Andersson rejects review of existing permanent residence permits

Magdalena Andersson says permanent residence permits already granted in Sweden should not be reopened, drawing a firm limit around the restrictive migration policy she says the Social Democrats will continue.

In a P4 Extra interview, the party leader said the Social Democrats stand by the tighter approach adopted after the 2015 refugee crisis.

“We have taken great responsibility and need to focus our efforts on ensuring that people who are in Sweden become part of our community,” she told presenter Titti Schultz.

Her answer separates two questions that are often folded into the same migration debate. Sweden’s parliament has already abolished permanent residence permits as an option for several protection-related categories. The changes took effect on 12 July, with transitional provisions.

Andersson rejected going further by reassessing permanent permits that people have already received.

The position leaves the Social Democrats supporting tighter rules for future migration while opposing a change that could unsettle existing permanent residents. Her position would leave those permits untouched even though Sweden has tightened the rules for future cases.

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