On Expressen Debatt Jessica Stegrud maintains that it is "telling" that S and M are represented by people with immigrant backgrounds in cultural issues. For a long time, it was only Sweden Democrats and "intellectual immigrants" who talked about Swedish culture, according to Stegrud.
"The debate about Swedishness and Swedish culture has long been so infected that it is usually only conducted by either us Sweden Democrats or by intellectuals, prominent people with immigrant backgrounds. That - in turn - is a bad grade", writes Stegrud.
She writes that she did not mean to offend or belittle anyone.
Liljestrand: "Strange"
Stegrud wrote on Tuesday on X that it was "telling" that "a Swedish-born Kurd and a Persian" debated the cultural canon in Aktuellt, referring to S's cultural policy spokesperson Lawen Redar and Minister of Culture Parisa Liljestrand (M).
The Minister of Culture welcomes that Stegrud has clarified what was the intention behind her tweet.
"I still think it's strange to focus on ethnicity rather than the issues we debated", writes Parisa Liljestrand.
Wave of criticism
Minister for Development Cooperation Benjamin Dousa (M) wrote on Saturday in DN that Stegrud's comment "felt" and that it "was like being pushed away". He believes that it is still obvious that the Sweden Democrats have a completely different view of Swedishness.
We believe much more in an open Swedishness, says Dousa to TT.
It's about a combination of tough demands and expectations, but also an invitation, he continues.
If you cross that threshold, you should be able to become just as Swedish as someone whose relatives have lived in Sweden since the 1400s.
Can this become a burden for M in the election campaign, considering that it is your cooperation party?
I wouldn't say that. The Tidö cooperation has never been about four parties becoming one, but there are many issues where we think very differently.
Stegrud's statement led to a wave of criticism from several ministers in the government. At a press conference a few days later, the atmosphere was tense between Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) and SD leader Jimmie Åkesson. Kristersson did not think he had received any explanation, while Åkesson thought the matter was closed.
