2025-06-102024/25:UU10 · p.7UUForeign affairs
Bilateral and regional relations
EU enlargement, support for Ukraine, and regional relations with neighbouring countries
What's at stake: How the EU and Sweden act affects the pace of Ukraine's and other candidate countries' path towards membership, the protection of women in countries that withdraw from international conventions on violence, and the scope for democratic forces in Russia to operate. It therefore concerns security, human rights and Sweden's role in its neighbourhood.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question concerns the overall direction of the EU's bilateral and regional relations, including support for Ukraine's reform and EU-accession process, and whether parliament should additionally specifically call on the government to push for Turkey to rejoin the Council of Europe convention on violence against women and for expanded cooperation with Russian civil society, or whether these issues are already sufficiently addressed within existing foreign policy work.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee notes that support for Ukraine is Sweden's top foreign policy priority and that the EU's continued enlargement and cooperation with partners in its neighbourhood is of great security and economic importance, as a geostrategic investment in peace, democracy, security, stability and prosperity. The committee notes that Ukraine's EU accession negotiations have formally begun, that EU member states have stated that cooperation with and support for Ukraine's reform work will continue so that cluster openings can happen as soon as possible for both Ukraine and Moldova, and that Sweden's position is to work for a just and sustainable peace grounded in international law, with Ukraine itself deciding when and on what terms to negotiate with Russia. The committee also notes that the Eastern Partnership has been a successful regional cooperation format with six partner countries since it started, and that the framework is now developing further in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 13 (V)
The reservation (V) calls for the government, both within EU cooperation and in direct contacts with Turkey, to work for the country to rejoin the Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention against violence against women, and for Sweden to take a more active role in expanding people-to-people cooperation with Russia around the Baltic Sea, including through a special mandate for the Swedish Institute to promote a security community and democratic development there. The reasoning is that Turkey's withdrawal from the convention risks prompting other countries to follow suit, which could increase violence against women, girls and women's organisations already living under repression, and that support for the Russian peace and democracy movement is important in the longer term.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 13 by V.
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.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/21/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| S | No | Yes 93/0/0/13 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | Abstain 0/0/14/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| C | No | Abstain 0/0/17/7 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 15/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| M | Yes | Yes 60/0/0/8 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| SD | Yes | Abstain 0/0/60/12 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
Parliament rejects the motions 2024/25:1429 by Markus Wiechel et al. (SD) motion 3, 2024/25:3038 by Daniel Helldén et al. (MP) motion 71, 2024/25:3162 by Kerstin Lundgren et al. (C) motions 8, 25 and 26, and 2024/25:3355 by Håkan Svenneling et al. (V) motions 2 and 12.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:1429 av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD) yrkande 3, 2024/25:3038 av Daniel Helldén m.fl. (MP) yrkande 71, 2024/25:3162 av Kerstin Lundgren m.fl. (C) yrkandena 8, 25 och 26 samt 2024/25:3355 av Håkan Svenneling m.fl. (V) yrkandena 2 och 12.
Riksdag decision: The Government has reported to Parliament on activities in the EU in 2024. The report addresses decisions and events in the Union and presents the breadth of the Union's matters based on work in the various ministerial councils. It has been 30 years since Sweden joined the EU. Parliament notes that a strong EU gives Europe strength and Sweden a stronger voice in global matters. The year has been marked by a difficult international situation, with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and an escalated conflict in the Middle East. Continued strong economic, military, political and humanitarian support to Ukraine and expanded sanctions against Russia have permeated the EU's political agenda. Rule of law (rättsstatsfrågor) matters remain high on the EU's agenda. Parliament emphasizes the importance of prioritizing these matters and that EU cooperation's fundamental values—freedom, democracy, equality and the principles of the rule of law—must be respected by the member states. Parliament filed the report away (lade skrivelsen till handlingarna), that is, concluded the matter.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the EU to introduce a feminist budget to reduce gender inequality in income and living conditions. (V) — Reservation 13
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.
