SD in Talks with Stegrud: 'No Intention to Offend'

The Sweden Democrats' (SD) group leader has held discussions with Jessica Stegrud following her controversial statement. "I perceive that it was not her intention to offend anyone," says group leader Linda Lindberg. Stegrud herself describes the statement as "an observation of our times."

Throughout the day, SD's top figure Jessica Stegrud has faced heavy criticism for her post where she referred to Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand (M) and cultural policy spokesperson Lawen Redar (S) as "a Swedish-born Kurd and a Persian."

Following the criticism, including from Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), SD's group leader Linda Lindberg has had discussions with Stegrud.

"Today, I have had a dialogue with Jessica about the importance of being clear when writing on social media so that messages cannot be freely interpreted by others," Lindberg says in a comment to Expressen.

"I perceive that it was not her intention to offend anyone or specifically point to an origin, but it was a description of the present, yet I also understand the reactions that have come," she continues.

Linda Lindberg also states that she continues to have confidence in Jessica Stegrud, whom she describes as "one of several people with important roles for the party."

"Based on our dialogue, she has taken our conversation to heart," says Lindberg.

Jessica Stegrud herself claims that the post was an "observation."

"My tweet was an observation of our times and was neither about competence nor the right to participate in the debate," she says.

Liljestrand: 'Look at SD's White Paper'

Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand (M) calls Stegrud's communication "very unclear." She says this in Wednesday's "Aktuellt" on SVT. Stegrud commented on a debate about the government's cultural canon, which SD also supports.

"In such a debate, Jessica Stegrud chooses to focus on ethnicity and background instead of the issue at hand. It's strange, I think," says Parisa Liljestrand.

Posts of this type can make people feel excluded from the societal debate, and that is serious, she believes.

"Of course, with this type of unclear statements and with the background that SD has, it requires taking even greater responsibility to be clear when talking about issues related to ethnicity and background.

"Just look at the white paper that SD themselves have produced."