Tobias Baudin, a top Social Democrat, criticizes Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson for losing control over his coalition, calling him the 'weakest prime minister' Sweden has had. The controversy arose from SD member Jessica Stegrud's comments on cultural politicians' origins, sparking a heated exchange within the Tidö coalition. Kristersson's response to the situation and a separate incident involving a controversial scarf worn by an SSU leader have further fueled political tensions.
Baudin Criticizes Kristersson as 'Weakest Prime Minister in History'
Baudin Criticizes Kristersson as 'Weakest Prime Minister in History'
Cabinet members have lined up to criticize SD leader Jessica Stegrud's remarks. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) has 'lost control' over the government coalition, according to Social Democrat leader Tobias Baudin.
- He should go down in history as the weakest prime minister we have had in our country, he says.
The conflict within the Tidö coalition was triggered by SD member Jessica Stegrud's comments on the origins of cultural politicians. In a post on X, she suggested it was 'telling' that 'a Swedish-born Kurd and a Persian' were debating Sweden's new cultural canon on Aktuellt.
On Thursday, the Tidö parties held a joint press conference proposing a reduction in food VAT. However, focus quickly shifted to Stegrud's post and its implications.
- I don't think an explanation has been provided. But it's not primarily my headache, says Ulf Kristersson at the press conference.
Åkesson quickly countered:
- I disagree.
'Not Taking Responsibility'
The sharp exchange suggests that the prime minister is finding it increasingly difficult to keep the Tidö parties united, says Tobias Baudin, party secretary for the Social Democrats.
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Now he stands before the Swedish people at a press conference and argues with Jimmie Åkesson, who is the leader of the largest party in the government coalition. It's as if he doesn't realize he has been prime minister for three years, and that one is prime minister every day of the year, every hour of the day. And now suddenly it's 'not his headache,' he says and continues:
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He is not taking responsibility. I think he should go down in history as the weakest prime minister we have had in our country.
The Words About the Palestinian Scarves
During yesterday's verbal clash, Kristersson took the opportunity to criticize the Social Democrats, posting a picture of SSU leader Moska Hassas from last Thursday when she wore a criticized Palestinian scarf with Islamist messages during a demonstration where several S associations gathered for a peace manifestation in Gaza.
'I keep my side clean. Do you do the same on yours?' Kristersson wrote in the post directed at S leader Magdalena Andersson.
Hassas has distanced herself from the message on the scarf. She claims she did not know what was on the scarf when she wore it because it was not her own.
'I want to be clear that this was a mistake,' she wrote in a post on X.
Tobias Baudin argues that the party has taken responsibility and that the Social Democrats are clear in their desire for a two-state solution.
- If there are individuals in side organizations who act differently or with an incorrect message, then of course one should back away from this, and I perceive that this has been done, he says.