The plan requires that work against men's violence against women be prioritized at a level corresponding to the extent and seriousness of the crimes, which supports the requirement that Sweden works for Turkey's re-entry into the convention against violence against women.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that work against men's violence against women be prioritized at a level corresponding to the extent and seriousness of the crimes, which supports the requirement that Sweden works for Turkey's re-entry into the convention against violence against women. The plan also stands for de-escalation and international cooperation instead of militarization, which supports the requirement for contacts with democratic forces around the Baltic Sea. According to the plan, Sweden shall be a steady voice for human rights.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att arbetet mot mäns våld mot kvinnor prioriteras i nivå med brottens omfattning och allvar, vilket bär kravet på att Sverige verkar för Turkiets återinträde i konventionen mot våld mot kvinnor. Planen står också för deeskalering och mellanfolkligt samarbete i stället för militarisering, vilket stödjer kravet på kontakter med demokratiska krafter kring Östersjön. Sverige ska enligt planen vara en stadig röst för mänskliga rättigheter.
- prioritized work against men's violencedecisive»våld mot kvinnor behöver börja prioriteras på ett sätt som motsvarar« (party programme ↗)“violence against women needs to start being prioritized in a way that corresponds to”
- strong action against violence against women»I ett tryggt samhälle tar vi krafttag mot våld, hedersförtryck och sexuella kränkningar mot kvinnor, barn och hbtqi-personer.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“In a secure society we take strong action against violence, honour-based oppression, and sexual harassment of women, children, and LGBTQI persons.”
- de-escalation before militarization»och deeskalering. Vi vänder oss emot militarisering och kapprustning.« (party programme ↗)“and de-escalation. We oppose militarization and arms race.”
- voice for human rights»en stadig röst i världen som talar för mänskliga rättigheter, fred och« (party programme ↗)“a steady voice in the world that speaks for human rights, peace, and”
The plan asserts a feminist foreign policy and that girls' and women's rights must be strengthened globally, which supports the demand that Sweden work for Turkey to rejoin the convention against violence against women.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan asserts a feminist foreign policy and that girls' and women's rights must be strengthened globally, which supports the demand that Sweden work for Turkey to rejoin the convention against violence against women. The party programme's commitment to promote democracy and combat oppression in all parts of the world also gives support for transnational support to democratic forces in Russia. The plan does not explicitly address these two issues, hence derived coverage.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast en feministisk utrikespolitik och att flickors och kvinnors rättigheter måste stärkas globalt, vilket bär kravet att Sverige verkar för att Turkiet åter ansluter sig till konventionen mot våld mot kvinnor. Partiprogrammets åtagande att främja demokratin och bekämpa förtryck i alla delar av världen ger också stöd för mellanfolkligt stöd till demokratiska krafter i Ryssland. Planen behandlar inte dessa två frågor uttryckligen, därav härledd täckning.
- feminist foreign policydecisive»Feministisk utrikespolitik med fokus på kvinnors rättigheter, representation och resurser.« (party programme ↗)“Feminist foreign policy focusing on women's rights, representation and resources.”
- women's rights globally»Flickors och kvinnors rättigheter måste stärkas globalt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Girls' and women's rights must be strengthened globally.”
- combat men's violence against women»Kraftfullt bekämpande av mäns våld mot kvinnor, våld i nära relationer samt stöd till utsatta.« (party programme ↗)“Powerful combat of men's violence against women, violence in close relationships and support for those affected.”
- promote democracy everywhere»Den strävar efter en bättre värld genom att värna klimatet, främja demokratin och bekämpa förtryck och ofrihet i alla delar av världen.« (party programme ↗)“It strives for a better world by valuing the climate, promoting democracy and combating oppression and lack of freedom in all parts of the world.”
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.
The plan wants to develop and strengthen a feminist foreign policy and sees men's violence against women as a structural and global problem, which bears the requirement to work for Turkey's re-entry into the convention against violence against women.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to develop and strengthen a feminist foreign policy and sees men's violence against women as a structural and global problem, which bears the requirement to work for Turkey's re-entry into the convention against violence against women. It also wants to invest in preventive and peace-promoting initiatives and support organisations working for democracy, which corresponds to the requirement for international cooperation and support to democratic forces around the Baltic Sea.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill utveckla och förstärka en feministisk utrikespolitik och ser mäns våld mot kvinnor som ett strukturellt och globalt problem, vilket bär kravet att verka för Turkiets återinträde i konventionen mot våld mot kvinnor. Den vill också investera i förebyggande och fredsfrämjande insatser och stödja organisationer som arbetar för demokrati, vilket motsvarar kravet på mellanfolkligt samarbete och stöd till demokratiska krafter kring Östersjön.
