KD: Ban full-face Muslim dress

On Friday, the Christian Democrats presented a new election program with over 60 proposals to strengthen social cohesion in Sweden. Among the most notable proposals is the party’s intention to introduce a ban on full-face Muslim dress, such as burqa and niqab, in public spaces. Furthermore, the party wants to ensure that the Swedish flag is used more frequently and to protect traditional holidays.

The proposal has sparked discussion within the party, where several party districts, including Västra Götaland under Magnus Jacobsson, wanted the ban to also include ‘other facial masking’ to avoid debates about religious freedom. However, the party leadership was against the addition.

‘These are not value-neutral garments; it’s not just about concealing the face. Burqa and niqab represent something else, something that has no place in our society,’ said Minister of Health and Social Affairs Elisabeth Land from the podium.

A top member of the Christian Democrats emphasized that burqa and niqab cannot be compared to a scarf or pulled-up turtleneck to protect against the cold.

‘It’s important not to relativize this and compare it to other facial masking.’

After voting, the broader proposal received support from the national assembly with 140 votes against 128. Party leader Ebba Busch believes that the burqa ban can be implemented together with the other Tidö parties if the Christian Democrats retain power after the election.

Proposals to strengthen community

The program contains several proposals aimed at strengthening community in society and emphasizing typically Swedish values. For example, the Christian Democrats want to introduce local knowledge into the school curriculum and create opportunities for mandatory parent meetings.

The party also wants to increase civil duty and introduce a broader civil defense training for young people, while also aiming to eliminate insecurity in high-rise areas, including through selective demolitions in less attractive areas.

To promote ‘healthy patriotism,’ the party wants to establish national symbols in a national charter, ensure that the Swedish flag is used more frequently, and protect traditional holidays. At the same time, support for associations is proposed through a state fund that can co-finance sports halls and other meeting places.

The program also includes demands for larger companies to have physical customer service and measures against foreign influence, including by prohibiting financing of associations by foreign extremists and giving the Security Service expanded powers to scrutinize religious communities and political organizations.

In the same spirit, the Christian Democrats want to review the public order act to prevent extreme movements from threatening or attacking other groups during demonstrations, for example. Additionally, the party wants to require citizenship to stand for election to municipal or regional councils and that individuals must be registered in Sweden for at least five years to vote in local elections.

Watch the debate

The Christian Democrats’ party congress can be followed below. The debate on a ban on burqa and niqab can be fast-forwarded to the timestamp 7 hours and 50 minutes remaining in the live broadcast.