The Swedish Government has launched a formal inquiry into the possibility of revoking citizenship from individuals involved in gang-related criminal activity, a significant move that would require changes to the Swedish Constitution. The proposal, spearheaded by the Moderates (Moderaterna) and backed by the Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna), Christian Democrats (Kristdemokraterna), and Liberals (Liberalerna), aims to strip citizenship from individuals with dual nationality who have either obtained citizenship through fraudulent means or have committed crimes that threaten national security.
Government targets dual nationals linked to criminal networks
According to Swedish Police Authority (Polismyndigheten) data, approximately 1,100 individuals currently active in criminal networks hold dual citizenship and could fall under the scope of the proposed legislation. These individuals may not necessarily be the leaders of such networks but are still considered a threat to Sweden’s vital interests, said Migration Minister Johan Forssell during a press conference.
“This marks a fundamental change in how we define and regulate Swedish citizenship,” Forssell stated. “This has been a heavily debated issue.”
The measure specifically addresses individuals who have gained citizenship through false statements, bribery or coercion, or who have been convicted of serious offenses deemed to harm the core interests of the state, including efforts to intimidate public authorities or promote violent ideologies.
Opposition warns of vague legal standards
The Social Democrats (Socialdemokraterna) and other opposition parties have criticized the initiative, warning that the proposed legal framework may be too vague and potentially applicable to a broader category of crimes beyond organized gang activity.
Despite opposition, the government is moving forward with the inquiry, aiming to build wider parliamentary support. A parliamentary working group involving all parties in the Riksdag has been established to ensure transparency throughout the investigation process.
Timeline and constitutional hurdles
The commission has been tasked with presenting its findings by March 26, 2026. However, any legal changes would require approval after the next general election, due to the constitutional nature of citizenship rights in Sweden.
The initiative is rooted in a report presented in January 2025, which already recommended revoking citizenship for those who obtained it deceitfully or committed crimes that seriously endanger national security. The governing coalition now seeks to extend these grounds to include gang criminality more broadly.
This move is part of a broader crackdown on organized crime in Sweden, which has seen a surge in gang violence in recent years, especially in urban areas like Stockholm, Malmö, and Göteborg.
The value of citizenship and the risk of a two-tiered system
The proposal raises fundamental questions about the meaning and value of citizenship in a democratic society. If citizenship can be revoked, even in cases of serious crime, it risks creating a distinction between citizens of category A, whose citizenship is irrevocable, and citizens of category B, who hold their status conditionally and may lose it if they fail to meet certain standards.
This approach frames citizenship as a privilege to be earned, rather than a foundational recognition of belonging to a political community. It transforms citizenship into a reward for good behavior instead of a legal and moral acknowledgment of who has the right to participate in and be protected by the state.
In its essence, citizenship should be the mechanism through which a state defines its community, granting individuals equal rights and duties as members. Altering this principle risks undermining the very cohesion and legitimacy of that community.
While tackling gang violence is a legitimate concern, critics argue that stripping people of citizenship risks weaponizing identity and could further marginalize vulnerable populations instead of addressing the root causes of organized crime.
The debate in Sweden is thus not only about security, but also about the principles of justice, equality, and democratic inclusion.
