"We have become a safe, sensible, blue centre in Swedish politics. We want to continue to be that force for the next four years," says Ebba Busch at a press conference in Vasaparken in Stockholm.
The Christian Democrats are going into the election on a platform of always prioritising families with children in upcoming budget negotiations.
Among other things, KD wants to increase child allowance to 2,000 kronor per month, abolish quotas in parental insurance, and improve mothers' pensions through a "child bonus" that is paid into the person's premium pension account when the child is born. This would give a mother of two an extra 700 kronor per month in pension.
"Families should always be the winners. Welfare must come first," Busch says about the party's election promises.
Abolish the regions
KD's most important healthcare issue is to abolish the regions and let the state take over responsibility. According to the party, this would provide more equal healthcare across the country.
Anyone who wants the Christian Democrats' support to form a government - and we will also be in the government we support - must meet us on our most important issue of gaining a unified responsibility for healthcare.
One promise in the election manifesto is that a home care decision will follow the person if they move to another municipality. Today, elderly people are locked in a kind of “municipal arrest,” according to Busch.
KD also proposes a free vaccination programme for the elderly that would function much like the childhood vaccination programme, according to Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed (KD). He mentions, for example, vaccines against shingles, influenza, COVID-19, pneumococci and RS virus.
It should not depend on which region you live in. All elderly people should have the opportunity to protect themselves against serious illness, regardless of their financial ability.
“Deeply unsympathetic”
The party also wants to lower pharmaceutical costs for people with small financial margins through a differentiation of high-cost coverage.
The idea is not that anyone should get a higher bill, but we want to lower it for those with the lowest incomes, says Forssmed.
Busch is positive despite an incredibly tough public opinion situation for the Tidö parties. She is critical of the red-greens talking as if the election is already over, according to her.
There is something deeply unsympathetic, almost disrespectful, in starting to distribute the spoils and ministerial posts when the voters have barely even begun to take a stand.
