Election Q&A: the Moderate Party

The Moderate Party's Anders Borg, finance minister; Tobias Billström, immigration minister; and Riksdag foreign affairs committee head Göran Lennmarker answer some questions from The Local about the party's stance on a few key issues.

The Local: Why should someone vote for your party?

Anders Borg: We want to be responsible and carry out a strong fiscal policy. Instead of taxing and spending on welfare, we want to help people find work by offering them a high-quality education.

TL: What is your party going to do about the key issues facing the Swedish electorate?

AB: We want to restore public finances and make the education system work for our economy.

TL: What does your party see as the key to helping non-Swedes successfully establish themselves in Sweden?

AB: Immigrants are a real asset to this country. However, we have been too slow in introducing immigrants to the labour market, especially the older generation. It is too labourious to find a job without support and we want to change that.

There are problems, as in other European countries. We want to reduce taxes in the service sector, but this will take time.

TL: What do you say to foreign students who come here to study, but find it hard to find a job?

Tobias Billström: This government has changed the law so that visiting students who have completed studies corresponding to 30 ECTS credits or higher are allowed to apply for work and residence permits without having to first leave Sweden, which was the case before. Many foreign students are interested in working in Sweden and it is important for us to benefit from this, not least when considering the aging population and the growing labour needs.

TL: What is your party's top foreign policy issue?

Göran Lennmarker: Democracy, international law and human rights are the cornerstones of the Moderates' foreign policy. The EU is the main platform for our foreign and security policy and we want to strengthen the EU as a global actor.

We also want to contribute to a Europe that continues to remain open, with particular interest in, and responsibility for, development in the EU's neighbours and enlarging the union. We want to strengthen the transatlantic link and promote a world without nuclear weapons.

Sweden has a long-term commitment to security and stability in Afghanistan. We have increased Sweden's participation in the ISAF mission during this electoral term and we want to see a strengthened international civilian operation in Afghanistan.

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