The background is the government's and the Sweden Democrats' announcement on Friday that they want to ban hunters from having semi-automatic weapons of military type, such as AR-15. The decision sparked a storm of criticism within the SD and after a party executive meeting on Monday, Jomshof announced his resignation.
I think you should take him at his word that it's about the issue itself. There have been many struggles around Jomshof over many years and nothing has previously made him step down from a post, says Andreas Johansson Heinö, political scientist and publisher at Timbro.
The weapons issue has an important symbolic value for many members and activists within the SD, according to Johansson Heinö.
The Sweden Democrats have a self-image of representing the ordinary person who should be left in peace from political detailed regulations.
Swedish hunters are seen as a natural core voter group, even though it's a large group, and they think that they, through the government's actions together with the SD, are being unfairly blamed for the murders in Örebro.
"Could have stood firm"
At the same time, the issue represents the concern about the SD's relationship with the other parties in the Tidö cooperation and how much the party is willing to adapt.
During these two and a half years with Tidö, there has been concern in some parts of the Sweden Democrats – "are we adapting too much, are we losing our profile now?", says Johansson Heinö.
I think it's that reflex that's now being triggered in the weapons issue, they think this is an issue where they really should have been able to stand firm.
The unique thing about the weapons issue is also that it hasn't been a subject of conflict within the party before and that many have assumed there is a consensus.
Heavy but not decisive
Jomshof, however, has a likely future within the party, believes Johansson Heinö.
He is one of the heavier ones, but he is not decisive. He is not one of those expected to become a minister, he is perceived as too radical to be able to sit in government. That gives him more room to be outspoken.
For party leader Jimmie Åkesson, it's now important that the conflict doesn't escalate.
It's about having a small damage control now. To keep it together parallel to being a reliable cooperation partner with the Tidö parties.
