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Monday, June 16, 2025

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https://nordictimes.com/health/chemical-levels-vary-widely-among-swedish-youth/

Health

Chemical levels vary widely among Swedish youth

Published 27 January 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Chemicals are found in products such as makeup and skincare.
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Levels of chemicals in Swedish youth vary widely, according to a doctoral thesis from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Factors such as gender, place of birth and place of residence have a major impact on levels.

Chemicals are becoming increasingly common in our environment and accumulate in the human body through constant exposure. Despite their ubiquity, knowledge of their health effects is still limited.

In his doctoral thesis, Sebastian Pineda investigated chemical levels in Swedish adolescents, their exposure to these substances and potential health risks. The samples were collected via the Swedish National Food Agency’s project Riksmaten Ungdom.

Pineda’s research focused on long-lived chemicals that can stay in the body for years, including harmful metals and organic pollutants such as chlorinated, brominated or fluorinated substances, such as PFAS chemicals. He also studied short-lived chemicals that leave the body quickly but are found in everyday products such as makeup, skincare and plastics.

Country of birth can influence

The results show that Swedish adolescents are exposed to a “chemical cocktail” similar to that observed in other highly industrialized countries, such as the United States. However, factors such as gender and place of birth play a crucial role in the levels of different substances.

Young people born in Sweden or other industrialized countries had higher levels of persistent chemicals compared to young people born in developing countries.

– More surprisingly, country of birth also had a clear impact on levels of substances that are excreted from the body quite quickly. However, in our data, there is no information on possible sources of exposure that could help us explain this, said Pineda in a press release.

At the same time, some exceptions were noted, such as a breakdown product of DDT and a component of lindane – two insecticides banned in Sweden. Young people born in developing countries had significantly higher levels of these substances compared to Swedish adolescents.

Different for girls and boys

The study revealed clear gender differences. For example, boys had higher levels of chromium, mercury and lead than girls. One possible explanation is that boys generally eat larger amounts of food and thus ingest more metals. Another explanation could be that older girls lose some chemicals through menstrual blood.

Girls generally had higher levels of chemicals found in makeup and skincare products, as well as higher levels of cadmium. In addition, the results showed that exposure to certain substances differs between northern and southern Sweden.

– Levels of these flame retardants and plastic chemicals were higher in young people in the north. We suspect that this is related to living conditions, as we know that the indoor environment is an important pathway for these substances, says Sebastian Pineda.

Chemical mixtures and the immune system

Pineda and his colleagues also investigated the potential impact of chemical mixtures on the immune system of adolescents in the context of vaccination. The study analyzed the link between exposure and antibody levels in the blood after vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP), and measles and rubella (MR). However, the associations were considered weak and uncertain.

– The mixture exposures did not seem to be high enough to have a clear impact on the levels of antibodies against DTP and MMR, but my thesis is only a first investigation of possible chemical mixture effects on the complex immune system in adolescents, says Pineda.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/widdings-new-party-wants-to-put-swedes-first/

Sweden

Widding’s new party wants to put Swedes first

Published 13 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Elsa Widding's party wants to focus on “the important issues that none of the current parties in parliament dare to pursue with sufficient vigor".
4 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

A new political party, Sverige Först (Sweden first), was launched yesterday with the stated vision of restoring Sweden’s prosperity, security, and independence.

The founder is the outspoken and popular member of parliament Elsa Widding, who has long been a vocal critic of climate alarmism, supranationalism, and experimental mass vaccination programs.

The party uses the slogan “Make Sweden rich again!” and compares Sweden to Switzerland, noting that Swedes have fallen far behind in recent years.

“In the 1970s, Swedes were one of the richest people in the world; we were then on the same level of prosperity as Switzerland. Today, an experienced Swedish high school teacher earns about 40,000 kronor per month, while a Swiss teacher earns the equivalent of 150,000 kronor”, they write. The party’s solution? Lower taxes and a freer market economy.

In the area of security, Sverige Först wants to see a return to non-alignment. They criticize NATO membership as provocative and risky and want to focus on invasion defense and diplomacy, especially to reduce tensions with Russia.

