Swedish MP Daniel Riazat has called a press conference following the Left Party's decision to initiate expulsion proceedings against him and colleague Lorena Delgado Varas. The controversy stems from Riazat's social media post criticizing Western hypocrisy on Palestine, and Delgado Varas's alleged antisemitic post. Both politicians have refused to resign despite party pressure.
Daniel Riazat Faces Expulsion from Left Party Amid Controversy
Daniel Riazat Faces Expulsion from Left Party Amid Controversy
Swedish MP Daniel Riazat has urgently called a press conference in the parliament. This follows his and colleague Lorena Delgado Varas's announcement that the Left Party has initiated expulsion proceedings against them.
This week, both Delgado Varas and Riazat revealed on social media that they are being forced out of the Left Party after the initiation of expulsion proceedings.
Riazat has now called a press conference at 2 PM on Sunday, stating on Facebook that the party leadership wanted him to resign as early as October 2023. The reason was a Facebook post accusing the Western world of "hypocrisy" regarding Palestine. According to Riazat, the current statements are "side issues."
Refused to Leave Despite Urging
On Saturday evening, Delgado Varas also posted on Facebook, criticizing the Left Party's leadership.
"The problem is not my willingness to cooperate, but the conditions prevailing in parliament. The work is not conducted through dialogue but is characterized by bullying, exclusion, and dominance techniques," she wrote.
Lorena Delgado Varas was removed from the Left Party's parliamentary group in early May after sharing an image accused of being antisemitic. The party board simultaneously urged her to resign from her political duties, but she refused.
Riazat criticized Delgado Varas's removal in the spring and chose to leave the party board at the same time.
Left Party: Inappropriate Conduct
The Left Party has confirmed that two expulsion proceedings 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 proceeding is now being opened," wrote party secretary Maria Forsberg in a text message to Expressen on Wednesday.
She continued:
"Lorena Delgado Varas has been given time to resign voluntarily but has chosen not to cooperate, and an expulsion proceeding has been opened for her as well."
The text is being updated.