Louise Meijer, leader of the Moderates’ group in the justice committee, has labeled the recent opposition demands to remove Richard Jomshof (SD) from his chairmanship as “domestic political wrangling.” The united opposition parties, consisting of the Social Democrats, Left Party, Center Party, and Green Party, held a joint press conference on Monday to announce their intention to vote on Jomshof’s position as chairman of the Riksdag’s justice committee.
The controversy surrounds comments made by Richard Jomshof during the summer, where he expressed his views on Islam, freedom of expression, and the burning of the Quran. According to Ardalan Shekarabi (S), one of the opposition members, Jomshof’s remarks included calls for book burnings and sharing posts that insulted the Prime Minister. The opposition argues that Jomshof’s comments have escalated an already precarious situation, leading to strong reactions against Sweden in the Muslim world. The Security Police have recently upgraded Sweden’s status from a “legitimate target” to a “priority target” for violent extremists.
Focus on National Security: Criticism of Political Wrangling During Sensitive Times
The opposition’s focus on Jomshof’s actions has drawn criticism from within the Moderate party itself. Louise Meijer believes that the opposition is misguided in their efforts. While expressing regret at the opposition’s attempt to engage in internal political infighting, Meijer emphasizes the need for Sweden to prioritize its security policies instead. Meijer asserts that the well-being of Sweden should be the center of attention for all parties involved, including Jomshof and the Social Democrats.
In response to the opposition’s demands, Richard Jomshof accuses them of exacerbating division in an already dangerous situation for Sweden. He questions why they aren’t focusing on defending democracy and freedom of expression against Islamist forces instead of targeting him. In a written comment to TT, Jomshof suggests that it is time for the Social Democrats, Green Party, Center Party, and Left Party to redirect their efforts.
Juno Blom, member of the Liberals and part of the justice committee, also criticizes the opposition for engaging in a “party political game.” Blom argues that the focus should be on what is critically important for Sweden, particularly with regards to the security policy situation. She emphasizes that this principle applies not only to Jomshof but also to the Social Democrats. Blom reminds everyone that the committees appoint the party members themselves, an essential principle to uphold, especially in times of serious security policy concerns
