Debaters want less right-wing populism and more climate policy in the EU

Sunday's election to the European Parliament has been the focus of most media's opinion pages this week. Several debaters demand that the EU focus more on climate policy, while others are concerned about the increased influence of right-wing populists in Europe.

In the run-up to the forthcoming European Parliament elections on 26 May, several editorial and debate articles have discussed potential security risks in connection with rising political influence from right-wing populism in European countries. Austrian Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache is portrayed as a deterrent by his collaborations with right-wing extremist parties. This after he was revealed to be making barter deals in an informal business meeting two years ago, with a woman who claims to belong to the Russian financial elite.

Votes for climate policy have also taken place in the debate. DN's leaders demand more focus on the climate crisis in the EU election. As a supranational organization, the EU is the only one of its kind in the world and, with supranational legislative power, has the opportunity to enforce climate laws that take us closer to environmental goals for emission reductions. In Aftonbladet's leader, Pernilla Ericson calls for action for the next generation, in line with the ban on disposable plastic products that will come into force in the EU in 2021. "Europe's choices make an impression in the world" and with plastic islands in the world's oceans, more is required from the union, she writes.

This week, Minister for Development Aid Peter Eriksson is on a ministerial visit to Tanzania and in connection with this, Civil Rights Defenders writes that Sweden's development assistance to the country does not benefit the civilian population at present. Limited freedom of the press and the persecution of homosexuals are examples of the government's abuse. Civil Rights Defenders writes: "When the Minister for Development Aid leaves Tanzania, it should be clear to President Magufuli that Sweden does not accept a development partner who does not respect the human rights of its population."

In Ethiopia, much progress has been made on humanitarian law since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power, but representatives from the Pentecostal Mission's Development Cooperation (PMU) and the Church of Sweden want Sida and the Swedish government to invite actors like themselves to strategic talks to speed up the democratization process.