2026-06-152025/26:JuU42 · p.1JuUJustice

The Government's legislative proposals

The government's bill on doubled penalties for crimes linked to criminal networks and tougher sentencing scales

What's at stake: The proposal raises penalties for a wide range of offenses and introduces a new rule on doubled penalties for offenses linked to criminal networks, making the definition of 'criminal network' and the proof of such a connection decisive for how harshly individuals are affected - not least people who have themselves been exploited in criminal environments. The proposal also means more people can be held in pre-trial detention for longer.

Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.

What the vote decides

The question is whether the Riksdag should adopt the government's overall bill - with nearly 50 tightened penalty scales, doubled penalties for crimes linked to criminal networks, life imprisonment as a joint sentence for repeated serious offenses, and an expanded presumption for pre-trial detention - or whether the proposal is instead too incoherent and insufficiently worked out to be adopted as designed.

Yes Yes — the committee proposal

The committee notes that the Criminal Code and the sanctions system have not undergone a general review since 1989, and that society has changed markedly since then through a pronounced rise in serious violent crime, increasingly influential organized crime, a culture of silence around testifying or talking to the police, and new opportunities to commit crime as a result of globalization and digitalization. Although the humanitarian values behind the 1989 reform should not be abandoned, the committee shares the government's assessment that the current sentencing system in some cases produces outcomes that do not reflect the seriousness of the crime, and therefore approves the government's overall bill.

No No — the reservations

Reservation 2 (MP)

The reservation (MP) has no principled objection to tougher penalties as such, but argues that the increases now proposed are incoherent, insufficient and in several respects directly flawed - an assessment shared by several major consultation bodies and the Council on Legislation, which described the proposal as rushed. The reservers point in particular to the proposal on doubled penalties for offenses linked to criminal networks, which goes further than the original inquiry's proposal and risks being difficult to apply since it is unclear how a 'criminal network' should be defined and such a connection proven in an individual case - something that could disproportionately harm people who have themselves been exploited in criminal environments, not least girls, women and children, and relatively devalue other serious crime such as domestic violence. They also question whether a new rule is even needed and consider the package of nearly fifty tightened penalty scales insufficiently worked out.

Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.

VSMPCLKDMSD
YesNoAbstainAbsent

What do the votes mean here?

Yes The committee proposal: adopting the government's legislative proposal and rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).

No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 2 by MP.

Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.

What each plan points to — and how the party voted

For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.

PlanVoteConfidenceEvidence
VNoYes 19/1/0/1departs from the planconfidence: mediumderived
SNoYes 105/0/0/1departs from the planconfidence: lowderived
MPown reservationNoNo 0/18/0/0follows the planconfidence: mediumderived
CNoAbstain 0/0/24/0departs from the planconfidence: lowderived
LYesYes 16/0/0/0follows the planconfidence: highexplicit
KDYesYes 19/0/0/0follows the planconfidence: mediumexplicit
MYesYes 66/0/0/0follows the planconfidence: highexplicit
SDYesYes 70/0/0/0follows the planconfidence: mediumderived

Broke with the party line

VJessica Wetterling (V, Västra Götalands läns västra)No — party line: Yes

MPs whose vote differs from their party's majority position in this division. Marked with a dark ring in the chamber view.

Committee proposal

The Riksdag adopts the Government's proposals for 1. Act amending the Penal Code, 2. Act amending the Code of Judicial Procedure, 3. Act amending the Tax Offences Act (1971:69), 4. Act amending the Act (2000:1225) on penalties for smuggling, 5. Act amending the Bribery Offences Act (2007:612), 6. Act amending the Act (2014:307) on penalties for money laundering offences, 7. Act amending the Act (2016:1307) on penalties for market abuse on the securities market, 8. Act amending the Subsidy Offences Act (2025:1267). Thereby, the Riksdag approves Government Bill 2025/26:218 points 1-8 and rejects the motions 2025/26:3027 by Noria Manouchi (M) requests 3, 5 and 6, 2025/26:3229 by Marléne Lund Kopparklint (M), 2025/26:3586 by Teresa Carvalho et al. (S) request 16, 2025/26:4111 by Ulrika Liljeberg et al. (C) requests 3 and 4, 2025/26:4114 by Ulrika Westerlund et al. (MP) request 1 and 2025/26:4121 by Lorena Delgado Varas et al. (-).

