Week 37: New ministers and debate about Sweden's role in the world

The new foreign minister has previously been migration minister in Ulf Kristersson's government. Opinions on the editorial pages differ on which parts of the world Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) should focus on in her new role. Photo: News Øresund, Henrik Smångs. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Fältman

Maria Malmer Stenergard succeeds Tobias Billström as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Johan Forssell becomes the new Minister of Migration and Benjamin Dousa, former CEO of Företagarna and think tank Timbro, takes over as Minister of Aid and Foreign Trade. The ministerial changes have sparked a great deal of debate about the government's foreign and aid policy and what role Sweden should play in the international arena.

September 16, 2024, Current debate

Violence is a consequence of settler colonialism

Flag of Palestine. Photo: Ömer Yildiz, Unsplash

Of: Nagaad Kadir Abdimaxmud

In recent weeks, a war has broken out between Israel and Palestinian Hamas. Several lives have been claimed and many people have lost their homes. Following pressure from the UN and other countries, the parties agreed on a ceasefire on 21 May. Experts believe that the violence is exacerbated by Israel's so-called settler colonialism.

June 1, 2021, News

Week 21: Hijacking, poison scandal and divided opinions about Israel-Palestine

Of: Josefine Hörkeby and Kevin Perera

Last week, Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko's actions led to widespread criticism from the outside world. Swedish debaters are now calling for sanctions and a new policy towards Belarus and its Russian allies. At the same time, the Israel-Palestine conflict continues to provoke debate. The Swedish metal company Boliden's dark past in Chile is also highlighted by UN rapporteur Marcos Orellana.

May 31, 2021, Current debate

"It is not possible to control a population through military occupation forever"

The Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated areas in the world and seeking protection is almost impossible. Gaza children are now experiencing the fourth war of aggression since 2008.

Of: Helena Lindholm

The ongoing military violence in Palestine and Israel shows that it is not possible to control a population through military occupation forever. This is not a conflict between two equal parties where both have equal responsibility. Continued apartheid policies and occupation mean an ongoing low-intensity violence, which will be punctured by more intensely violent episodes at regular intervals. That is the opinion of Helena Lindholm, who is a professor of peace and development research at the University of Gothenburg.

May 16, 2021, Debate

Does Swedish development assistance need more bureaucracy?

Office workers

Of: Rine Mansouri

Swedish development assistance would become more efficient with more management costs. That is the opinion of a professor of political science in Dagens Nyheter. Another debater advocates a global base income to tackle the economic crisis in the wake of the corona pandemic. And the criticism is harsh against Israel's plans for annexations of the West Bank.

May 28, 2020, Current debate

Hot debate on climate strikes and Greta Thunberg

This week's climate strikes have been debated extensively on Swedish debate and leadership pages. Photo: Julian Meehan (CC BY 2.0 License)

Of: Kerstin Edquist

Swedish opinion pages have this week turned inside out on the question of how they should relate to climate activist Greta Thunberg and the movement she started. At the same time, the Swedish government is being criticized for its climate policy, which is called both dishonest and "bourgeois insanity". And the opposition - they get criticized for flying to Israel at the same time to go to a celebrity party.

September 25, 2019, Current debate