Swedish Left Party members Daniel Riazat and Lorena Delgado Varas have been expelled, sparking criticism of the party's leadership. The expulsions follow accusations of inappropriate behavior and internal disagreements, highlighting tensions within the party.
Daniel Riazat and Lorena Delgado Varas Expelled from the Left Party
Daniel Riazat and Lorena Delgado Varas Expelled from the Left Party
Members of Parliament Daniel Riazat and Lorena Delgado Varas have been expelled from the Left Party. They announced this themselves on social media. "The fact that we are both now expelled says a lot about the direction the party has chosen to take," Delgado Varas wrote on Instagram.
In early May, the Left Party's executive committee decided to remove Lorena Delgado Varas from the parliamentary group after she shared an image accused of being anti-Semitic. She was also urged to resign from her political duties for the party but refused.
Now, she is instead expelled, Delgado Varas herself writes on Instagram.
"I am deeply disappointed and angry. Being expelled from the party is a painful and unjust process in itself, but it hurts even more that my comrade and friend Daniel Riazat is affected in the same way," she writes.
Refusal to Leave After "Ultimatum"
Riazat criticized Delgado Varas's removal in the spring and chose to resign from the executive committee at the same time.
He also comments on the expulsion on Instagram. He writes that on Tuesday, he received "an ultimatum" from the party's top leadership to leave all party assignments, and after refusing, he received an email stating that an expulsion case had been initiated.
"I have not received any documentation on what grounds this is happening," he writes.
According to him, this has been "planned for a long time" without him receiving any information about it.
"This is deeply undemocratic and shows the divisive strategy the Left Party's leadership has chosen," Riazat writes on Instagram.
Delgado Varas's Criticism of the Left Party Leadership
Delgado Varas also criticizes the leadership.
"It makes me both sad and angry to see how internal democracy is sidelined and how loyalty to the party's fundamental values is questioned when we raise our voices," she writes on Instagram and continues:
"This is not just a personal betrayal against me and Daniel, but also a betrayal against all the members and voters who expect a party that stands up for its principles even when it is challenging."
Left Party's Response: "Inappropriate Behavior"
The Left Party confirms that two expulsion cases have been initiated.
"Daniel Riazat has acted inappropriately and in a manner not compatible with holding a position of trust for the Left Party. I informed him of this and urged him to resign from his positions of trust. I have been informed that he refuses to do so. As a result, an expulsion case is now opened," writes party secretary Maria Forsberg in a text message to Expressen.
She continues:
"Lorena Delgado Varas has been given time to resign herself but has chosen not to cooperate, and an expulsion case has been opened for her as well."
Expressen is seeking comments from Lorena Delgado Varas and Daniel Riazat.
Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch (KD) praises and criticizes the Left Party following the decision to initiate expulsion cases.
On X, she thanks Nooshi Dadgostar for "finally taking action," but continues:
"The big question is why the Left Party's leadership waited so incredibly long to act. It is a small comfort that the expulsion is now happening, considering that the Left's tardiness may be a result of a fear of losing voters."