Former Vänsterpartiet leader Lars Ohly criticizes the party's decision to potentially expel Lorena Delgado Vara and Daniel Riazat, calling it a 'clear own goal.' The controversy stems from a social media post by Delgado Vara, which was criticized as antisemitic. Ohly warns that such actions could alienate young voters and drive them to smaller, more sectarian parties.
Lars Ohly Criticizes Vänsterpartiet's Potential Expulsions: 'A Clear Own Goal'
Lars Ohly Criticizes Vänsterpartiet's Potential Expulsions: 'A Clear Own Goal'
Former Vänsterpartiet leader Lars Ohly criticizes the announcement that Delgado Vara and Riazat may be expelled from the party. He believes political parties should be cautious in using formal measures in matters of opinion.
– It's a clear own goal, he says.
On Wednesday, the two members of parliament themselves announced that Vänsterpartiet has initiated expulsion proceedings against them.
"I am deeply disappointed and angry," wrote Lorena Delgado Varas on Instagram.
The background to the party's decision is an image she shared on X earlier this April, related to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The image was heavily criticized for being antisemitic and was reported to the police by the Jewish Central Council, but the investigation was closed.
Delgado Varas later removed—and apologized for—the post, but was subsequently excluded from Vänsterpartiet's parliamentary group. A decision that Daniel Riazat protested by resigning from his position on the party board.
Ohly: 'Could Drive Away the Young'
Lars Ohly, who led V from 2004 to 2012, left the party in 2018. He is sharply critical of the party's actions regarding Lorena Delgado Varas and Daniel Riazat.
– It's a clear own goal. On social media, I've seen many who say they've lost hope in the party and don't know who to vote for in the next election, says Lars Ohly.
Political parties should be cautious in using formal measures in matters of opinion, he argues.
– When I became party leader, I said we should have 'high ceilings and long distances to the door.' You should be able to debate but also stand up for each other, says Lars Ohly.
'Hope the Party Board Changes Its Mind'
Lars Ohly compares it to the Vietnam War during the 60s and 70s. Back then, the party, then called Vänsterpartiet kommunisterna, failed to capture the youth's engagement against the war, he argues.
Now they risk making the same mistake again, he believes.
– It risks attracting voters and members to smaller and more sectarian parties, which could gain influence that is not needed in Swedish politics. Additionally, it could drive away young people who are very engaged in protests against Israel, says Lars Ohly.
The formal decision on expulsion will be made by Vänsterpartiet's board.
– There are several wise people on the board, so I hope they change their minds. Otherwise, there's a risk that next year's congress will only be about expulsion cases. And that's not good when it's an election year, says Lars Ohly.
More Critical Voices
The announcement has also been met with harsh criticism from several other left-wing figures—both opinion leaders and former politicians in Vänsterpartiet.
Rossana Dinamarca, who was a member of parliament for the party between 2002–2018, has shared the post where Daniel Riazat writes about the expulsion. John Hörnquist, former chairman of the party in Greater Stockholm, has also done so.
On Instagram, Jenny Bengtsson, a columnist at Dagens ETC and previously active in several roles within Vänsterpartiet, states that she has requested to leave the party.
The reason is the announcement of the expulsion cases.
"This feeling has grown over time. I've followed how the party has changed and how it's governed, and I simply don't like it," writes Jenny Bengtsson.