Miljöpartiet (MP) or The Green Party in English, answer the 9 Political Questions asked to all major parties represented in Stora Torget, Uppsala.
In our party platform, we describe our ideology as being based on “a solidarity that can be expressed in three ways: solidarity with animals, nature, and the ecological system”, “solidarity with coming generations”, and “solidarity with all of the world’s people”. The platform then describes these solidarities being expressed in “several fundamental ideas”, these being participatory democracy, ecological wisdom, social justice, children’s rights, circular economy, global justice, nonviolence, equality and feminism, animal rights, self-reliance and self-administration, freedom, and long-sightedness.
2. Where would you place your party in the Left-Right political spectrum?
Most of the greens would say in the middle or a little bit to the left from the middle. In 2009, Maria Wetterstrand, then party co-spokesperson, defined the party as a natural home also for green-minded social liberals and libertarian socialists, by referring to its liberal policy regarding immigration and its support of personal integrity, participation and entrepreneurship, among other issues. Myself, I have always seen myself as a social liberal.
3. Which are the parties you feel closest to in the European Parliament?
Probably EUL/NGL (Left), PES (Social democrats) and Alde (liberals)
4. Why should people vote for your party?
We want to build a sustainable society, that takes on climate change. Sweden should take the lead and be the most modern green country in the world. The Green party also have a positive message in our election campaigns combating segregation, the importance of giving everybody an equal chance in society, and that more money needs to go to education so that schools can be just as good in poorer areas. Many other parties tend to be more aggressive and have negative campaigning against different groups in society.
5. What are the general priorities your party aims at achieving throughout Sweden?
- Invest in high-speed trains, expand and improve the railways throughout the country.
- Promote climate-smart and organic food.
- Schools and elderly care homes shall serve more organic and locally produced food. We want to tax imported meat where unnecessary antibiotics have been used in raising animals.
- Stop the spread of plastics and poisons in oceans and waterways.
- Give everybody more power over their time and their working lives.
- We want to reduce working hours, and invest in gender-equal salaries and pensions.
- Give timely support to youths who are unwell.
- We want to reinforce pupil health services and gradually realise queue-free child and youth psychiatry services.
- Make Sweden stand for peace, gender equality and a humane refugee policy. Sweden shall not export weapons to dictatorships and we are against Sweden joining NATO.
- We want to protect the right to asylum, and give people fleeing the right to be reunited with their families. This is about being humanitarian.
6. Why should people vote for your party on a Local level?
The Green party want to invest in public transports, like trams. In the 1950s-1960s trams were removed in several cities in Sweden with more people buying cars.
The city of Uppsala had a tram network back in 1953. Now it’s time to reintroduce the transportation method into Uppsala which is a fast growing city.
Better public transport between Uppsala and Stockholm. Nowhere else in Sweden are there as many commuters as between these two cities. Now only two railway tracks between the cities. The Green party have succeeded with a long time goal and now it’s finally decided by the government to build two more tracks. Very important.
Give support to youths who are unwell. The rising of youths having mental health issues are growing rapidly in Sweden, more than in other counries, even by comparing with the Nordic countries. No one knows for sure why but some experts believe the big focus on individuals and not the society can be part of the problem.
Defend the title of being Sweden’s best bicycle friendly city and compete of being one of the world’s best biclycle friendly cities.
Make Uppsala leading in energy switching. With green energy Uppsala shall contribute to reducing climate impact and leading the way in energy switching.
Employ more adults in schools so that pupils have more time with their teachers. The working environment needs to be improved and salaries increased.
7. If elected, what will you do for Uppsala? And for Uppland?
Invest in public transports, especially trams. It’s time to reintroduce the transportation method into Uppsala which is a fast growing city.
Give support to youths who are unwell. The rising of youths having mental health issues are growing rapidly in Sweden
Make Uppsala leading in energy switching. With green energy Uppsala shall contribute to reducing climate impact and leading the way in energy switching.
Employ more adults in schools so that pupils have more time with their teachers. The working environment needs to be improved and salaries increased.
Increase agricultural self-sufficiency and also promote more of organic farming.
Democracy – An effective, open organization in municipality / county council with great opportunities for the individual to have influence, for example, citizen proposals, consultation, opinions in urban planning issues, etc.
Business – Good business environment as well as a good and effective service.
Urban planning – tougher energy and environmental requirements for construction, accessibility and promoting varied architecture.
8. Do you have any links to further material on your party in English?
9. Any other closing comments or remarks?
To read more about the Swedish 2018 Vote go to the homepage of the section.
Photos: Dante Löfstrand ©