Swedish government accused of poor war communication, causing anxiety in children

Former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson lashed out at the government’s communication on Sweden’s readiness for war, accusing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of being divisive towards Swedes with immigrant backgrounds.

At the annual security Folk och Försvar (People and Defence) conference, the message from the Swedish government and the Swedish Commander-in-Chief Micael Bydén was clear: Sweden and its people must prepare for war, a view shared by former Social Democratic prime minister and current opposition leader Magdalena Andersson, albeit to a lesser extent.

“It’s a serious situation, but it’s also important to be clear that war is not on our doorstep. But of course, if Russia wins the war in Ukraine, there is an obvious risk that other countries will be next,” Andersson said.

However, according to her, the Swedish government failed in the way it delivered the message to the population.

“A lot of people are very, very worried. So it’s important for the government to follow up on the communication that’s been going on. This is a big responsibility for the government,” she said.

Rising fears, namely among children

Sweden’s commander-in-chief’s war talk quickly spread and raised fears, especially among younger people, which caught the attention of Sweden’s children’s protection association BRIS (Barnens Rätt i Samhället, Children’s Rights in Society).

“Firstly, there is the question of whether there will be a war. Many children contact us with questions about how to prepare themselves. ‘How? Should I go somewhere, should I go and buy a crank radio?’ We live in an uncertain time, affecting many children,” Magnus Jägerskog, BRIS Secretary General, said.

According to him, the Swedish government’s rhetoric has been too harsh, and the authorities are responsible for providing information to children.

He also pointed out that the armed forces should have discussed how to get the message out to the public, including children with a right to information.

Divisive comments on ‘new Swedes’

Andersson also accused Kristersson of creating divisions with his statement on the relationship between Swedish citizenship and national defence.

“We must also start talking out loud about the expectations that come with Swedish citizenship. Ultimately, it is about defending Sweden, our values and our way of life with weapons in hand – and with your life at stake. Citizenship is not a travel document”, Kristersson said earlier during the People and Defence conference.

According to Andersson, Kristersson suggested that the newest Swedish citizens do not have the same willingness to defend themselves as others.

“He had a uniquely divisive message,” Andersson said. “What we need in Sweden now is cohesion, trust, a high level of awareness, but also of course a strong will to defend ourselves. That kind of divisive message takes the country in the opposite direction.”, she added.

The government responded to the criticism with a written statement from Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin, the same person who first said that Sweden could very well experience another war soon.

According to Bohlin, a former prime minister like Andersson should refrain from “misinterpretations and political mud-slinging” in the serious situation Sweden finds itself in.

Bohlin added that the “false dichotomy” that Andersson is trying to play up is also serious.

“Ulf Kristersson has not made the slightest suggestion that new citizens are less willing to defend themselves,” Bohlin said in a press release.

(Charles Szumski | Euractiv.com)