The Green Party has filed a constitutional review request against Ebba Busch, Sweden's Deputy Prime Minister, following her controversial statements on the government's Israel policy. The move comes after Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced a shift in Sweden's stance, seeking to freeze the EU's trade agreement with Israel. Busch's comments, which some see as conflicting with the Prime Minister's position, have sparked calls for clarity in Sweden's foreign policy.
Ebba Busch Faces Constitutional Review Over Israel Policy Remarks
Ebba Busch Faces Constitutional Review Over Israel Policy Remarks
The Green Party has filed a constitutional review request against Ebba Busch (Christian Democrats) following her statements on the government's Israel policy, seeking an investigation into her actions.
– When it comes to foreign policy, it is especially important that the government maintains a consistent and clear line, says Emma Berginger (Green Party), Member of Parliament.
The statements were made after the turbulence within the Tidö parties, following Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's (Moderate Party) announcement that Sweden is now reversing its stance and wants to freeze the EU's trade agreement with Israel.
Several representatives from the Moderate Party, Christian Democrats, Liberals, and Sweden Democrats have questioned the reversal, including Energy and Business Minister Ebba Busch, who is also Deputy Prime Minister.
Call for Investigation
Busch recently stated that the communication regarding the government's new line has been misleading and has placed too much responsibility on Israel. She called for greater clarity on the demands on Hamas, and additionally stated:
– Israel is doing the world a service by trying to neutralize Hamas and dissolve Hamas.
This statement is among those the Green Party now wants to be reviewed by the Riksdag's Committee on the Constitution.
Emma Berginger, the member submitting the review request, writes:
“I want the Committee on the Constitution to review Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch's actions in light of the government's new approach regarding freezing the trade part of the EU's association agreement with Israel. I also want the Committee to review whether the government's communication regarding the Prime Minister's newly stated line towards Israel has been effective.”
“Unclear”
Furthermore, the Green Party member believes that Ebba Busch's statements stand “in sharp contrast” to the Prime Minister's statements on Gaza, highlighting that it risks leading to ambiguity.
– When Busch questions the government's stated policy, which the Prime Minister has announced the government will pursue, it becomes unclear what the government's foreign policy line actually is, says Emma Berginger.
Busch's emphasis that statements from the government have become unbalanced and overly focused on Israel's responsibility, Berginger argues, creates ambiguity around Swedish foreign policy and the actual stance on Israel/Gaza.
– For outsiders, not least international foreign actors, it can be difficult to distinguish between statements Busch makes in her role as a minister and Deputy Prime Minister and those she might make as a party leader.
On Thursday evening, Busch hit back at her critics in a lengthy social media post.
Among other things, she claimed that her statements had been deliberately skewed by “media and celebrities,” leading to threats and hate. She called the actions “shameful.”