- feminist foreign policydecisive»utveckla och förstärka Sveriges feministiska utrikes- och utvecklingspolitik.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“develop and strengthen Sweden's feminist foreign and development policy.”
- global responsibility against men's violence»Mäns våld mot kvinnor är ett strukturellt och globalt problem.« (party programme ↗)“Men's violence against women is a structural and global problem.”
- peace-promoting initiatives»Vi ska satsa på att investera i förebyggande och fredsfrämjande insatser, samt aktörer som arbetar med fredlig konflikthantering.« (party programme ↗)“We shall invest in preventive and peace-promoting initiatives, and actors working with peaceful conflict resolution.”
- support to democratic movements»Organisationer som arbetar för demokrati, mänskliga rättigheter, jämställdhet och hållbar utveckling bör ges stöd genom svenskt utvecklingssamarbete.« (party programme ↗)“Organisations working for democracy, human rights, gender equality and sustainable development should be supported through Swedish development cooperation.”
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.
The plan makes the fight against men's violence against women a main priority and explicitly establishes that violations of women's freedom must never be accepted, regardless of whether they occur in Sweden or in other countries.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes the fight against men's violence against women a main priority and explicitly establishes that violations of women's freedom must never be accepted, regardless of whether they occur in Sweden or in other countries. Working for Turkey to re-enter the convention against violence against women follows directly from that commitment. The party programme's line on peace operations, cooperation and dialogue and on protecting universal freedoms and rights also supports assistance to democratic forces near Russia.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör kampen mot mäns våld mot kvinnor till en huvudprioritering och slår uttryckligen fast att kränkningar av kvinnors frihet aldrig får accepteras, oavsett om de sker i Sverige eller i andra länder. Att verka för att Turkiet återinträder i konventionen mot våld mot kvinnor följer direkt av det åtagandet. Partiprogrammets linje om fredsinsatser, samarbete och dialog samt om att värna universella fri- och rättigheter bär också stödet till demokratiska krafter i Rysslands närhet.
- stop men's violence against womendecisive»Vi ska leda Sverige mot ett slut på mäns våld mot kvinnor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We shall lead Sweden towards an end to men's violence against women.”
- women's rights globally»Det gäller oavsett om det sker i Sverige eller i andra länder, och inte minst när det används som vapen i krig och konflikter.« (party programme ↗)“This applies regardless of whether it occurs in Sweden or in other countries, and especially when it is used as a weapon in war and conflicts.”
- rights guide foreign policy»Utrikes- och säkerhetspolitiken syftar ytterst till att värna universella mänskliga fri- och rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“Foreign and security policy ultimately aims to protect universal human freedoms and rights.”
- dialogue and people-to-people exchange»Dagens internationella ekonomiska beroende ökar betydelsen av fredsinsatser, samarbete och dialog.« (party programme ↗)“Today's international economic interdependence increases the importance of peace operations, cooperation and dialogue.”
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.
The plan makes men's violence against women a prioritized issue and wants Sweden to do much more, both individually and in international cooperation, for freedom and rights – which carries the demand that Turkey re-enters the convention against violence against women.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes men's violence against women a prioritized issue and wants Sweden to do much more, both individually and in international cooperation, for freedom and rights – which carries the demand that Turkey re-enters the convention against violence against women. It also wants Sweden to be a voice for global freedom and support democratic forces in unfree states, and states that information exchange and contacts with the outside world are crucial for these forces. The counter-proposal's both demands thus receive support in the plan, even though the plan's Russia line is otherwise harsh.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör mäns våld mot kvinnor till en prioriterad fråga och vill att Sverige gör mycket mer, både enskilt och i internationella samarbeten, för fri- och rättigheter – vilket bär kravet på att Turkiet återinträder i konventionen mot våld mot kvinnor. Den vill också att Sverige är en röst för global frihet och stöder demokratikrafter i ofria stater, och slår fast att informationsutbyte och kontakter med omvärlden är avgörande för dessa krafter. Motförslagets båda krav får därmed stöd i planen, även om planens Rysslandslinje i övrigt är hård.
