Sweden's Minister of Migration, Johan Forssell, has stated that Swedish citizenship must be associated with pride and effort. He, along with Integration Minister Simona Mohamsson and other political spokespersons, has introduced proposals to amend the existing citizenship regulations, which they believe have previously allowed too lenient conditions for obtaining citizenship. Forssell criticized the current practice whereby individuals could gain citizenship after just five years, even without a basic understanding of the Swedish language or an ability to support themselves.

The proposed changes entail extending the residency period required for citizenship to eight years, apart from citizens from Nordic countries, who will still be eligible after only two years. This move underscores a significant policy shift aimed at ensuring that new citizens meet higher standards of integration, including linguistic competency and cultural understanding. Forssell emphasized the importance of these requirements for promoting a sense of belonging and responsibility among new citizens.

These changes reflect a broader trend in Swedish immigration policy, where there is an increasing push for tougher integration measures. The government argues that these stricter rules will foster a more cohesive society, although critics may contend that such policies could create barriers for potential citizens and negatively impact Sweden's reputation for inclusivity. The discussion around these proposed amendments will likely intensify as the government seeks to balance national security with the values of openness that have characterized Sweden's immigration policies historically.