A large part of Åkesson's summer speech, which was held in his hometown of Sölvesborg, dealt with what he called the polarized political climate that he claims has become more confrontational and that much of it is due to the Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson. In the speech, he appeals to Andersson to "stop the poisoned debate".
After Magdalena Andersson's study visit to the USA last year, we have seen how the Swedish debate climate has changed, how it has been ravaged, he says.
"Extending a hand"
Jimmie Åkesson says that "no parties are innocent", not even his own.
We also have a responsibility, but some have a greater responsibility than others, he says.
Åkesson now wants to bury the hatchet.
I want to, from this stage on Slottsudden in Sölvesborg, extend a hand. Please, Magdalena Andersson, can we just agree to stop this poisoned debate?
Åkesson says he wants to put policy issues at the center and "acknowledge the differences" but "cooperate where we think alike".
It is not worthy of our proud country that elected officials hold such a low level, calling other elected officials or parties, foul names and labeling them. Let us all raise ourselves a few notches.
Dumpen as a good example
Crime was also in focus in the speech. Åkesson raised an old demand that the police should be allowed to use provocation, especially when it comes to tracking down pedophiles on the internet, which he calls "abominable predators". He takes the controversial site Dumpen, which poses as children and exposes men who have agreed to meet them for sex, as an example.
Today, we see how organizations like Dumpen, or individual private individuals, are forced to act to protect our children. But that is a task for the police. Or, it should be a task for the police, says Åkesson.
These wretched people should be hunted down with all means. Caught, prosecuted, and, if you ask me, forever prevented from living freely in society again.
