EU Election's Hottest Issues

In Sweden, parties promise to save the white snout, keep Brussels away from Swedish forestry or ban short flights. But these will be the really hot issues for the new EU parliament

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EU Election's Hottest Issues
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

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I Sweden, parties promise to save the white noise, keep Brussels away from Swedish forestry or prohibit short flights.

But this will be the really hot issues for the new EU parliament.

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Climate

For example, the outgoing EU Commission has proposed a new target - to reduce emissions by 90% by 2040. This will involve new requirements for member states.

In the largest party group in parliament, EPP, where the Moderates and Christian Democrats are included, people are worried about how businesses and households can be affected economically by climate policy. And among the high nationalists, there is a clear opposition to the EU's climate policy. Even among parties in Sweden, there is a clear conflict.

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Migration

It seems that migration will continue to be a high priority, despite the EU recently, after much effort, managing to pass a new asylum law.

He points out that the migration issue is high on the agenda in many member states and that people are now talking a lot about how to relocate asylum reception outside the EU. It is also discussed how the EU should conclude agreements with countries outside the union to stop illegal migration to the EU.

Even here, there is a clear conflict among Swedish parties. On the left, the emphasis is on the importance of protecting asylum rights and creating safe routes into the EU.

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Economy

From several sides, it has also been flagged that the EU must strengthen its competitiveness compared to the US and China. But how will it be done? What will the EU invest in? Where will the money come from? A new long-term budget for the EU will be adopted, which will mainly be controlled by the governments of EU countries, but also the annual budgets will be decided.

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Ukraine

Support for Ukraine is expected to be a major issue in the EU. All Swedish parties in parliament believe that it must continue. However, there are differences, for example, on how the support should be paid.

The war has started a debate about how EU countries can strengthen their defense. It mainly concerns cooperation on procurement of military equipment and supporting the defense industry. However, parliament has no prominent role.

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The unknown

In addition, the EU will have to handle unforeseen crises.

M: Complete the new emissions reduction target of 90% by 2040 with growth targets. Open up EU funds for investments in nuclear power

KD: Want to see a consequence analysis before the 2040 target is written into EU law. Want to connect candidate countries to trade with emission permits

L: Want a new target of 95% by 2040, according to top candidate Karin Karlsbro. The EU should be able to stop the closure of nuclear power plants.

SD: No, to a new 2040 target. See risk of "draconian" climate measures deindustrializing Europe. Reform the EU's climate pact. Develop a strategy for more nuclear power.

C: Want a target of 95% by 2040. Want EU support to be able to freeze for member states that do not meet climate targets.

S: Tighten EU's climate targets to 95% reduced emissions by 2040. Speed up the energy transition and increase pressure on member states to increase their renewable energy production.

MP: Tighten the proposed emissions reduction target 2040. More coal should be taken up in the forest and soil than what is emitted. Tighten EU's emissions trading. Abolish all subsidies for fossil energy, prioritize solar and wind power

V: Want to see large green investments in the EU, in railways, housing and energy production, among other things, with reformed state aid rules. Emissions reduction target over 90% by 2040.

References: Party manifestos and top candidates

M: Strengthen EU's border agency Frontex to 30,000 border guards. Have EU border guards on site in North Africa. Establish "return hubs" outside the EU where people with deportation decisions can be moved

KD: Strengthen Frontex to 30,000 border guards. Review the possibility of seeking asylum outside the EU.

L: Want to build up Frontex significantly and let the EU take over responsibility for the entire external border control. No to asylum reception centers outside the EU.

SD: Establish asylum centers outside the EU. Strengthen EU's border control to stop illegal immigration. Force countries to accept their own citizens who are deported from the EU. No EU country should be forced to accept asylum seekers.

C: Want to see an EU strategy for EU countries to take in more quota refugees and a strategy for safe and legal routes for asylum seekers into the EU. Do not want to see asylum reception centers outside the EU.

S: Want to focus on an efficient implementation of the asylum and migration pact the EU has agreed on.

MP: EU countries should share the responsibility of taking in refugees. Create safe and legal routes into Europe, for example, with humanitarian visas.

V: No to asylum reception centers outside the EU. Protect asylum rights and create safe and legal routes into Europe.

References: Party manifestos and top candidates

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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