Original (Swedish)

Riksdagen antar regeringens förslag till 1. lag om ändring i brottsbalken, 2. lag om ändring i rättegångsbalken, 3. lag om ändring i skattebrottslagen (1971:69), 4. lag om ändring i lagen (2000:1225) om straff för smuggling, 5. lag om ändring i bidragsbrottslagen (2007:612), 6. lag om ändring i lagen (2014:307) om straff för penningtvättsbrott, 7. lag om ändring i lagen (2016:1307) om straff för marknadsmissbruk på värdepappersmarknaden, 8. lag om ändring i subventionsbrottslagen (2025:1267). Därmed bifaller riksdagen proposition 2025/26:218 punkterna 1-8 och avslår motionerna 2025/26:3027 av Noria Manouchi (M) yrkandena 3, 5 och 6, 2025/26:3229 av Marléne Lund Kopparklint (M), 2025/26:3586 av Teresa Carvalho m.fl. (S) yrkande 16, 2025/26:4111 av Ulrika Liljeberg m.fl. (C) yrkandena 3 och 4, 2025/26:4114 av Ulrika Westerlund m.fl. (MP) yrkande 1 och 2025/26:4121 av Lorena Delgado Varas m.fl. (-).

Riksdag decision: The Government wants penalties in a better way to reflect the seriousness of the crime, for the victims' perspective to have greater influence and for public safety to be improved. The Riksdag approved the Government's proposal. The proposal means that the ten-year limit for time-limited sentences is removed nearly 50 criminal penalty scales are enhanced a new regulation of the combined penalty scale in cases of multiple offences is introduced which means that the highest sentence that can be imposed is the highest maximum sentence doubled life imprisonment can be imposed as a joint sentence for certain serious cases of repeated violent and sexual crimes a new sentence enhancement provision is introduced which aims at all crimes that are connected to criminal networks the conditions for detention are expanded to include the crimes of gross violation of a woman's integrity, gross violation of integrity and honor-based oppression. The legislative amendments enter into force on 1 August 2026.

Counter-proposals

Plan vs actual vote

Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.

VVänsterpartietNoYesdeparts from the planderived

The plan concedes that certain sentences may need to be raised but establishes that focus instead must be directed toward preventing children's recruitment into gang crime, and that sentences shall be carefully designed to actually reduce crime.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The plan concedes that certain sentences may need to be raised but establishes that focus instead must be directed toward preventing children's recruitment into gang crime, and that sentences shall be carefully designed to actually reduce crime. The counter-proposal's criticism of a disjointed package and of double sentences linked to poorly-defined criminal networks, which risk harming exploited girls and children, aligns with this. The plan explicitly warns against repression as a substitute for solving the problems.

Original (Swedish)

Planen medger att vissa straff kan behöva höjas men slår fast att fokus i stället måste riktas mot att förhindra rekryteringen av barn till gängkriminalitet, och att påföljder ska vara noggrant utformade för att faktiskt sänka brottsligheten. Motförslagets kritik mot ett osammanhängande paket och mot dubbla straff kopplade till svårdefinierade kriminella nätverk, som riskerar att drabba utnyttjade flickor och barn, ligger i linje med detta. Planen varnar uttryckligen för repression som ersättning för att lösa problemen.

  • prevention before sentence increasesdecisive»Vissa straff kan behöva höjas men mycket mer fokus måste riktas mot att förhindra rekryteringen av nya barn till gängkriminalitet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Certain sentences may need to be raised but much more focus must be directed toward preventing recruitment of new children into gang crime.”
  • carefully designed sentences»Straff och andra påföljder för brott behöver vara noggrant« (party programme ↗)“Sentences and other penalties for crime need to be carefully”
  • against repression as solution»Alltför ofta lyfts repression och hårdare tag upp som lösningar istället för att ta itu med problemen på allvar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Too often repression and tough action are presented as solutions instead of taking problems seriously.”
  • legal security in criminal law»anses oskyldiga tills motsatsen är bevisad är grundläggande i det.« (party programme ↗)“are considered innocent until the contrary is proven is fundamental in that.”

The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.

SSocialdemokraternaNoYesdeparts from the planderived

The plan requires a criminal policy built on evidence, effectiveness and rule of law and that sentences stand in parity with the seriousness of the crimes.

Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The plan requires a criminal policy built on evidence, effectiveness and rule of law and that sentences stand in parity with the seriousness of the crimes. A schematic doubling for crimes linked to poorly defined criminal networks, which risks affecting exploited women and children and relatively downgrading violence in close relationships, runs counter to both demands. The plan wants simultaneously to toughen sentences for gang-related crime, which makes the assessment uncertain.

Original (Swedish)

Planen kräver en kriminalpolitik byggd på evidens, effektivitet och rättssäkerhet och att straffen står i paritet med brottens allvar. En schablonartad fördubbling för brott kopplade till svårdefinierade kriminella nätverk, som riskerar att träffa utnyttjade kvinnor och barn och relativt sett nedvärdera våld i nära relationer, går emot båda kraven. Planen vill samtidigt skärpa straffen för gängrelaterad brottslighet, vilket gör bedömningen osäker.

