Social Democrats leader Magdalena Andersson accuses Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of declining a meeting on a long-term plan against gang violence. The Moderates deny this, stating no one has refused any meeting. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer criticizes Andersson for political maneuvering.
Magdalena Andersson, leader of the Social Democrats, posted on Facebook describing how she invited Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to a meeting to discuss a long-term strategy against gang crime. She wrote: “Now I’ve been informed that Ulf Kristersson is saying no to such a meeting. I expected more from him. Gang violence needs to be met with the combined power of society and that requires leadership from the prime minister.”
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M) responded promptly, denying the accusation. In a comment, he wrote: “The prime minister and I always seek broad agreements - no one has said no to any meeting. Magdalena Andersson focuses on political games because she doesn’t want to talk about how her own government base threatens the offensive against the gangs.” Strömmer referred to a meeting he initiated earlier on Wednesday morning, to which all parties were invited. He argued this was better, as the Left Party and Green Party, part of the Social Democrats' former government base, had voted against many of his proposed reforms during the term. “During the term, large parts of Magdalena Andersson's government base have voted no to many of the reforms I have proposed,” Strömmer said. He expressed willingness to cooperate with all parties that “jump on the train.”
The background is Andersson's December proposal for a ten-year pact with the Moderates to combat gang crime through a long-term reform agenda and cross-block agreement, similar to defense policy. The Sweden Democrats have also commented, posting on X: “Magdalena Andersson wants to sit in meetings. We deport and imprison the gangs. All of them. Why doesn’t S want that?”
This dispute highlights the political tensions surrounding how Sweden should address rising gang violence, with differing views on collaboration and priorities.
