17
Jan
2023
Watch
Presentation of the programme of activities of the Swedish Presidency (debate)
Madam President, thank you very much. Prime Minister Kristersson! Welcome to the European Parliament! One thing we have in common is a respect for Gösta Bohman's political deed, his fight for freedom against the great state. Now the big government is making a comeback at EU level. You know that Brexit did not lead to the necessary self-examination in Brussels and that the centralists saw their chance. You know that power transferred to Brussels will never come back. You know that the EU acquis is becoming increasingly burdensome and that the EU regulates more and more of the lives of its citizens. Dear Prime Minister, The principle of subsidiarity would limit the transfer of power. That was not the case. Crisis after crisis is used to transfer power to Brussels. The EU would promote free trade and fight protectionism. That was not the case. Instead, protectionist green investment support financed by loans is proposed, as is the case with the Coronavirus Fund. We need to maintain our labour market model. That was not the case either. To this can be added the EU's decisions on forests, hunting, energy, fuel, quotas, migration and asylum. Dear Prime Minister, In Sweden, the Moderates have finally adopted a realistic migration policy, but your party has essentially accepted Migration Commissioner Ylva Johansson's proposal to give Brussels power over migration volumes. Because even if your line means that you can pay yourself free from receiving Brussels' migrant quotas, it is about fines in the billions class in order to be able to pursue an independent migration policy. The reduction obligation, i.e. that the government may have to pay up to SEK 20 billion in fines for fulfilling its election promises, should be appalling. In addition, we know that migratory pressure will increase. Just look at the UN population projections for Africa and the Middle East. Frontex has reported the largest illegal migration since 2016. The Pact on Migration is not designed to address future migratory pressures. We must not give up power over migration volumes. Dear Prime Minister, Down here, the big state is growing. The Corona Fund's financing with joint debt is now a precedent. Those sitting here today – from the left to your own EPP group – are demanding more debt, new EU taxes and more transfers of power. And my question is: When will the Conservatives draw conclusions from this? Prime Minister Kristersson: Gösta Bohman fought for what he believed in and you can do that too! I am convinced that many of your voters, not just mine, would appreciate Swedish threats of veto against the indebtedness of future generations and a referendum lock that gives the Swedish people an opportunity to have their say on the major transfers of power that are planned. More than you think would welcome a change of course away from the United States of Europe, to safeguard individual freedom, corporate competitiveness and Sweden's sovereignty. I wish you the best of luck!