Stenergard on the attack: Very unpleasant

Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) had tomatoes thrown at her during a debate in the parliament's chamber. It was a very unpleasant situation, she says to TT.

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Stenergard on the attack: Very unpleasant
Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT

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The Minister for Foreign Affairs emphasizes that the Riksdag is the stronghold of democracy and that those who debate there must feel safe.

It is lamentable that this can happen, says the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

When asked if she was scared, Stenergard responds.

I didn't know what was thrown, so it was clearly a very unpleasant situation.

Stenergard adds that she supports the Prime Minister's demand that the incident must be evaluated and conclusions drawn.

I look forward to receiving them.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs does not want to comment on the security in the chamber, but refers the question to the Riksdag.

What do you think about the political climate?

I am concerned about it. I think we all have a responsibility to tone down the rhetoric.

In the debate that preceded this, there was a very high tone that I don't think belongs in the Riksdag's chamber.

Stenergard hopes for more sensible debates in the future.

These are genuinely difficult issues that must be debated, but they must also be able to take place in a reasonable manner. There are also school classes sitting in the gallery, and I think it's lamentable that they get to witness this.

It was on Thursday that the Minister for Foreign Affairs had to flee a debate in the Riksdag after Palestine activists in the gallery threw a bag of tomatoes and onions at her.

The bag flew over the members sitting in the chamber and landed two seats behind the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Both Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (The Moderate Party) and the Speaker of the Riksdag Andreas Norlén have condemned the attack. The Speaker calls the activists' actions "directly antidemocratic". Kristersson demands powerful measures to maintain security.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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