“Given the uncertainties surrounding NATO, Sweden’s goal should be to pursue an independent security policy aimed at becoming an alliance-free country again. Our ambition should be to stay out of armed conflicts and instead work for détente in our immediate neighborhood”, they argue further. The party is also strongly critical of the DCA agreement, which they see as a direct provocation against Russia, and emphasizes that Sweden should avoid becoming a target in a potential conflict scenario.

More independence

Sverige Först is also opposed to supranationalism and globalism and sees the EU and the World Economic Forum (WEF) as threats to Sweden’s sovereignty and independence.

“Swedish citizens should govern Sweden, not the globalists in Davos or the EU bureaucrats in Brussels”, they declare, arguing that Sweden may need to leave the EU if the union no longer serves the interests of Sweden and the Swedish people.

They also warn that global institutions such as the WHO and the IMF are actively depriving nations of their self-determination and pushing for digital control systems that threaten individual freedom.

“The further away political decisions are made, the more difficult it is for individuals to make their voices heard, and the less self-government and freedom the nation has left. For globalists, the individual is a source of tax revenue and soldier material, but otherwise mostly a nuisance”, they write.

No to climate alarmism and experimental vaccines

Climate policy is another contentious issue. Sverige Först dismisses the climate crisis as greatly exaggerated and wants to base decisions on science, not “alarmism”.

They refer to the IPCC and claim that disaster scenarios have been toned down, while prioritizing agriculture and self-sufficiency over wind power, which they want to phase out in favor of more stable nuclear power. The party emphasizes that nuclear power is the key to cheap and reliable energy, while wind power is seen as unreliable and harmful to nature.

On the vaccine issue, the party expresses skepticism toward mRNA vaccines and condemns the handling of COVID-19. It emphasizes that the individual’s right to choose must be respected according to the Nuremberg Code and criticizes the coercive and surveillance measures introduced during the pandemic.

“Self-evident rights such as gathering, demonstrating, visiting elderly relatives, and attending funerals were abolished. In some countries, it was more or less mandatory to be vaccinated with COVID vaccines, even though the preparations are still in the experimental stage”, it continues.

The party expresses strong concern that the vaccines have not been sufficiently tested and have caused a number of serious vaccine injuries, and calls for an independent review of the pandemic measures:

“Positive change always begins with an acknowledgment of the mistakes that have been made. This process must begin immediately, before more lives are lost in a careless and unnecessary manner”.

Want to highlight what others ignore

When it comes to migration, the party wants to limit it with income requirements – but does not advocate any comprehensive repatriation programs. However, it wants to “stop immigration in order to be able to take care of those who are here” and “create good conditions for the families and individuals who have come to Sweden over the past 25 years with the desire to integrate into Swedish society”.

According to Elsa Widding, the party’s focus is “on the important issues that none of the current parties in parliament dare to pursue with sufficient vigor”, and each policy area will be represented by three people until the 2026 election.

“All with documented experience and relevant expertise to be able to show the way forward”, it says.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/shadowy-globalist-meeting-in-stockholm-19-nordic-power-brokers-attend/

The Nordics

Shadowy globalist meeting in Stockholm – 19 Nordic power brokers attend

The globalist agenda

Published 13 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Jacob Wallenberg, Magdalena Andersson and Ebba Busch are three of the Swedes at the power conference.
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

When the world’s most powerful people gather in Stockholm, it happens without an audience, without the press, and without protocol. The Bilderberg meeting is back – and this time with more Swedish participants than ever before.

The infamous Bilderberg meeting – an annual and strictly closed power conference where the world’s most influential people from politics, business, and the media gather – is in full swing at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm.

The meeting began on Thursday evening and will continue until Sunday. A total of 114 Western leaders are participating, including nine Swedes, four Finns, four Norwegians and two Danes.

Critics see Sweden’s greatly increased participation as a symptom of an increasingly isolated power culture, where crucial discussions are held behind closed doors – far from open debates and even further from public scrutiny.

The Bilderberg meeting has long been known for its secrecy.

Discussions take place in secret and under the so-called Chatham House rule, which means that participants may use the information they receive, but never reveal to outsiders who said what. This lack of transparency has attracted repeated criticism and fueled speculation about what is actually decided in this closed network, where the people have no opportunity to hear what is said.

“Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s) nor of any other participant may be revealed”, it states.

