Sweden must be open to the rest of the world
The previous electoral period expanded opportunities for people to come here to create a better future for themselves through their own work. This contributes to our prosperity and means that Sweden has taken the lead in the move towards more open borders and increased mobility, says Tobias Billström. This is essential for a society that wants to develop and meet future demographic challenges. We will therefore stand up for and nurture this reform.
Sweden must also be a place of refuge for people fleeing persecution and oppression. A humane and legally secure asylum policy requires good order and short processing times. Those who are granted a residence permit in Sweden must be able to support themselves as soon as possible, while those whose applications are rejected must return to their country of origin. Only then, in the long run, will we be able to provide protection to those in need.
Without this openness, Sweden would have been a poorer country, says Tobias Billström.
High ambitions for the next electoral period
The voters and the Prime Minister have given me a renewed mandate to lead the Ministry of Justice over the coming electoral period. I look forward to this assignment with great humility and high ambitions.
Information material: Sweden's Committee for Circular Migration and Development
In July 2009, the Government decided to appoint an independent Parliamentary Committee to examine the connection between circular migration and development. The Committee's task is to map out circular migration and identify the factors that influence migrants' opportunities to circulate, i.e. to move from Sweden to their countries of origin as well as back to Sweden again.
An interim report presenting the findings of the initial survey was released in May 2010. The main findings are summarized in this information sheet. Proposals and impact assessments will be presented in a final report in late March 2011.
Sweden has elected a new Riksdag
The newly elected Riksdag will gather for the first time at the opening of the Riksdag session on 5 October. Until then, the current Government will remain in power.
Agreement with South Korea on holiday employment
Today Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström and the Ambassador of South Korea in Stockholm signed an agreement making it easier for young adults from Sweden and South Korea to work temporarily in the other country.
A European e-Justice Portal
The European e-Justice Portal was launched in July 2010. The portal makes it easier to find information about legal issues and to work on legal matters.
Tobias Billström head of the Ministry of Employment
At a press conference in Almedalen this morning, Minister for Employment Sven Otto Littorin announced that, due to personal reasons, he is resigning his ministerial post. In light of this, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt held a press conference in Rosenbad.
"As of today and until further notice, I have appointed Tobias Billström as head of the Ministry of Employment. This does not entail any changes regarding Tobias Billström's responsibilities at the Ministry of Justice", Mr Reinfeldt stated at the press conference.
Evaluation of the ban on purchase of sexual services
The Inquiry on evaluation of the ban on purchase of sexual services submitted on Friday July 2nd its report Förbud mot köp av sexuell tjänst (Prohibition of the purchase of sexual services). En utvärdering 1999-2008 (An evaluation 1999-2008) (SOU 2010:49) to Minister for Justice Beatrice Ask.
Information material: Migration policy
A new fact sheet with a brief description of the Government's work in the migration policy area at the national, EU and international level.
Amendments to the Constitution of Sweden
The Government Bills A reformed Constitution, Constitutional protection for digital cinema and other matters concerning freedom of expression and The legal status of backup copies have been submitted to the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament). It is proposed that these amendments enter into force on 1 January 2011. Amendments to the Constitution require the Riksdag to take two identical decisions, with a general election in between.
