Teresa Carvalho, the Social Democrats’ new spokesperson on legal policy, is on a mission to demonstrate her party’s commitment to tackling gang violence. During a visit to a soon-to-be-opened residential care home for boys, Carvalho voiced concerns about the potential for such facilities to be exploited by criminal gangs for recruitment. This concern, coupled with a perceived lack of progress in curbing youth crime, has spurred the Social Democrats to adopt a ”tougher” stance on law and order. Carvalho argues that the previous Social Democrat-led government, despite promising to ”leave no stone unturned,” did not go far enough in addressing the issue. She cites the need for stricter penalties for weapons offenses and more effective strategies to prevent young people from joining gangs.
Carvalho emphasizes the urgency of the situation, describing Sweden as being in a ”national crisis.” She believes that extraordinary measures are required to combat the escalating gang violence, including a reassessment of previously held positions. One such reassessment led the Social Democrats to support the controversial use of anonymous witnesses in court, a measure they had previously opposed. While acknowledging that this decision created divisions within the opposition, Carvalho maintains that it was necessary to provide law enforcement with more effective tools. She expresses hope that other parties will also reconsider their stances and prioritize the fight against gang crime. The Social Democrats are now advocating for more aggressive interventions, including the potential use of ankle monitors or chaperones for young people at risk of involvement in criminal activity.
Carvalho’s firm stance extends beyond the issue of anonymous witnesses. She criticizes what she sees as the undue influence of smaller parties on the direction of legal policy, arguing that a majority in parliament favors stricter measures against gang criminals. This outspokenness has generated friction, particularly with the former coalition partner, the Green Party. However, Carvalho stands by her assertion, stating that she was speaking generally about the challenges of collaborating with parties reluctant to embrace tougher policies. She welcomes the potential for greater cooperation if other parties are willing to reconsider their positions.
A core element of the Social Democrats’ new approach is a proposed package of ”mafia laws” inspired by the American RICO Act. This package aims to hold entire criminal organizations accountable, introduce collective punishment to incentivize testimony against leading figures, allow prosecution of legal entities collaborating with criminal enterprises, and establish specialized mafia units within law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. Carvalho expresses confidence that these proposals enjoy broad support in parliament, regardless of party affiliation. While open to collaboration with any party that supports these measures, she explicitly rules out formal agreements with the Sweden Democrats, characterizing them as an ”extreme” party on these issues. Carvalho’s overarching goal is to demonstrate the Social Democrats’ commitment to reversing the trend of escalating gang violence, even if it means forging unlikely alliances.
Beyond the ”mafia laws,” Carvalho advocates giving social services greater power to intervene in the lives of young people at risk of joining gangs. This includes the possibility of utilizing ankle monitors or assigning chaperones to monitor their activities. She believes that such targeted interventions are crucial to disrupting the cycle of recruitment and violence. While acknowledging that these measures may raise concerns about individual liberties, Carvalho argues that they are justified by the gravity of the situation. She insists that the Social Democrats are prepared to take all necessary steps to ensure public safety and protect vulnerable youth from the lure of gang life.
Carvalho’s other policy positions further highlight the Social Democrats’ evolving approach to law and order. She expresses the party’s opposition to begging, emphasizing that it contradicts the principle of self-sufficiency through work. However, she prioritizes addressing the immediate crisis of youth violence over dedicating legislative resources to a national ban on begging. She also expresses support for security detention, or indefinite incarceration for individuals who commit serious repeat offenses, noting that it fills a gap in the current system for dealing with persistent violent offenders and those who pose a continuing threat to public safety. These positions reflect a shift towards a more punitive approach within the Social Democratic Party, driven by the urgency of the gang violence crisis. Carvalho’s leadership in this area signifies a new chapter in the party’s approach to crime and punishment, marked by a willingness to embrace more aggressive tactics and reconsider long-held positions.
