Sweden Democrats’ party leader Jimmie Åkesson is once again banned from the Nobel festivities in Stockholm, the Nobel Foundation tells TT. All other party leaders are invited.
The Nobel Foundation’s board has seen no reason to reconsider its previous decision not to invite the Sweden Democrats’ party leader to the Nobel festivities, writes the Nobel Foundation in a comment to TT. The fact that the party now forms the basis of government and is Sweden’s second largest party does not change anything:
“The Nobel Prize rests on a respect for science, culture, humanism and internationalism. That respect is also the basis for the efforts that are celebrated and recognized when Nobel Prize winners and guests from all over the world are invited to the Nobel Prize ceremony and banquet on December 10,” writes the foundation.
CEO Vidar Helgesen thus stands by his predecessor Lars Heikensten’s decision regarding Åkesson, who has never been invited to the festivities in Stockholm. Other Riksdag party leaders are still invited.
We broadcast live about the decision in the player above.