  • evidence-based criminal policydecisive»Kriminalpolitik byggd på evidens, effektivitet och rättssäkerhet.« (party programme ↗)“Criminal policy built on evidence, effectiveness and rule of law.”
  • proportionate sentences»Straff i paritet med brottens allvar.« (party programme ↗)“Sentences in parity with the seriousness of crimes.”
  • prioritised violence in close relationships»Kraftfullt bekämpande av mäns våld mot kvinnor, våld i nära relationer samt stöd till« (party programme ↗)“Forceful combating of men's violence against women, violence in close relationships and support for”
  • toughened gang sentences»Vi vill skärpa straffen bland annat för gängrelaterad brottslighet, för den som begår upprepade och allvarliga brott och för den som understödjer organiserad kriminalitet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to toughen sentences in particular for gang-related crime, for those who commit repeated and serious crimes and for those who support organised crime.”

The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.

MPMiljöpartietNoNofollows the planderived

The counter-proposal rejects the punishment package as incoherent and warns particularly about double sentences for connection to criminal networks, which risk affecting exploited women and children and relatively downgrade violence in intimate relationships.

Plan documents: party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The counter-proposal rejects the punishment package as incoherent and warns particularly about double sentences for connection to criminal networks, which risk affecting exploited women and children and relatively downgrade violence in intimate relationships. The plan puts preventive work first, requires that new legislation be carefully tested against legal certainty and wants conditional release sentences to be used as the first choice for minor crimes. It also raises violence in intimate relationships as a serious threat.

Original (Swedish)

Motförslaget underkänner straffpaketet som osammanhängande och varnar särskilt för dubbla straff vid koppling till kriminella nätverk, som riskerar att träffa utnyttjade kvinnor och barn och relativt nedvärdera våld i nära relationer. Planen sätter förebyggande arbete främst, kräver att ny lagstiftning prövas noggrant mot rättssäkerheten och vill att frivårdspåföljder används som förstahandsval vid lindrigare brott. Den lyfter också våld i nära relationer som ett allvarligt hot.

  • prevention before increased punishmentdecisive»Miljöpartiet vill bygga ett samhälle där ingen dras in i kriminalitet – där barn får växa upp« (party programme ↗)“The Green Party wants to build a society where no one is drawn into crime – where children can grow up”
  • legally secure legislation»prövas noggrant utifrån rättssäkerhet och grundläggande fri- och rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“be carefully tested on the basis of legal certainty and fundamental freedoms and rights.”
  • conditional release as first choice»Frivårdspåföljder ska användas som förstahandsval vid lindrigare brott. Villkorlig« (party programme ↗)“Conditional release sentences shall be used as the first choice for minor crimes. Conditional”
  • violence in intimate relationships should be prioritized»organiserad brottslighet, stöldligor, sexualbrott, våld i nära relationer och mäns våld mot« (party programme ↗)“organized crime, theft rings, sexual crimes, violence in intimate relationships and men's violence against”
CCenterpartietNoAbstaindeparts from the planderived

The election manifesto explicitly rejects collective punishment and reversed burden of proof, and a doubled sentencing scale hanging on an unclear definition of criminal network lies close to just that.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The election manifesto explicitly rejects collective punishment and reversed burden of proof, and a doubled sentencing scale hanging on an unclear definition of criminal network lies close to just that. The plan also prioritizes increased sentences for serious domestic violence, which speaks against a reform that relatively devalues violence in intimate relationships. At the same time, the plan wants stricter sentences against gangs, which pulls in the opposite direction and makes the assessment uncertain.

Original (Swedish)

Valmanifestet säger uttryckligen nej till kollektiv bestraffning och omvänd bevisbörda, och en dubblerad straffskala som hänger på en oklar definition av kriminellt nätverk ligger nära just det. Planen prioriterar dessutom höjda straff för grov kvinnofridskränkning, vilket talar mot en reform som relativt sett nedvärderar våld i nära relationer. Samtidigt vill planen se strängare straff mot gängen, vilket drar åt motsatt håll och gör bedömningen osäker.

