The Parties’ Proposals on Immigration

Sweden’s parties are offering sharply different answers on immigration and integration. Their proposals range from keeping asylum migration as low as possible to increasing the number of quota refugees to 5,000.

The Moderates want asylum migration to remain at the European Union minimum and propose a “Sweden contract” on the country’s basic values. They also support integration zones in vulnerable areas, honor-based screening, a higher age limit for family immigration, faster citizenship for well-integrated applicants, and reforms to Swedish-for-immigrants education. Publicly funded interpreting would also be limited.

The Sweden Democrats would take an even harder line. They want asylum immigration kept as low as possible, tougher work-permit requirements, an end to quota refugee admissions, and the withdrawal of permanent residence permits. They would broaden return grants to include Swedish citizens and introduce a headscarf ban in public places.

The Christian Democrats call for continued strict migration at levels comparable to Sweden’s neighbors. They also propose a coordinator for converts and want to develop the EU migration pact, with asylum applications primarily handled through a quota refugee system. The Liberals would create a route for well-established people to apply for or renew residence permits more easily, lower the salary threshold for labor migrants, and establish special “order schools” in segregated areas.

The Social Democrats propose a strict migration policy but oppose what they call unreasonable deportations. They want a quick solution for teenagers with strong ties to Sweden, needs-based labor migration with wages matching Swedish collective agreements, softer family immigration rules, limits on the settlement of newly arrived migrants in vulnerable areas, and language and civic requirements for permanent residence.

The Greens, Left Party and Centre Party all want to stop unreasonable deportations, restore permanent residence permits and ease family immigration rules. They also support restoring special compassionate grounds for teenagers to stay and accepting 5,000 quota refugees. The Greens oppose Sweden paying to avoid its responsibilities under the EU asylum pact, while the Left Party calls for a full review of the Tidö government’s migration policy and major investments in education and jobs. The Centre Party also seeks a transition solution for people changing immigration tracks and lower salary requirements for labor migrants.