Sweden passes sentencing reform amid opposition pledge to revisit

Sweden's government has successfully pushed through its contentious sentencing discount reform, a key part of the Tidö agreement, despite significant opposition. The legislation, which aims to toughen penalties, passed the Riksdag with a narrow 176-171 vote after a heated debate. This outcome allows the government to claim a legislative victory before the upcoming fall election.

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We want to tighten penalties for sexual offenses now, not in four or fourteen years.

The reform is projected to cost between 45 and 50 billion Swedish kronor and is not expected to take effect until 2029 or 2030. Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson defended the expenditure, citing a projected decrease in crime rates and potential cost savings in the correctional system through measures like electronic monitoring and increased deportations.

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There is a clear connection between August 13 and September 13. It is crucial that voters on September 13 support this decision. Then this will become reality.

However, the Social Democrats, the main opposition party, have vowed to reverse the reform if they gain power in the election. Teresa Carvalho, the Social Democrats' spokesperson for justice policy, criticized the government's approach, stating that the proposed changes would not be implemented for several years. She argued that the current legal framework prevents the government from immediately altering the sentencing discounts and that a new legislative proposal would be required by a future government.

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We have room, but don't forget that the crime trend is going down now. This means that the costs are going down.

Carvalho emphasized that the opposition's priority is to increase penalties for sexual offenses immediately. She suggested that the government's current proposal is politically motivated, designed to secure a win before the election, but its practical impact would be delayed. The Social Democrats plan to "revisit" the issue if they win, aiming for a swifter implementation of stricter penalties.

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We must change the government if we are to immediately abolish the discount for sexual offenses. The proposal we voted on today will not come into effect for several, several years.