In 2010, Linda Lindberg (SD) had a so-called “Jimmie moment” when she realized that she sympathized with the Sweden Democrats.
Now she gives her first speech on the Almedalscenen, as Jimmie Åkesson’s replacement.
– I was so deeply disappointed at how the Social Democrats, the media and even the moderates of that time, brought the Swedes behind the scenes, she says.
Linda Lindberg quickly attacked the Social Democrats’ last eight years in power during her first Almedal speech.
– The disabled had to stand back as the migration had to be paid for, something that Magdalena Andersson has also said quite frankly in front of a rolling camera. People have been naive and let crime against welfare flourish and billions of tax dollars have been wrongly paid out, annually.
She paints a dark picture of Sweden with gang crime, benefit fraud and a lack of welfare. The Sweden Democrats’ vision of a safe and humane Sweden is raised more than once.
– The vision is a Sweden where you feel safe, where you can make yourself understood, know that welfare works and that your tax money goes to sensible things, and not to criminal networks, cynical benefit fraudsters, citizens of other countries or aid to corrupt states, says Linda Lindberg.
“Disastrous migration policy”
And like Jimmie Åkessons in his spring speech, Lindberg is certain: Sweden has changed, for the worse.
– A disastrous migration policy over which there was no control. Meager legislation where individuals have laughed at the justice system and where cold-blooded criminals shoot and blow up so Sweden sometimes resembles a war zone. But it is the politicians who have been the lame ones and allowed this to happen.
– And imagine if someone had had the courage to listen and talk to us anyway. But everyone was paralyzed in their ring corners. Yes, guess what! How it could have looked then.
But the time for change is here, she says. Sweden just has to find its way back to the We-feeling and the feeling of pride in being Swedish. And she urges patience.
– It’s frustrating, I know, but it’s on its way, she says.
Chairman of SD women
Linda Lindberg stepped in as group leader in the spring and is also social policy spokesperson and chairman of the SD women’s union.
She hopes that Jimmie Åkesson remains for many more years as party leader because he is “terribly good at what he does”. She has no plans to run for office.
– I have no visions for it, right now I am very grateful in the role I have as group leader, and I am quite new in that role. I enjoy it.
Watch the full speech in the player below.