"

I do not want to be rude, but I also want to be honest with how we discuss it in Denmark.

"

Sören Pape Poulsen strains his eyes into the camera lens from his office in Copenhagen when he describes how Sweden is used in the political debates in the neighboring country.

- We see Sweden as the worst example.

When we do the interview with Sören Pape Poulsen, today party leader for the Conservatives, it has been a few weeks since a Brå report showed that Sweden is at the top for deadly firearm violence in Europe.

- It is very sad, but honestly I am not surprised, he says.

Sören Pape Poulsen thinks that Sweden should be inspired by Denmark - in recent years, a number of tough measures have been introduced such as double penalties for gang-related crimes, visitation zones and anonymous witnesses.

In Denmark, the number of shootings has decreased significantly since 2017, according to the Danish police.

"Before a catastrophe" 

Now Sören Pape Poulsen is worried that the gang problems will return to Denmark to a greater extent - via the Öresund Bridge.

- When you have a Swedish passport, it's just going to Denmark ... I know that what I say may be controversial, but I think many Danes are worried about this.

If we were to become a little like Sweden, it would be a disaster.

Since 2014, the Swedish government has taken the initiative for more than 60 increased penalties related to organized crime.

But they have not been hard enough, thinks Sören Pape Poulsen. 

Model for Kristersson and Busch

Integration and segregation are not words in Sören Pape Poulsen's Danish vocabulary.

Instead, it is what he describes as Sweden's "massive immigration" that is the explanation for the increased gang-related violence.

- A blind man with a cane can see that this is a big problem.

The Politburo's latest section "Tough & Tougher" is about how politicians compete to launch harsher punishments, more police and more wiretapping.

But are it the toughest proposals that break the gangs and win the battle for the voters?

Watch the whole episode here on SVT Play.

Photo: SVT / TT

Sören Pape Poulsen has been highlighted as a role model for M. Last year, Ulf Kristersson invited him to the Riksdag.

During pomp and circumstance, the Danish protagonist told about his successes with the gangs, carpaccio and char were served, and posed for photos with Ulf Kristersson and KD leader Ebba Busch.

Do you think that you are seen as a role model by the conservative leaders in Sweden?

- Yes, I must say.

I really think they listened and were interested.

The Politburo's latest section "Tough & Tougher" is about how politicians compete to launch harsher punishments, more police and more wiretapping. But are it the toughest proposals that break the gangs and win the battle for the voters? Watch the whole episode here on SVT Play.