The murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in the USA has prompted Swedish politician Jimmie Åkesson to call for heightened security measures in Sweden. Åkesson reflects on the vulnerability of public figures in a polarized climate and stresses the need for a robust protection system. The incident has sparked discussions on the safety of political figures and the importance of maintaining open democratic dialogues.
Jimmie Åkesson Calls for Increased Security After Charlie Kirk's Murder
Jimmie Åkesson Calls for Increased Security After Charlie Kirk's Murder
The murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in the USA has sent shockwaves. According to Jimmie Åkesson, it should have implications for the Swedish election campaign.
– I was sitting this morning thinking about all the election meetings one has to hold and how exposed one actually is, says the SD leader.
Among young Sweden Democrats, the news of Charlie Kirk's murder was met with dismay. Several people Expressen spoke to emphasized that they grew up watching him on YouTube, and that he shaped many of their opinions.
Jimmie Åkesson did not have a close connection to Kirk, but he has also followed his work on social media. He finds it distinctly American, yet inspiring and often polite.
– One has watched quite a bit of these confrontations he had with direct political opponents at various universities. It is both inspiring and an interesting approach to political discourse, says the SD leader.
His murder has been shocking, according to Åkesson.
– One is appalled. That we have such a climate where debaters are actually killed. It is shocking in many ways.
SD Accustomed to Harassment and Threats
The murder raises questions about the safety of debaters and elected officials in an increasingly polarized debate climate. At the same time, Jimmie Åkesson claims that he and his party are accustomed to violent disruptions, counter-demonstrations, harassment, and threats.
– We have built much of our party apparatus around that knowledge. There is protection around me and others. Personally, I am not afraid in everyday life, says Jimmie Åkesson.
The SD leader adds that he has nevertheless reflected on his own safety during the day, ahead of upcoming election meetings in the Swedish election campaign next year.
– At the same time, I think one should not have to think like that. In Sweden, one should be able to hold a completely open election campaign and travel around the country to meet voters. That is how one envisions a Swedish election campaign – but it is no longer as obvious.
Åkesson Demands Increased Security
According to Jimmie Åkesson, it is "obvious" that the Swedish protection apparatus needs to be ramped up. And he believes that Säpo shares this view.
– But as usual, it is a question of resources and personnel availability and competence supply and such things that are not entirely easy to address.
He points to how Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin was recently followed by pro-Palestinian demonstrators after a party meeting in Gamla stan, without personal protection. And it is not the first time politicians are harassed outside work or at their homes, according to the SD leader.
– It must not happen again. Many people talk about it, that no one responsible will react properly until something really serious happens. We must not reach that point.
What responsibility do you politicians have for the tone being so heightened?
– I think most politicians handle it quite well. Of course, there is a constantly ongoing discussion about tone and how to relate to each other. We all have a shared responsibility not to exaggerate polarization and constantly misinterpret our opponents. We are quite bad at that overall in Sweden today, says Jimmie Åkesson.
Met Kirk in the USA
Party colleague Mattias Karlsson was appointed on Thursday as chairman of the Riksdag's Foreign Affairs Committee, during Aron Emilsson's parental leave. In his role as international secretary for the Sweden Democrats, Karlsson has traveled extensively in the USA – and even visited Charlie Kirk on one occasion.
– He is an incredibly charismatic, brave person with strong opinions that I absolutely did not share. At least I disagreed with him on a number of issues. But I also agreed with him on some things, not least in the defense of freedom of speech.
Mattias Karlsson calls the murder shocking. He describes seeing the video circulating on social media, where Charlie Kirk is hit by the fatal shot, as a mistake.
The murder is loaded with special symbolism, according to Karlsson.
– When someone sits with a microphone in hand, trying to engage in dialogue. And as Charlie Kirk often did, inviting opponents to express their opinions. To be stopped in the middle of that by a bullet through the throat... It is hard to imagine a stronger symbol of a threat to democracy and the open society.