Aday Bethkinne, a local politician in Botkyrka, resigns from the Christian Democrats after calling the Pride parade a 'train of confusion'. He cites a shift in the party's values as his reason for leaving.
KD Politician Resigns Amid Pride Parade Controversy
KD Politician Resigns Amid Pride Parade Controversy
Local politician Aday Bethkinne is leaving the Christian Democrats. He announced this on X shortly after referring to the Pride parade as a 'train of confusion'. 'Unfortunately, KD has changed in a direction I cannot support,' Bethkinne writes.
Aday Bethkinne was the second most voted politician in Botkyrka in the 2022 election and has been part of the local KD board. Now, he is leaving the Christian Democrats.
As an explanation for his departure, Bethkinne states that the Christian Democrats have changed in the wrong direction, particularly regarding family policy.
'The party no longer stands up for Christian values and has lost its Christian compass,' Bethkinne writes on X, stating that he has 'fought in vain for change within KD'.
Recently, Aday Bethkinne faced heavy criticism for calling the Pride parade in Stockholm a 'train of confusion' in a social media post. In the picture, he posed next to Christian activist Gabriel Külen, who wore a T-shirt with a homophobic message.
Stina Lundgren (M), chair of the municipal council in Botkyrka, recently told Mitti Stockholm that she condemns the post and that an internal meeting with Bethkinne would be held.
Not Planning to Run
Member of Parliament Yusuf Aydin, chair of KD in Botkyrka and substitute in the party board, says they have not received any further explanation from Aday Bethkinne beyond what he has stated on social media.
- We have not asked him to resign. However, he already announced in May when the nomination process began that he does not intend to run in the next election. He had already planned to leave. Whether recent events have accelerated the process, I do not know.
Regarding the criticism of Bethkinne's Pride statement, Yusuf Aydin says:
- It is an unfortunate wording. I would not have expressed it that way. It is not about him being against any people, but rather certain issues he has reacted to. But he will have to answer for that part.
Expressen has sought comments from Aday Bethkinne and the Christian Democrats.