The Pride parade in Stockholm is underway. The train, which will wind its way over four kilometers through the capital, started at 1 pm on Saturday. The parade route usually takes around two hours, according to the organizer.
This year, Stockholm Pride celebrates 25 years and 45,000 people are expected to participate in the train, reports SVT Nyheter.
TV4 Nyheterna broadcasts directly from the parade that goes through Stockholm’s inner city.
All but two party leaders are participating in Saturday’s Pride Parade in Stockholm. Ebba Busch has other commitments and Jimmie Åkesson is not welcome.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) and Labor Market Minister Johan Pehrson (L) are the only party leaders who are also in the government. Energy Minister Ebba Busch (KD) will not participate this year.
– She has other commitments today, says Mia Widell, press secretary for Ebba Busch.
According to Widell, it is Erik Slottner (KD), Minister of Civil Affairs, who is the minister representing the Christian Democrats.
Prime Minister: Never take these questions for granted
In TV4’s Nyhetsmorgon, the Prime Minister was asked how it feels to walk in the Pride Parade.
– It feels good, not least now that the issue is at the forefront and many countries are going in the wrong direction.
– We must never take these questions for granted. We celebrate the freedom and love of all people in Sweden, and we do so today, he says.
Therefore SD are not welcome
From the opposition, all party leaders will participate. Magdalena Andersson (S), Nooshi Dadgostar (V) and the two spokespersons Märta Stenevi (MP) and Per Bolund (MP) usually participate and will do so again this year. Muharrem Demirok (C) will also walk in this year’s Pride parade, now for the first time as party leader.
Since 2014, Stockholm Pride has had an annual meeting decision that the Sweden Democrats are not welcome at the parade.
– You must have an LGBTQ policy and run LGBTQ political work and you need to stand behind our core values. Based on these principles, we welcome political parties to sign up to our platform, says Fredrik Saweståhl, chairman of Stockholm Pride and continues:
– SD does not meet our principles.
So the parade goes through Stockholm
So the parade goes through Stockholm