The Swedish Migration Agency has now been given the green light to make trips to Uganda and Turkey, among other places, to bring out people from Afghanistan, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The government says that, as a starting point, two-thirds of quota refugees should be women, girls and vulnerable groups such as LGBTQI people.
Ahead of 2026, the agency requested information from the government on December 17 last year. But it did not receive a response until Monday.
Despite all the criticism
Because of the delay, the Swedish Migration Agency had to cancel two of four planned trips, and the goal of receiving 900 quota refugees a year will not be met. Instead, an estimated 350 people will be able to receive protection this year.
The Swedish Migration Agency has received no explanation for the delayed notification.
This handling is beyond criticism, says Ida Karkiainen, the Social Democrats' migration policy spokesperson.
They have boasted that they will accept people fleeing persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, or people who are women or children. But they have not lived up to their commitment.
Similar criticism has come from other red-green parties.
My view is that the Liberals and the Christian Democrats have not kept their promises ahead of the 2022 election. They have not stood up to the Sweden Democrats and ensured that Sweden accepts the most vulnerable, says Center Party spokesperson Niels Paarup-Petersen.
V: Should be compensated
Annika Hirvonen, the Green Party's migration policy spokesperson, wants to return to accepting 5,000 quota refugees a year, the level in place until the Tidö parties took power in 2022.
We are strongly critical of the government's sharp cut to 900. The fact that the number will now be only 350 is shameful. Sweden is capable of helping more, she says.
The Left Party and the Center Party also want Sweden to increase the number of refugees to 5,000 a year again. The Center Party says this should happen “gradually”.
Meanwhile, the Social Democrats are sticking to 900.
Yes, we believe so, says Karkiainen, adding that everything will be subject to government negotiations.
The Left Party believes Sweden should make up for the government's late announcement by accepting an additional 550 people in 2027.
"The government's tardiness must not mean that 550 places simply disappear. Next year's quota should therefore be increased so that at least this year's shortfall is made up," writes the Left Party's spokesperson Jennifer Merelaid Hankins in a text message.
