– Like Finland, we in Sweden should introduce a law that generally regulates foreign purchases of land and properties in Sweden. The primary purpose would be to stop Russian business, says Peter Hultqvist (S), former Minister of Defence and now chairman of the Riksdag's Defence Committee.
He refers to a survey by the Swedish Defence University and Acta Publica on Russian ownership of properties in northern Norrland and the Stockholm area, in some cases properties near military facilities.
Also, the Security Service and the Financial Police have pointed out problems with interests in the form of Russian organized crime in Sweden. The law could also be about Chinese interests.
Hultqvist says that the government, as he has heard, is on its way with a law that will protect things like ports, airports and other important infrastructure. But it is not enough, he thinks. General legislation is needed.