Sweden proposes judicial system reforms with funding increase to combat crime and extremism

On Wednesday morning, Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer, along with Minister of Labor and Gender Equality Paulina Brandberg, the Christian Democrats’ legal policy spokesperson Torsten Elofsson, and the leader of the Sweden Democrats, Jimmie Åkesson, presented a proposal to bolster the judicial system at a press conference. Including previously announced funding increases, the overall budget for the judiciary will rise from 78.7 billion SEK this year to 86.7 billion SEK by 2025. In three years, the total budget for criminal policy is projected to reach 100 billion SEK.

Gunnar Strömmer emphasized that Sweden is facing three simultaneous threats to its internal security: terrorism and violent extremism, hostile actions from state actors, and systemic organized crime. The initiative aims to increase the number of police personnel in Sweden and enhance their ability to prevent and combat crime. The government and the Sweden Democrats also plan to strengthen the Security Services’ capacity to reduce threats from extremism and foreign powers. Additionally, they intend to ensure the continued robust expansion of correctional services.

To attract more individuals to police training programs, there will be provisions for loan forgiveness for police cadets under specific conditions. Jimmie Åkesson expressed pride in the initiative, noting it was a campaign promise from the Sweden Democrats and a vital component endorsed by other parties within the governing coalition.