- active rights policydecisive»Därför vill vi att Sverige gör mycket mer, både som enskilt land och inom internationella samarbeten, för fri- och rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore, we want Sweden to do much more, both as an individual country and within international cooperation, for freedom and rights”
- stop for men's violence against women»Mäns våld mot kvinnor ska upphöra.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Men's violence against women shall cease.”
- contacts strengthen democratic forces»Informationsutbyte och kontakter med omvärlden är avgörande för demokratikrafterna i världens« (party programme ↗)“Information exchange and contacts with the outside world are crucial for democratic forces in the world's”
- support democratic movements»Sverige ska vara en röst för global frihet och ge stöd åt de modiga människor som verkar för« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be a voice for global freedom and support the brave people who work for”
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.
The plan calls men's violence against women the ultimate expression of lack of gender equality and wants EU cooperation to be used forcefully against abuse targeted at women, which carries the requirement to work for Turkey to rejoin the convention.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan calls men's violence against women the ultimate expression of lack of gender equality and wants EU cooperation to be used forcefully against abuse targeted at women, which carries the requirement to work for Turkey to rejoin the convention. Bilateral human rights dialogues and positive instruments are the plan's preferred method, which also covers support for democratic forces. The demand for expanded cooperation with Russia is harder to reconcile with the plan's position that aggression must never pay off, which makes the conclusion uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kallar mäns våld mot kvinnor det yttersta uttrycket för brist på jämställdhet och vill att EU-samarbetet med kraft används mot övergrepp riktade mot kvinnor, vilket bär kravet på att verka för att Turkiet återinträder i konventionen. Bilaterala MR-dialoger och positiva verkningsmedel är planens förstahandsmetod, vilket också täcker stödet till demokratiska krafter. Kravet på utökat samarbete med Ryssland är svårare att förena med planens hållning att aggression aldrig får löna sig, vilket gör slutsatsen osäker.
- men's violence against women is combateddecisive»Mäns våld mot kvinnor är det yttersta uttrycket för« (party programme ↗)“Men's violence against women is the ultimate expression of”
- EU against abuse of women»EU ska nyttjas för att med kraft motarbeta den sexualiserade slavhandeln med kvinnor och barn.« (party programme ↗)“The EU shall be used to forcefully combat human trafficking of women and children.”
- bilateral human rights dialogue»En dialog om mänskliga rättigheter bör även föras« (party programme ↗)“A dialogue on human rights should also be conducted”
- support for democratic development»och demokrati kan effektivt bidra till att stabilisera nyblivna men ännu svaga demokratier.« (party programme ↗)“and democracy can effectively contribute to stabilizing newly established but still weak democracies.”
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.
The counter-proposal's heaviest demand is a special commission to promote expanded intergovernmental cooperation with Russia around the Baltic Sea.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal's heaviest demand is a special commission to promote expanded intergovernmental cooperation with Russia around the Baltic Sea. The plan starts from the premise that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has created the most serious security policy crisis since the Second World War and that Russia is on a war footing, which argues against Sweden taking a more active role for cooperation with Russia. The plan's commitment against men's violence against women does, however, support the convention part, but the Russian part is decisive.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslagets tyngsta krav är ett särskilt uppdrag att främja utökat mellanfolkligt samarbete med Ryssland kring Östersjön. Planen utgår från att Rysslands invasion av Ukraina skapat den allvarligaste säkerhetspolitiska krisen sedan andra världskriget och att Ryssland står på krigsfot, vilket talar emot att Sverige tar en aktivare roll för samarbete med Ryssland. Planens åtagande mot mäns våld mot kvinnor stödjer däremot delen om konventionen, men den ryska delen är avgörande.
- Russia as security threatdecisive»Rysslands invasion av Ukraina har skapat den allvarligaste säkerhetspolitiska krisen i Europa sedan andra världskriget.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Russia's invasion of Ukraine has created the most serious security policy crisis in Europe since the Second World War.”
