Take $35,000 and Leave .. Plan to Expel Migrants in Sweden

Al-Taj News – In a notable shift from its previously welcoming policy toward migrants, Sweden’s right-wing coalition government is offering financial incentives of up to 350,000 Swedish kronor (about $35,000) to non-EU residents to leave the country.

According to the “Independent”, the move comes as part of the government’s pledges — led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and supported in parliament by the far-right Sweden Democrats — to curb immigration and combat crime.

The government has allocated a budget of 1.3 billion Swedish kronor (about $135 million) for the program and promoted it through its website in multiple languages.

The Sweden Democrats also launched an advertising campaign on buses targeting Somali migrants with the message: “Do you miss Mogadishu? The repatriation grant will help you return.” Kristersson said improving the repatriation process is at the top of his government’s agenda.

Despite the financial offer, figures showed little interest, with only 171 people responding to the scheme since the beginning of the year.

The lack of progress prompted the Sweden Democrats to call for expanding the offer to migrants who have obtained Swedish citizenship, on condition that they renounce it, specifically those struggling to make a living and who do not speak Swedish well.

Meanwhile, the opposition and civil rights groups accused the prime minister of going too far, describing the policy as divisive.