On Friday, the Christian Democrats' National Council adopted a new program with over 60 proposals to strengthen the social community in Sweden.
One of the proposals is a ban on wearing the burqa and niqab in public.
In the parliamentary debate, only advocates for such a ban were heard.
"The burqa is an anomaly in Swedish society. It is the ultimate form of women's oppression, which wants to erase women from the public sphere," said Max Pelin, from the KD youth union.
Can't compare
However, there were those who did not want the burqa ban to lead to a discussion about KD wanting to restrict religious freedom. They therefore wanted to add the phrase “and other face coverings” to the ban on burqa and niqab.
But the party board's representative, Minister of Health Elisabeth Lann, was against it. She pointed out that you can't compare a buff against the cold with a burqa and niqab.
This is not about value-neutral garments, she said.
However, the Riksdag voted in favor of the amendment by a vote of 140 to 128.
Party leader Ebba Busch expects to be able to implement a burqa ban together with the other Tidö parties if they are allowed to retain government power after the election.
Defending that people should be allowed to wear the burqa and niqab in Sweden will be difficult for other parties, according to her.
You have to be aware that it sends the opposite signals, says Busch.
“Healthy patriotism”
The other proposals in the program touch on many different areas to increase community in Sweden. Much of it is about highlighting typically Swedish values.
We think there is value in emphasizing the ideals and values that underpin the welfare society we once built together, says Lann.
For example, KD wants to support associations through a state fund for sports halls and other meeting places.
Among other things, there are proposals for what is called "healthy patriotism", such as establishing the national symbols in a national charter, that the Swedish flag should be used more often, and to protect traditional holidays.
Other proposals that demonstrate the breadth of the program are requirements for larger companies to have a physical customer service center and proposals that most young people should undergo civil defense training of two to five months.
Introducing a national charter that legislates national symbols
Collect the basic laws into a constitution
Cherish traditional holidays
Ban funding of associations from foreign extremists
No to institutionalized and recurring calls to prayer
Expanded opportunity for Säpo to investigate religious communities and political organizations
State fund for co-financing of sports halls and other meeting places
Ban on burqa and niqab in public settings
Being registered in Sweden for at least five years should be a requirement to vote in local elections.
Citizenship requirements for being elected to municipal or regional council
Raise the age limit for social media to 15 years.
Review the Public Order Act to ensure that extremist movements are not able to threaten and attack other groups, for example during demonstrations.
Expanding civic duty
Introducing local knowledge into the curriculum
Introduce the possibility of parent meetings with mandatory attendance at school
Eliminate insecurity in high-rise areas, including through selective demolitions in unattractive areas
Source: Christian Democrats' program for a strengthened community
