risky placements.
However, Save the Children is strongly critical of the new social services tools. VAT on food will be halved from 12% to 6% from April 1. New mortgage rules reduce the deposit requirement from 15% to 10% and loosen amortisation requirements.
The government proposes making it easier to rent out apartments second-hand, with freer rent setting. The government and Sweden Democrats have agreed on a five-year profit distribution ban for new free schools, but not for existing ones. The government proposes that housing associations can deny membership to buyers with criminal records.
The government and SD propose three additional publicly funded IVF attempts for couples who have already tried three. The government proposes a new crime of promoting incorrect population registration and expanded data sharing between agencies. The law against hawala is tightened from March 1, with up to six years' imprisonment.
A new law requires certain workers to show criminal record extracts to prevent infiltration in municipal care. More law enforcement agencies will be able to assist the Enforcement Authority in seizing property. Appeals from Falun and Mora district courts may be handled in Sundsvall instead of Stockholm.
A law change has altered how the Tax Agency assesses population registration. The government has scrapped the proposal for a minimum prison sentence for aggravated defamation after harsh criticism. The Sweden Democrats want a commission of inquiry into abuse in home care and life imprisonment for the worst offenders.
The Tidö parties want a new system to handle independent MPs who leave their parties. The Supreme Court has ruled that an EEA citizen can be deported for repeated theft crimes, setting a precedent. Teen deportations have caused political turmoil, and the government has changed its position.
The government and SD are negotiating on teen deportations; the Migration Agency may delay decisions if a more favourable law is coming. The Green Party wants to repeal several of the Tidö parties' stricter laws on migration and justice if they win the election. Many women are afraid to report violence due to fear of deportation, according to women's shelters and legal experts.