The Speaker: Throwing tomatoes is directly antidemocratic

Updated:

Published:

The Speaker: Throwing tomatoes is directly antidemocratic
Photo: Jakob Åkersten Brodén/TT

Parties participating in Palestine demonstrations must take responsibility for individuals who vandalize, says The Moderate Party's party secretary Karin Enström after the tomato attack on the foreign minister in parliament. Speaker Andreas Norlén calls the incident antidemocratic.

Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard had to flee from Thursday's interpellation debate after someone in the gallery threw a bag with tomato and onion at her. The debate concerned Sweden's abstention in the UN vote on Israel and the West Bank,

Unacceptable, says Karin Enström, who demands accountability from parties participating in demonstrations.

"The Riksdag parties that cultivate and participate in Palestine demonstrations must now step forward and take responsibility for their followers, who behave in this manner. That activists disrupt a debate in the Riksdag chamber and throw objects at Sweden's Foreign Minister is totally unacceptable and disrespectful to Swedish democracy", she writes in a comment to TT.

S: A threat to democracy

Speaker Andreas Norlén also reacts strongly:

"Today's event in the chamber is completely unacceptable and directly antidemocratic. It's bad enough to disrupt the Riksdag's meetings with noise and shouting, but when objects are thrown into the chamber, another boundary has been crossed", he writes.

S leader Magdalena Andersson calls the incident despicable.

"This is not just an attack on a minister, or the Swedish government. This is a threat to our open Swedish democracy. There is no defense, and no excuses, for such behavior", she writes in a comment.

Kristersson wants analysis

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson "expects forceful measures" and an analysis of how it could happen.

"I am proud that Sweden has a competent and upright Foreign Minister who holds the government's line on conflicts in the Middle East. No one should be allowed to threaten or throw objects at her", he writes.

Tags

Author

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

More news

Gävle Shooting: Pub Staff Aid Injured Victims

Gävle Shooting: Pub Staff Aid Injured Victims

Police Seek Information After Linköping Shooting Injures Man

Police Seek Information After Linköping Shooting Injures Man

Kristersson Reacts to Gävle Shooting: "Shocking" Incident

Kristersson Reacts to Gävle Shooting: "Shocking" Incident

Eat Sustainably: Tips from EAT-Lancet for a Healthier Planet

Eat Sustainably: Tips from EAT-Lancet for a Healthier Planet

Man Detained in Växjö on Suspicion of Murder After Woman Found Dead

Man Detained in Växjö on Suspicion of Murder After Woman Found Dead

Storm Amy Disrupts Air and Train Traffic in Southern Sweden

Storm Amy Disrupts Air and Train Traffic in Southern Sweden

13-Year-Old Arrested in Gävle Shooting; Six Injured

13-Year-Old Arrested in Gävle Shooting; Six Injured

Explosion Damages Västerås Apartment Gate; Two Minors Suspected

Explosion Damages Västerås Apartment Gate; Two Minors Suspected

Swedish Man with Gang Ties Fatally Shot in Marbella

Swedish Man with Gang Ties Fatally Shot in Marbella

Moderate Party Proposes Tougher Penalties for Stalking Crimes

Moderate Party Proposes Tougher Penalties for Stalking Crimes

Motorcyclist in 30s Dies in Västerås Accident

Motorcyclist in 30s Dies in Västerås Accident

Antarctica Faces Rapid Ice Melt Similar to Greenland, Study Reveals

Antarctica Faces Rapid Ice Melt Similar to Greenland, Study Reveals

Linköping Shooting: Man Hospitalized, Police Investigate

Linköping Shooting: Man Hospitalized, Police Investigate

Foreign Ministry Advises Against Non-Essential Travel to Madagascar

Foreign Ministry Advises Against Non-Essential Travel to Madagascar

Cyberattack Hits Karlskrona Cogeneration Plant

Cyberattack Hits Karlskrona Cogeneration Plant

Teenager Seriously Injured in Malmö Brawl Investigated as Attempted Murder

Teenager Seriously Injured in Malmö Brawl Investigated as Attempted Murder

South Korea Apologizes for Mismanaged Adoptions to Sweden

South Korea Apologizes for Mismanaged Adoptions to Sweden

Public Health Agency to Study Impact of Adults' Screen Time on Children

Public Health Agency to Study Impact of Adults' Screen Time on Children

Kristersson Warns Synagogue Attacks Could Occur Elsewhere

Kristersson Warns Synagogue Attacks Could Occur Elsewhere

Malmö Couple Sentenced for Operating Doping Factory

Malmö Couple Sentenced for Operating Doping Factory