- deterrence ahead of engagement»Samtidigt vet vi att ensam inte är stark när Ryssland än en gång står på krigsfot.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“At the same time we know that alone is not strong when Russia yet again stands on a war footing.”
- combat men's violence against women»Vi ska stoppa mäns våld mot kvinnor« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We shall stop men's violence against women”
- Swedish interests guide policyweak support»Svensk utrikespolitik ska värna svenska intressen.« (party programme ↗)“Swedish foreign policy shall safeguard Swedish interests.”
flags: citat_svagt
The plan requires clear sanctions against Russia and Turkey and that Sweden arms itself in the face of the deteriorated security situation in the surrounding region.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires clear sanctions against Russia and Turkey and that Sweden arms itself in the face of the deteriorated security situation in the surrounding region. The counter-proposal's demand for a more active role for expanded international cooperation with Russia in the Baltic Sea region goes in the opposite direction from that line. The plan prioritizes issues with direct impact on Swedish society over broad influence mandates in the world around it.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver tydliga sanktioner mot Ryssland och Turkiet och att Sverige rustas inför det försämrade säkerhetsläget i närområdet. Motförslagets krav på en aktivare roll för utökat mellanfolkligt samarbete med Ryssland kring Östersjön går i motsatt riktning mot den linjen. Planen prioriterar frågor med direkt påverkan på det svenska samhället framför breda påverkansuppdrag i omvärlden.
- sanctions against Russiadecisive»Sverige bör verka för tydliga sanktioner mot Turkiet, Belarus, Ryssland och andra länder med en negativ utveckling.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden should advocate for clear sanctions against Turkey, Belarus, Russia and other countries with negative developments.”
- sharpened security situation»Rusta Sverige inför en ny säkerhetspolitisk situation i vårt närområde« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Arm Sweden in the face of a new security policy situation in our surrounding region”
- prioritize Swedish impact»En grundläggande utmaning i ett allt mer instabilt närområde är att prioritera frågor som kan få stor påverkan för det svenska samhället.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“A fundamental challenge in an increasingly unstable surrounding region is to prioritize issues that can have major impact for Swedish society.”
- Swedish interests first»Värna svenska intressen i internationella sammanhang« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Safeguard Swedish interests in international contexts”
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.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:UU10)
- Committee report full text (HC01UU10)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:138 — Turkiets utrikespolitik av Magnus Jacobsson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1429 — Vissa frågor om Kuba av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1432 — Terrorlistning av belarusiska säkerhetsorganisationer av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1433 — Säkerhetspolitik av Aron Emilsson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1438 — Internationella relationer och mänskliga rättigheter av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:22 — Befästningsarbeten längs EU:s östra gräns av Magnus Jacobsson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:25 — Fortsatt stöd till Ukraina av Magnus Jacobsson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:3023 — Försvar och samhällets krisberedskap av Peter Hultqvist m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3030 — Sverigedemokraternas biståndspolitik av Yasmine Eriksson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:3038 — Stärkt beredskap och ett robustare samhälle av Daniel Helldén m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:3107 — Internationell samverkan av Morgan Johansson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3162 — Internationellt samarbete i en utmanande tid av Kerstin Lundgren m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:3355 — med anledning av skr. 2024/25:115 Verksamheten i Europeiska unionen under 2024 av Håkan Svenneling m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:387 — Separat avtal mellan EU och de belarusiska demokratiska krafternas institutioner som en del av det förnyade östliga partnerskapet av Björn Söder och Markus Wiechel (båda SD)
- Motion 2024/25:395 — EU:s avtal med och finansiering av Kubas regim av Björn Söder och Markus Wiechel (båda SD)
- Motion 2024/25:516 — Målsättning att göra EU till renodlad frihandelsunion av Josef Fransson (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:522 — Stöd för ett fritt och demokratiskt Belarus av Magnus Berntsson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:524 — Stöd för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter på Kuba av Magnus Berntsson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:528 — Konfliktmineraler och deras offer av Gudrun Brunegård (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:868 — Sveriges stöd för Ukrainas frihet och vägval mot Europa av Magnus Berntsson (KD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament