Swedish party leaders agree to speed up gang violence fight

Sweden’s party leaders have decided to speed up legislation to tackle the country’s rising gang violence issue following an invitation from Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to a meeting of the National Security Council on Thursday.

Although the police have prevented around 30 gang-related shootings and explosions in the last 30 days, there are almost daily reports of shootings, arson attacks and gang-related deaths in Sweden, especially in Stockholm and Uppsala, Krisersson told a press conference after the council meeting.

“I have often likened the shootings and explosions to domestic terrorists, and there are reasons for that. The criminal networks instil fear and terror in societies. They have a large capital of violence that affects completely innocent people,” Kristersson said at the press conference.

“We have today asked the parliamentary parties to participate in speeding up legislation by accelerating the work of parliament,” he added.

Following the meeting, the government announced a significant reduction in the timetable for adopting the two bills: one on temporary search zones, the other on travel bans.

The proposal for temporary stop and search zones, due to come into force on 1 January 2025, will instead come into force on 1 March next year. In these zones, police can search anyone without suspicion of committing a crime.

The proposal on residence bans, due to come into force on 1 July next year, will be brought forward to 1 February. According to his bill, it will be possible to prohibit a person from staying in a certain place for a certain period. The idea is to prevent impulsive shootings and acts of revenge.

“We are in an exceptional situation. Gangs are finding new ways to shock, crossing new boundaries when young children are murdered, mothers are targeted, and family members are attacked,” said Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch, adding that the current situation must stop.

Double penalties for weapons offences and serious weapons smuggling have also been brought forward. In addition, the penalties for explosives licence offences will be doubled.

Kristersson stressed the importance of cooperating with parties in the opposition.

However, while the different parties were able to agree on several aspects of the need for more resources to fight crime, former prime minister and Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson, among others, believes that the government’s efforts are insufficient.

“It was good that we had the meeting, but I am deeply disappointed that the government could not present any new measures,” she said.

Insecurity and the rise in gang-related violence were among the most debated issues in last year’s election campaign, which saw the end of eight years of Social Democratic rule in Sweden in favour of a centre-right coalition backed by the country’s now second-largest party: the far-right Sweden Democrats.

(Charles Szumski | Euractiv.com)