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Valdemar Holt at the Department of Political Science winner of the Swedish Parliament's essay competition 2022!

Screensaver from the Riksdag's web about the essay contest 2022.

Valdemar Holt, Department of Political Science at Lund University, has written the essay "Alienation suspected". The essay examines – based on party leader debates in the Riksdag – the Social Democrats' and Moderaterna's views on the concept of exclusion between 2010 and 2022.

From the prize committee's motivation: The essay contains an impressive qualitative analysis of how the discourse on the concept of exclusion has changed based on a review of debates with the party leaders of two major parliamentary parties. The thesis is well rooted in previous research in the field. The essay commendably contributes valuable knowledge in a subject with political topicality.

About the essay contest

The Parliamentary Essay Competition has been established to promote knowledge and research about parliament and to highlight the importance of research and science. The competition is held every year and is open to students at bachelor's and master's level who have written an essay related to the Swedish Parliament.

"This year's winners contribute in a creditable way to knowledge of the work of the Riksdag and the democratic process. The laureates have studied the actions and rhetoric of different parties on current issues, which contributes to an increased understanding of contemporary politics, says Speaker Andreas Norlén.

The entries have been judged by a prize committee consisting of, among others, the President and the three Vice-Presidents. Following the recommendation of the committee, Parliamentary Director Ingvar Mattson has since decided on the winners. The two winners will receive a diploma and a gift. An award ceremony and a seminar will be held in the First Chamber Hall to commemorate the essays on Wednesday, February 22.

Read more about: Essay competition for students

See also

Thomas Larue, Head of Secretariat at the Evaluation and Research Secretariat, e-mail: thomas [dot] larue [at] riksdagen [dot] se, phone: 08-786 66 67

Pernilla Eldblom, President's Press Secretary, e-mail: thomas [dot] larue [at] riksdagen [dot] se, phone: 08-786 59 14