  • no to collective punishmentdecisive»Rättsstaten och individens rättigheter gentemot staten måste försvaras. Vi säger därför nej till visitationszoner, kollektiv bestraffning, omvänd bevisbörda, anonyma vittnen, preventiv avlyssning och inskränkningar av religionsfriheten.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The rule of law and the individual's rights against the state must be defended. We therefore say no to search zones, collective punishment, reversed burden of proof, anonymous witnesses, preventive surveillance and restrictions on religious freedom.”
  • increased sentences for violence against women»Män som slår ska inte komma undan. Vi vill höja straffen för sexualbrott, grov fridskränkning och grov kvinnofridskränkning.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Men who hit must not get away with it. We want to increase sentences for sexual offences, serious assault and serious domestic violence.”
  • stricter sentences against gangs»Samhället ska inte vika sig för gängen. För att besegra dem krävs bättre insatser som förebygger nyrekrytering, mer resurser till polis, åklagare, domstolar och kriminalvården och strängare straff.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Society must not give in to gangs. To defeat them requires better preventive measures, more resources for police, prosecutors, courts and prisons and stricter sentences.”
  • both prevent and deter»Kriminalpolitiken ska därför både förebygga och avskräcka från brott, stödja brottsdrabbade och stimulera dem som har begått olagliga handlingar till en ny livssituation utan brottslighet.« (party programme ↗)“Criminal policy should therefore both prevent and deter crime, support crime victims and encourage those who have committed illegal acts to move towards a new life without crime.”

The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.

LLiberalernaYesYesfollows the planexplicit

The plan explicitly requires stricter sentences for recidivism and participation in organized crime, abolition of sentence reductions, elimination of automatic release from prison, and keeping lifestyle criminals incarcerated.

Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The plan explicitly requires stricter sentences for recidivism and participation in organized crime, abolition of sentence reductions, elimination of automatic release from prison, and keeping lifestyle criminals incarcerated. A package with enhanced sentence scales, a common sentence scale, and sentence enhancements for crimes linked to criminal networks is exactly the policy the plan seeks. The counter-proposal's objections to implementing the package therefore conflict with the plan.

Original (Swedish)

Planen kräver uttryckligen strängare straff vid återfall och vid medverkan i organiserad brottslighet, avskaffad mängdrabatt, slopad automatisk frigivning och att livsstilskriminella hålls inlåsta. Ett paket med skärpta straffskalor, gemensam straffskala och straffskärpning för brott kopplade till kriminella nätverk är just den politik planen efterlyser. Motförslagets invändningar mot att genomföra paketet strider därför mot planen.

  • stricter sentences for organized crimedecisive»Återfall och upprepad brottslighet ska ge strängare straff, liksom medverkan i organiserad brottslighet.« (party programme ↗)“Recidivism and repeated crime shall result in stricter sentences, as shall participation in organized crime.”
  • enhanced sentences»Vi vill avskaffa dagens mängdrabatt på brott, slopa den närmast automatiska frigivningen från fängelsestraff och skärpa straffen för bland annat vapenbrott, våldtäkt och utpressning.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to abolish today's sentence reductions on crimes, eliminate the near-automatic release from prison sentences and strengthen sentences for, among other things, weapons offences, rape and extortion.”
  • lifestyle criminals incarcerated»Livsstilskriminella ska hållas inlåsta i stället för att släppas ut på våra gator.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Lifestyle criminals shall be kept incarcerated instead of being released onto our streets.”
  • prevention alongside punishment»En socialliberal rättspolitik förenar brottsbekämpning med ett brett förebyggande arbete samt med en kriminalvård som ger individen förutsättningar att bryta med en kriminell livsstil.« (party programme ↗)“A social liberal criminal justice policy combines crime prevention with broad preventive work and criminal care that gives the individual the conditions to break with a criminal lifestyle.”
KDKristdemokraternaYesYesfollows the planexplicit

The election manifesto demands sharply increased penalties, including for weapon crimes and sexual crimes, and an expansion of the entire justice system to meet gang crime.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The election manifesto demands sharply increased penalties, including for weapon crimes and sexual crimes, and an expansion of the entire justice system to meet gang crime. The counter-proposal wants to stop or strongly question the penalty increase package, particularly the increase for crimes linked to criminal networks. This stands against the plan's explicit requirement that penalties shall deter and protect society.

Original (Swedish)

Valmanifestet kräver kraftigt skärpta straff, bland annat för vapenbrott och sexualbrott, och en utbyggnad av hela rättsväsendet för att möta gängbrottsligheten. Motförslaget vill stoppa eller kraftigt ifrågasätta straffskärpningspaketet, särskilt skärpningen för brott kopplade till kriminella nätverk. Det står emot planens uttryckliga krav på att straffen ska avskräcka och skydda samhället.

