Paulina Brandberg mentioned her banana phobia a few years ago on X, which Expressen has noticed. Her phobia is so strong that measures are taken before she goes to meetings. When Speaker Andreas Norlén invited her to a chat, the information was emailed that "no traces of bananas may be present in the room".
The banana phobia has not in any way affected the government work, says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to TT.
I have all respect for people who have different phobias.
The news has spread widely, also internationally, by Politico which writes: "This is bananas!".
I get disturbed when a hardworking minister is almost reduced to a phobia and people make fun of it. I think one should hold oneself back from that, says Kristersson.
The minister is not alone in her phobia. Also Teresa Carvalho, The Social Democrats' law policy spokesperson, has the same strong, irrational fear of the fruit, she writes on X where she gives Brandberg her support.
"We may have had many tough debates about conditions in working life, but in this issue we stand united against a common enemy", writes the Member of Parliament.
Paulina Brandberg states in writing to Expressen that the phobia "is something I get professional help with".
