Russia, Iran and Belarus are to be invited to the Nobel celebration, which stirs up emotions.
Now several party leaders choose to boycott the party – in protest.
“As long as Russia continues its war against Ukraine, I cannot attend the same party as their ambassador,” writes Muharrem Demirok (C) on X.
Yesterday, the Nobel Foundation announced that the ambassadors of Russia, Iran and Belarus will be invited to this year’s award ceremony, something that has been criticized.
Now C leader Muharrem Demirok chooses to boycott the ceremony and the Nobel party.
“I was looking forward to participating during the ceremony and the Nobel party. But as long as Russia is waging war against Ukraine, I cannot attend the same party as their ambassador. I like to celebrate research and progress, but not under any circumstances,” he writes on X.
Even the leader of the Left Party, Nooshi Dadgostar, takes the same decision.
“Last year, the Nobel Foundation chose not to invite the Russian ambassador. It was a wise decision, but one that they have unfortunately now changed. I will not participate in Nobel festivities with a representative of the Russian regime at the same time as the bombs fall on Ukraine,” she writes.
The Green Party’s Märta Stenevi also follows the C leader’s example.
“The Nobel Prize is a fantastic institution for research, education and peace that has been celebrated for a long time. But I come to the same conclusion as Muharrem – there is nothing to celebrate with the Russian ambassador,” she writes.
The Prime Minister: “I wouldn’t have done it”
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson commented on the announcement earlier in the day.
– The Nobel Foundation naturally decides themselves who they want to invite. But I reacted just like many others with great surprise that Russia was invited, he says in a comment to TT.
– I would not have done it if I invited to an award ceremony and I understand that it upsets many people in both Sweden and Ukraine.
The three states were not invited last year, but this year the foundation states that “it is good to also invite states that need to hear how important it is with democracy and human rights”.
Even Jimmie Åkesson (SD), who was previously not welcome at the party, can now participate, the Nobel Foundation stated on Thursday. Åkesson then replied that he “unfortunately is busy that day”.