The Swedish government has been criticised over its communication regarding the country’s preparedness for war.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has been accused of creating division among Swedes with immigrant backgrounds.
During the annual security conference, Folk och Forsvar (People and Defence), both the Swedish government and Commander-in-Chief Micael Byden emphasised the need for Sweden and its citizens to prepare for war, a sentiment echoed by opposition leader Magdalena Andersson, albeit with a more cautious approach.
Andersson acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but stressed that war is not imminent.
She said: “But of course, if Russia wins the war in Ukraine, there is an obvious risk that other countries will be next.”
However, she criticised the government for its handling of the message, adding: “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.”
The war talk from Sweden’s commander-in-chief raised concerns, particularly among younger people, prompting the children’s protection association BRIS to address the fears of children. Magnus Jagerskog, BRIS Secretary General, expressed concern about children’s inquiries on war preparation and criticised the government’s harsh rhetoric.
He added: “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.”
He highlighted the authorities’ responsibility to provide information to children and called for a discussion on how to communicate such messages to the public.
Andersson also accused Prime Minister Kristersson of creating divisions with his statements on the relationship between Swedish citizenship and national defence.
Kristersson had said: “We must also start talking out loud about the expectations that come with Swedish citizenship.”
According to Andersson, Kristersson’s message suggested that newer Swedish citizens may not have the same willingness to defend themselves as others, calling it a “uniquely divisive message.” She stressed the need for cohesion and trust in Sweden, saying, “That kind of divisive message takes the country in the opposite direction.”
In response to the criticism, Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin issued a written statement, urging Andersson to refrain from “misinterpretations and political mud-slinging” in the serious situation. Bohlin also denied Kristersson’s alleged suggestion that new citizens are less willing to defend themselves, describing it as a “false dichotomy”.