  • increased penalties for weapon crimesdecisive»Skärp straffet för vapenbrott till lägst fem års fängelse.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase the penalty for weapon crimes to at least five years imprisonment.”
  • sharply increased penalties»Skärp straffen för sexualbrott kraftigt. 25 års fängelse för grov våldtäkt, kemisk kastrering som villkor för villkorlig frigivning och livstids fängelse för grov våldtäkt mot barn.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sharply increase penalties for sexual crimes. 25 years imprisonment for aggravated rape, chemical castration as a condition for conditional release and life imprisonment for aggravated rape of children.”
  • expanded justice system»Hela rättsväsendet behöver byggas ut. Fler poliser kräver fler åklagare, domstolar på fler platser i landet och en kraftigt utbyggd kriminalvård.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The entire justice system needs to be expanded. More police require more prosecutors, courts in more places in the country and a substantially expanded criminal justice system.”
  • punishment shall deter and protect»avskräcka andra från liknande handlingar samt skydda samhället mot övergrepp och andra« (party programme ↗)“deter others from similar actions and protect society from abuse and other”
MModeraternaYesYesfollows the planexplicit

The plan explicitly promises double sentences for gang criminals, substantial sentence increases for reoffending and a new criminal code that shifts focus from perpetrator to crime victim.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The plan explicitly promises double sentences for gang criminals, substantial sentence increases for reoffending and a new criminal code that shifts focus from perpetrator to crime victim. The counter-proposal directs its sharpest criticism at precisely the increase for crimes linked to criminal networks and argues that the package is insufficiently worked through. That is in conflict with the plan's stated commitments and is rejected.

Original (Swedish)

Planen lovar uttryckligen dubbla straff för gängkriminella, kraftiga straffskärpningar vid återfall och en ny brottsbalk som flyttar fokus från gärningsman till brottsoffer. Motförslaget riktar sin skarpaste kritik mot just skärpningen för brott kopplade till kriminella nätverk och menar att paketet är otillräckligt genomarbetat. Det står i strid med planens uttalade åtaganden och avvisas.

  • double sentences for gang criminalsdecisive»Införa dubbla straff för gängkriminella« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce double sentences for gang criminals”
  • criminalize gang membership»Göra det straffbart att vara med i ett kriminellt gäng« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Make it criminal to be a member of a criminal gang”
  • increases for reoffending»Införa ett system med kraftiga straffskärpningar vid återfall« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce a system with substantial sentence increases for reoffending”
  • new criminal code with crime victim focus»Införa en ny brottsbalk för att skifta fokus från gärningsmannen till brottsoffer« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce a new criminal code to shift focus from perpetrator to crime victim”
SDSverigedemokraternaYesYesfollows the planderived

The plan demands significantly increased sentences and states that few measures are too far-reaching when it comes to pushing back criminal gangs, and that those who commit crimes in a gang environment shall be able to be sentenced to especially long sentences.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The plan demands significantly increased sentences and states that few measures are too far-reaching when it comes to pushing back criminal gangs, and that those who commit crimes in a gang environment shall be able to be sentenced to especially long sentences. The counter-proposal is directed especially against the sentence increase for crimes linked to criminal networks and does not wish the package to be implemented in this form. It goes against the plan's central criminal policy commitment.

Original (Swedish)

Planen kräver kraftigt höjda straff och slår fast att få åtgärder är för långtgående när det gäller att pressa tillbaka de kriminella gängen, samt att den som begår brott i gängmiljö ska kunna dömas till särskilt långa straff. Motförslaget riktar sig särskilt mot straffskärpningen för brott kopplade till kriminella nätverk och vill inte att paketet genomförs i denna form. Det går emot planens centrala kriminalpolitiska åtagande.

  • harder sentences for gang criminalsdecisive»Kraftigt höja straffen för gängkriminella« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Significantly increase sentences for gang criminals.”
  • especially long sentences in gang environment»Den som finns i gängmiljö och begår brott ska kunna dömas till särskilt långa fängelsestraff eller förvaring på obestämd tid.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Those found in a gang environment and who commit crimes shall be able to be sentenced to especially long prison sentences or preventive detention of indefinite length.”
  • significantly increased sentences»Kraftigt höja straffen samt avskaffa mängdrabatten vid allvarliga brott mot person« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Significantly increase sentences and abolish the quantity discount for serious crimes against person.”
  • uncompromising stance against gangs»Sverigedemokraterna anser att få politiska åtgärder är för långtgående när det kommer till att pressa tillbaka både de kriminella gängen och den kultur som gör att de får fäste.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden Democrats believe that few political measures are too far-reaching when it comes to pushing back both criminal gangs and the culture that enables them to gain foothold.”

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Sources and documents

Documents under consideration

Source: The Swedish Parliament