Debate between party leaders in January to be held in the evening

The Speaker and the party group leaders have agreed that the first parliamentary debate between the party leaders in election year will take place on Wednesday 14 January beginning at 6 p.m. SVT, Swedish Television, will broadcast the debate. Up until now, the debates between party leaders have taken place in the mornings.

“In this way, we would like to give more voters the opportunity to follow the debate between party leaders live. It is important in our democracy that the party leaders’ standpoints before the elections are made known,” says the Speaker Andreas Norlén.

“I think that it valuable that voters be given the opportunity to experience several different types of debates between party leaders in different formats, especially during an election year, and I am therefore pleased that the debate between party leaders at the Riksdag will be broadcast on SVT at a time when many people have the opportunity to watch,” says the Speaker.

One characteristic feature of the debates between party leaders at the Riksdag is that the party leaders have a predetermined speaking time, that their exchanges are clearly regulated and that the party leaders themselves may choose which topics they wish to raise. The debates are led by the Speaker who monitors that the speaking times and other debate rules are respected.

Further information

Pernilla Eldblom, Press Secretary to the Speaker, tel. +46 72 209 59 14, email: pernilla.eldblom@riksdagen.se