Publicistklubben's post-election debate: SVT's Agenda was praised for in-depth election debates

This week, the Publicistklubben arranged its traditional post-election debate, where representatives of the parties reviewed the media.

How was the coverage? Were there any bottom pacifiers? And was the balance right between the political game and the substantive issues?

These are important questions without given answers, where some of the criticism may be worth thinking about.

Because, of course, the parties' election leaders, press managers and more do not provide any conclusion on the Publicists Club's chairman Camilla Kvartoft's questions. But sometimes they can contribute with clues.

Above all, there is at least one point of view from the evening to take note of: The debates that SVT's Agenda broadcast three Sundays in a row before the election - where one area at a time was discussed by politicians from all Riksdag parties - had a good approach.

Politics is teamwork rather than one-man shows.

Because unlike in the party leader debates, where a lot has to be discussed in a short time, the subjects of economy, climate and migration were given almost an hour each. Even that was certainly too short, according to some on the panel. But this kind of deepening can advantageously be given more space - not only during election years, but in general, where Agenda's special program "The Climate Challenge" from 2021 can serve as a model.

There, around two hours were spent calmly and methodically going through the issue. Partly by experts, who explained the situation. Partly by the representatives of the Riksdag parties, who talked about their party's policies, with plenty of time for follow-up questions.

In these contexts, the parties also get the opportunity to send forward people other than the party leaders, which is important in itself. Politics is teamwork rather than one-man shows – and among the debaters will be potential future ministers and negotiators.

So it is relevant to see debates with Janine Alm Ericson (MP) on the economy, Martin Kinnunen (SD) on climate and Niels Paarup-Petersen (C) on migration, which voters could do this year. Not as a replacement for traditional party leader debates and Prime Minister duels, but as a clarifying supplement.

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