— I think that the voters have to take that into account the next time there are elections in Sweden actually, if you want a person who takes responsibility for Sweden or a person who goes on like that, says Johan Pehrson.
The debate has been heated since the statement of Richard Jomshof (SD), chairman of the Riksdag’s justice committee, where he calls the prophet Muhammad a “mass murderer, robber and slave trader”.
When the Liberals’ party leader was first asked about the appropriateness of making such a statement, during a security-politically sensitive situation, he replied that he would contact Jimmie Åkesson to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“The statements are deeply inappropriate and I have told Jimmie Åkesson that he must come back to see how he will ensure that this does not happen again in light of the difficult security situation the country is in,” said Pehrson.
“Can’t guarantee”
Now the two party leaders have been spoken to. But after the meeting, Pehrson no longer demands any guarantees from the Sweden Democrats’ top representative, and he has not received any such guarantees either.
“He doesn’t give guarantees because he might not be able to for his members,” says Pehrson and adds:
— There is no party leader who can guarantee anything for all his representatives in Sweden’s Riksdag or members in general.
TT: The Liberals promised to be a liberal anchor in this government, how is that going?
— I don’t think that the liberal task is to silence every single person from the Sweden Democrats who wanders around in Sweden’s Riksdag, that is not our task.
No regrets
– Everyone represents themselves in the Riksdag, takes responsibility for their actions and faces the voters with that. Being a liberal centrist anchor is about focusing on things that matter to liberal voters. It is to protect freedom of expression, but to be responsible in a very critical situation that Sweden finds itself in, and it is a difficult balance.
Richard Jomshof has said in an interview with TV4 Nyheterna that he does not regret his statement and that he intends to continue defending his freedom of expression.
“He is absolutely right about that, defending his freedom of expression,” says Pehrson.
TT: Is he right to continue criticizing Islam at this point?
— He had a tweet that was more general, and if he thinks it’s appropriate, let it stand for him, but I saw that it was a different tone the last time he wrote.