Oligarchs and political leaders

The Swedish delegation consists of some of the most influential people in the country. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), opposition leader Magdalena Andersson (S), and Minister of Energy and Business Ebba Busch (KD) represent the political elite. From the business world, the oligarch brothers Jacob and Marcus Wallenberg – two of the key figures in Sweden’s most powerful financial dynasty – are participating. In addition, Oscar Stenström, former NATO negotiator and now advisor to the Wallenberg sphere, is also involved in the event.

Other Swedish participants include Martin Lundstedt, CEO of the Volvo Group, Micael Johansson, CEO of arms manufacturer Saab, Spotify founder Daniel Ek, and EQT chairman Conni Jonsson.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson attends this year’s Bilderberg meeting. Photo: Ninni Andersson/Government Offices of Sweden

In addition to the Swedes, several international leaders are on the list of participants. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and former Prime Minister Sanna Marin are among the political figures. From the media and tech world, journalist Anne Applebaum, billionaire and Palantir founder Peter Thiel, and the company’s CEO Alex Karp – known for supplying surveillance technology to both intelligence agencies and the military – are participating.

The US dominates the meeting with 29 participants, followed by France with 12. Fifty-seven people, including Swedes Daniel Ek and Marcus Wallenberg, also attended last year’s meeting in Madrid. Among the 114 participants this year are 27 women.

No one knows what will be discussed

According to the organizers, this year’s agenda includes topics such as the war in Ukraine, the Middle East, the US economy, AI, national security, and defense innovation. The list also includes “depopulation and migration”, critical minerals, and geopolitics – topics with a direct impact on global politics, economics, and technology. But since no minutes are taken and no independent review takes place, it is impossible to know what is actually being discussed, what interests are at play, or whether any agreements are reached.

For decades, the Bilderberg meeting has been subject to harsh criticism because of its closed nature and total lack of democratic transparency. Critics argue that it serves as a forum where the world’s most powerful people can coordinate their agendas – without journalists, without accountability and far from the public eye.

However, the organization itself claims that it sees the event as a space for “informal discussions on major issues” and argues that its private nature allows for frank conversations:

“Thanks to the private nature of the Meeting, the participants take part as individuals rather than in any official capacity, and hence are not bound by the conventions of their office or by pre-agreed positions. As such, they can take time to listen, reflect and gather insights”, it claims.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Confirmed participants – full list:

Abrams, Stacey (USA), CEO, Sage Works Production
Albuquerque, Maria Luís (INT), European Commissioner Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union
Alcázar Benjumea, Diego del (ESP), CEO, IE University
Alverà, Marco (ITA), Co-Founder, zhero.net; CEO TES
Andersson, Magdalena (SWE), Leader, Social Democratic Party
Applebaum, Anne (USA), Staff Writer, The Atlantic
Attal, Gabriel (FRA), Former Prime Minister
Auchincloss, Murray (CAN), CEO, BP plc
Baker, James H. (USA), Former Director, Office of Net Assessment, Department of Defense
Barbizet, Patricia (FRA), Chair and CEO, Temaris & Associés SAS
Barroso, José Manuel (PRT), Chair International Advisors, Goldman Sachs International
Baudson, Valérie (FRA), CEO, Amundi SA
Beleza, Leonor (PRT), President, Champalimaud Foundation
Birol, Fatih (INT), Executive Director, International Energy Agency
Botín, Ana (ESP), Group Executive Chair, Banco Santander SA
Bourla, Albert (USA), Chair and CEO, Pfizer Inc.
Brende, Børge (NOR), President, World Economic Forum
Brunner, Magnus (INT), European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration
Brzoska, Rafal (POL), CEO, InPost SA
Busch, Ebba (SWE), Minister for Energy, Business and Industry
Caine, Patrice (FRA), Chair & CEO, Thales Group
Calviño, Nadia (INT), President, European Investment Bank
Castries, Henri de (FRA), President, Institut Montaigne
Chambers, Jack (IRL), Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Reform and Digitalisation
Champagne, François-Philippe (CAN), Minister of Finance and National Revenue
Clark, Jack (USA), Co-Founder & Head of Policy, Anthropic PBC
Crawford, Kate (USA), Professor and Senior Principal Researcher, USC and Microsoft Research
Donahue, Christopher (USA), Commander, US Army Europe and Africa
Donohoe, Paschal (INT), President, Eurogroup; Minister of Finance
Döpfner, Mathias (DEU), Chair and CEO, Axel Springer SE
Eberstadt, Nicholas N. (USA), Henry Wendt Scholar in Political Economy, AEI
Ek, Daniel (SWE), CEO, Spotify SA
Ekholm, Börje (SWE), CEO, Ericsson Group
Eriksen, Øyvind (NOR), President and CEO, Aker ASA
Feltri, Stefano (ITA), Journalist
Fentener van Vlissingen, Annemiek (NLD), Chair, SHV Holdings NV
Fraser, Jane (USA), CEO, Citigroup
Freeland, Chrystia (CAN), Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
Friedman, Thomas L. (USA), Foreign Affairs Columnist, The New York Times
Gabuev, Alexander (INT), Director, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
Hammer, Kristina (AUT), President, Salzburg Festival
Harrington, Kevin (USA), Senior Director for Strategic Planning, NSC
Hassabis, Demis (GBR), Co-Founder and CEO, Google DeepMind
Hedegaard, Connie (DNK), Chair, KR Foundation
Heinrichs, Rebeccah (USA), Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
Heraty, Anne (IRL), Chair, Sherry Fitzgerald ana IBEC
Herlin, Jussi (FIN), Vice Chair, KONE Corporation
Hernández de Cos, Pablo (ESP), General Manager Elect, Bank for International Settlements
Hobson, Mellody (USA), Co-CEO and President, Ariel Investments LLC
Hoekstra, Wopke (INT), European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth
Hunt, Jeremy (GBR), Member of Parliament
Isla, Pablo (ESP), Vice-Chair, Nestlé SA
Johansson, Micael (SWE), President and CEO, Saab AB
Jonsson, Conni (SWE), Founder and Chair, EQT Group
Karp, Alex (USA), CEO, Palantir Technologies Inc.
Klingbeil, Lars (DEU), Vice-Chancellor; Minister of Finance
Klöckner, Julia (DEU), President Bundestag
Kostrzewa, Wojciech (POL), President, Polish Business Roundtable
Kotkin, Stephen (USA), Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Kratsios, Michael (USA), Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Kravis, Henry R. (USA), Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chair, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
Kudelski, André (CHE), Chair and CEO, Kudelski Group SA
Kuleba, Dmytro (UKR), Adjunct Professor, Sciences Po
Leeuwen, Geoffrey van (INT), Director Private Office of the Secretary General, NATO
Lemierre, Jean (FRA), Chair, BNP Paribas
Letta, Enrico (ITA), Dean, IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs
Leysen, Thomas (BEL), Chair, dsm-firmenich AG
Lighthizer, Robert (USA), Chair, Center for American Trade
Liikanen, Erkki (FIN), Chair, IFRS Foundation Trustees
Lundstedt, Martin (SWE), CEO, Volvo Group
Marin, Sanna (FIN), Strategic Counsellor, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
McGrath, Michael (INT), European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law
Mensch, Arthur (FRA), Co-Founder and CEO, Mistral AI
Micklethwait, John (USA), Editor-in-Chief, Bloomberg LP
Minton Beddoes, Zanny (GBR), Editor-in-Chief, The Economist
Mitsotakis, Kyriakos (GRC), Prime Minister
Monti, Mario (ITA), Senator for life
Moore, Richard (GBR), Chief, Secret Intelligence Service
Nadella, Satya (USA), CEO, Microsoft Corporation
Netherlands, H.M. the King of the (NLD),
O’Leary, Michael (IRL), Group CEO, Ryanair Group
Ollongren, Kajsa (NLD), Fellow, Chatham House; Senior Fellow, GLOBSEC
Özyeğin, Murat (TUR), Chair, Fiba Group
Papalexopoulos, Dimitri (GRC), Chair, TITAN S.A.
Paparo, Samuel (USA), Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command
Philippe, Édouard (FRA), Mayor, Le Havre
Pouyanné, Patrick (FRA), Chair and CEO, TotalEnergies SE
Prokopenko, Alexandra (INT), Fellow, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
Rachman, Gideon (GBR), Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator, Financial Times
Rappard, Rolly van (NLD), Co-Founder and Chair, CVC Capital Partners
Reiche, Katherina (DEU), Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy
Ringstad Vartdal, Birgitte (NOR), CEO, Statkraft AS
Roche, Nicolas (FRA), Secretary General, General Secretariat for Defence and National Security
Rutte, Mark (INT), Secretary General, NATO
Salvi, Diogo (PRT), Co-Founder and CEO, TIMWE
Sawers, John (GBR), Executive Chair, Newbridge Advisory Ltd.
Scherf, Gundbert (DEU), Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Helsing GmbH
Schimpf, Brian (USA), Co-Founder & CEO, Anduril Industries
Schmidt, Eric E. (USA), Executive Chair and CEO, Relativity Space Inc
Schmidt, Wolfgang (DEU), Former Federal Minister for Special Tasks, Head of the Chancellery
Šefčovič, Maroš (INT), European Commissioner Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency
Sewing, Christian (DEU), CEO, Deutsche Bank AG
Sikorski, Radoslaw (POL), Minister of Foreign Affairs
Şimşek, Mehmet (TUR), Minister of Finance
Smith, Jason (USA), Member of Congress
Stoltenberg, Jens (NOR), Minister of Finance
Streeting, Wes (GBR), Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Stubb, Alexander (FIN), President of the Republic
Suleyman, Mustafa (USA), CEO, Microsoft AI
Summers, Lawrence (USA), Charles W. Eliot University Professor, Harvard University
Thiel, Peter (USA), President, Thiel Capital LLC
Toulemon, Laurent (FRA), Senior Researcher, INED
Uggla, Robert (DNK), Chair, A.P. Møller-Maersk A/S
Valentini, Valentino (ITA), Deputy Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy
Vassy, Luis (FRA), Director, Sciences Po
Verhoeven, Karel (BEL), Editor-in-Chief, De Standaard
Wallenberg, Jacob (SWE), Chair, Investor AB
Wallenberg, Marcus (SWE), Chair, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB
Weder di Mauro, Beatrice (CHE), President, Centre for Economic Policy Research
Weel, David van (NLD), Minister of Justice and Security
Wilmès, Sophie (INT), Vice-President, European Parliament
Zakaria, Fareed (USA), Host, Fareed Zakaria GPS
Zeiler, Gerhard (AUT), President, Warner Bros. Discovery International

