Swedish Government Proposes Citizenship Revocation for Gang Criminals Under New Constitutional Legislation

The Swedish government has put forward a significant constitutional proposal aiming to allow the revocation of citizenship for individuals holding dual citizenship convicted of serious crimes that threaten Sweden's vital interests, particularly violent gang-related criminal activities. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer announced that this initiative responds to growing threats posed by violent extremism, organized crime, and other systemic risks to Sweden's free and open society.

Currently, Swedish citizenship cannot be revoked, but the new proposal introduces conditions under which citizenship can be stripped — such as when citizenship was acquired fraudulently through false information, bribery, or threats, or when the individual commits crimes seriously jeopardizing national security or public order. Serious crimes cited include violent gang-related acts, shootings, and bombings that disrupt community safety.

The legislation was developed following recommendations from a parliamentary constitutional committee report released in January 2025, which had broad political backing except from the Left and Green parties. The government's proposal also seeks to criminalize participation in criminal gangs by restricting freedom of association, making gang membership punishable by law, and includes a constitutional provision to protect abortion rights.

However, opposition parties, notably the Social Democrats, have voiced concerns about the proposal’s language, arguing that the term "crimes that seriously threaten Sweden's vital interests" is too vague, potentially leading to ambiguous application.

Henrik Vinge, chair of the Justice Committee, supported the notion that revoking citizenship should apply both when citizenship is fraudulently obtained and when the individual commits serious crimes. Strömmer emphasized that threats to Sweden originate from multiple fronts—from violent extremism and terrorism to state actors and organized crime—necessitating strong legal measures.

As the proposal proceeds to parliamentary discussions, it reflects the government's firm approach to enhancing national security through constitutional reforms aimed at curbing gang violence and reinforcing societal protections.