Political Turmoil: Calls for Minister Johan Forssell to Address Alleged Extremist Ties
V demands that Johan Forssell be summoned to the social insurance committee as soon as possible. S and MP support the demand and criticize the government for "dodging all questions" about his relative's connections to right-wing extremism.
– Anonymous sources claiming everything was handled correctly is not enough, says Niklas Karlsson (S).
A relative of Migration Minister Johan Forssell has been involved in right-wing extremist circles for about a year, revealed Expo last week.
The individual has participated in activities with the Nazi group Aktivklubb Sverige, had contact with the Nordic Resistance Movement, and put up right-wing extremist stickers.
The government has so far declined to comment on the matter, and Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer has been reticent.
– As soon as this came to the minister's attention, all security protocols were followed, said a source close to the government to Expressen last week.
Forssell also confirmed this in an anonymous interview with TT.
"Since I became aware of this, I have immediately acted according to the applicable security protocols. I have had close cooperation with the Security Police," said Forssell.
Left Party: "Must Lay the Cards on the Table"
This prompted the Left Party's migration policy spokesperson Tony Haddou on Wednesday to demand that Johan Forssell come to the social insurance committee for a hearing on the matter, something Expressen was the first to report.
– He must lay the cards on the table, says Tony Haddou.
Among other things, he wants answers on what the minister knew about the matter and whether it has affected asylum and migration policy.
The Social Democrats support the initiative, says Niklas Karlsson (S), Member of Parliament and chairman of the tax committee.
He wants Forssell to break the silence and appear to answer questions.
– It is remarkable that the government dodges all questions from the media, and we think it is reasonable for a minister to come to parliament and explain how the government has acted in this matter. Anonymous sources saying everything was handled correctly is not enough, he says.
Niklas Karlsson wants the government to disclose how they handled the matter.
– When did they receive the information? When was Kristersson informed? What measures have been taken after the information reached the government offices?
Green Party: Government's Double Standards
The Green Party also supports V's demand.
– Violent extremism poses a threat to our society, and of course, such connections must be scrutinized. We need to know how and if it has affected Sweden's security, says the party's migration policy spokesperson Annika Hirvonen in a statement and continues:
– Johan Forssell and the government have had a very high tone when it comes to the responsibility one has for their relatives' connections to, for example, gang crime – now they seem to have a very different approach. It is incredibly remarkable.
Sweden Democrats: "A Bit Odd"
The Sweden Democrats' Ludvig Aspling, a member of the social insurance committee, thinks it is "a bit odd" that the minister is called to the committee.
– It is a strange order. Personal relationships are usually not discussed in committees. It has probably never happened before.
He dismisses the Left Party's question about whether the government's asylum and migration policy could have been influenced by the relative's right-wing extremist involvement. He says the government has already been clear about the policy they stand for.
– All speculations about that are unnecessary, all policy is established in the Tidö Agreement.