INT is used instead of the country code to indicate that a participant represents an international organization or has a cross-border role.

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/swedish-government-seeks-expanded-powers-during-emergencies/

Sweden

Swedish government seeks expanded powers during emergencies

Totalitarianism

Published 11 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Gunnar Strömmer (M) promises that "in practice, Parliament always has the last word".
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The Swedish government wants to have more power to act quickly in serious crises during peacetime – without having to wait for approval from parliament.

The proposal has been met with strong criticism from several sides, with people warning that it paves the way for abuse of power and risks undermining democratic principles.

A new bill proposes constitutional amendments that would allow decisions on temporary measures in situations such as cyberattacks, natural disasters, or terrorist attacks.

The proposed changes to the constitution are said to be aimed at enabling the government to act more quickly in crises, even in peacetime.

By delegating special powers from the Riksdag, the government will be able to issue temporary regulations that are valid for up to three months. However, these may not change or repeal the constitution.

– The government needs the right tools to govern the country, Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M) states.

Spread of infection and cyber attacks

In particularly urgent cases, the government will be able to take a so-called activation decision – a form of state of emergency – to take immediate action without the prior approval of the Riksdag. This is said to be relevant in events such as:

• Nuclear accidents

• Natural disasters

• Extensive spread of infectious diseases

• Terrorist attacks

• Major financial crises

• Extensive IT disruptions or cyberattacks

The government itself claims that the reform is necessary to protect society and safeguard democratic governance in emergency situations where crucial decisions must be made very quickly.

“Ensures separation of powers”

However, several organizations, including LO, the Swedish Union of Journalists, and the Stockholm District Court, have sharply criticized the proposal. The Swedish Union of Journalists warns that a future authoritarian government could use these powers to implement changes without the support of the Riksdag, which in practice risks undermining democracy.

To limit the risks, the government claims that it will only be able to use these powers if it is clear that the Riksdag’s decision cannot be delayed.

An activation decision must also be approved retrospectively by a three-quarters majority in the Riksdag. If regulations are not submitted to parliament within a week or approved within a month, they cease to apply immediately, it is stated.

– This ensures the separation of powers and reduces the scope for a government with more despotic ambitions to take liberties, argues Gunnar Strömmer.

– In practice, the Riksdag always has the final say, he assures us.

Concerns about abuse

The bill also contains proposals to allow the Riksdag to meet in locations other than Stockholm in the event of serious crises. In addition, digital meetings will be made possible to ensure that the Riksdag can function even under extreme conditions.

The legislative changes, which are proposed to come into force on January 1, 2027, are based on a report supported by seven of the eight parties in parliament.

Despite broad political support, the proposal has raised concerns among critics. On social media, many warn that the changes could reduce the influence of the people even more than today and lead to abuse of power, as well as being misused to introduce various totalitarian and repressive measures.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/despite-promises-sweden-grants-second-highest-eu-citizenships-per-capita/

Sweden

Despite promises – Sweden grants second-highest EU citizenships per capita

Population replacement in the West

Published 10 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Stock image - Syrian migrants.
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Sweden continues to stand out as one of Europe’s most borderless and generous countries when it comes to granting citizenship to migrants.

According to recent Eurostat statistics, Sweden grants the most citizenships per capita in the EU, apart from tiny Luxembourg. This is despite the ruling coalition parties (Tidö) promising a “paradigm shift” in immigration policy.

In 2023, Spain granted the most citizenships in absolute terms, with over 240,000 new passports, followed by Italy (214,000) and Germany (200,000). But when the numbers are put in relation to the size of the population, the picture changes dramatically.

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, with a population of just 680 000, tops the list with 8.8 citizenships per thousand inhabitants, followed by Sweden in second place with 6.4. Spain comes third with 5.0, and Italy drops to fifth place with 3.6.

Sweden also stands out in naturalization rates – the percentage of foreign nationals living in the country who are granted citizenship. At 7.9%, Sweden topped the EU in 2023, meaning that almost eight out of every hundred foreign nationals in the country became Swedish citizens. Romania followed with 5.9% and Italy with 4.1%. The EU average, by comparison, was 2.6%.

It is worth noting that the Tidö parties campaigned on a tougher immigration policy and have promised to tighten citizenship rules, including extending the period of residence from the current five years to at least eight years, as well as introducing requirements for Swedish language skills and a declaration of loyalty. Despite this, 66,000 citizenships were granted in 2024, according to the Migration Agency, only a marginal decrease from 68,000 the year before.

Internal frustration

The lack of concrete measures to stop mass migration has led many Sweden Democrats to react with frustration – even high-ranking ones.

Last November, for example, Member of Parliament Josef Fransson called for a moratorium on citizenship in a written question to the government, stating that “despite the mandate we received from the voters, Sweden continues to hand out citizenship generously to foreigners who do not meet the requirements stipulated in the Tidö Agreement“.

He pointed out that the number of new citizenships granted during the Moderate-led government’s rule in 2023 corresponded to the entire population of Skövde.

Questions about the Moderates’ intentions

In January 2025, the report “Stricter requirements for Swedish citizenship” was presented, proposing a longer period of residence and requirements for self-sufficiency. However, the reforms are not expected to enter into force until June 1, 2026, which means that Sweden will continue to follow the current more generous rules until then.

However, many observers question what effect the proposed changes will actually have in practice. Critics stress that Sweden continues to experience large-scale mass migration, and that the government should rather focus on ambitious re-immigration programs to tackle immigration-related problems.

Several observers have also questioned whether the Moderates and the other liberal parties in government have any genuine desire to change Sweden’s migration policy course. Critics say it is largely a matter of rhetoric and symbolic gestures – in order to retain power, not lose voters and maintain cooperation with the Sweden Democrats, on whose support the government depends.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Most new citizenships per capita in the EU (2023)

1. Luxembourg – 8.8 (per 1000 inhabitants)

2. Sweden – 6.4

3. Spain – 5.0

4. Belgium – 4.7

5. Italy – 3.6

N

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