The demand for Kristersson after the attack in Gubbängen

GOTHENBURG. A week has passed since the attack on the Left Party’s event in Gubbängen.

Magdalena Andersson (S) and Nooshi Dadgostar (V) are in Gothenburg to make their first speech – and demand that Ulf Kristersson act against political violence.

– Should we be able to have political conversations in our schools, workplaces and in meeting rooms? That is a question for Ulf Kristersson, says Dadgostar.

In a sun-bathing Gothenburg, the Left Party’s flags fly at the gathering place on Andra Långgatan – and thousands are expected to gather to demonstrate. But the party has been shaken by the attack that took place at a political meeting in Gubbängen in southern Stockholm exactly one week ago.

Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar (V) says that the party members who were present in the room felt bad.

– Many who were there had been active in the party for a long time, both young and old. They were very shocked by the situation. This does not belong in Sweden, she says when Aftonbladet meets her before the demonstration.

She continues:

– It is more important than ever that we stand up against right-wing extremists who want to overthrow our democracy.

“A well-planned attack”

According to witnesses, a number of masked people allegedly stormed the venue in Gubbängen, abused people who were there and threw smoke bombs. When the Green Party’s spokeswoman Amanda Lind spoke at a support demonstration after the attack, she called the incident a “terrorist act”.

The Social Democrats’ party leader Magdalena Andersson also points strongly against what happened, when she meets the press on site in Gothenburg where she is to give her maiden speech.

– This was a well-planned attack with physical attachments, with the aim of silencing and intimidating. It feels more important than in a long time that we raise our voices against this, she says.

Do you feel any fear about going on the demonstration train today?

– No, but I feel extremely convinced of how important it is to stand up against right-wing extremism and racism, says Magdalena Andersson (S).

The attack could affect the election campaign

Both the Left Party and the Social Democrats start their election campaigns before the EU parliamentary elections in connection with the May Day demonstrations. Magdalena Andersson does not want to answer how the attack in Gubbängen can affect the party’s security work during the election campaign.

– That is a question for the police, we don’t usually talk about our security work, she says.

Nooshi Dadgostar (V):

– We will of course have to look at it. But the issue is bigger than the parties’ organizations and premises. It is about our open democracy.

Nooshi Dadgostar demands that Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) calls a meeting of party leaders, where he explains what efforts the government is putting in to make the election campaign safe and secure.

In that requirement, she receives additional support from Magdalena Andersson.

– I look forward to a meeting where the government can go through what measures it intends to take to ensure security during the election campaign, says the S leader.

Nooshi Dadgostar says that “social responsibility must step in and say stop”.

– Should we be able to have political conversations in our schools, workplaces and in meeting rooms? That is a question for Ulf Kristersson.

Aftonbladet has sought Ulf Kristersson for a comment.

The Palestine issue dominates

In the morning, Magdalena Andersson presented a political proposal for the EU elections – clearer measures against member states operating in “an undemocratic government”. She points to, among other things, Hungary, which has been defined by the EU Parliament as a hybrid government.

If member states, as Andersson describes it, dismantle their democracy, they should be able to be excluded.

– It is not a community without requirements, there must be clear and strict requirements for countries that are part of the EU, she says

But on the streets of Gothenburg on May 1, 2024, another foreign policy issue dominates. Palestinian flags are seen on many demonstrators and signs protesting Israel’s war on Gaza are frequent.

– There is a genocide going on in Palestine. The government needs to act with force. I will talk about this in my speech today, says Dadgostar.

Magdalena Andersson also says that she will talk about the war in Gaza when she gives a speech at Götaplatsen on Wednesday afternoon. The S leader also wants to see the government act more forcefully.

– I would like them to speak with a higher voice in international contexts. An immediate ceasefire is needed, food and supplies must come in. The violence in the West Bank must end. And a two-state solution is needed, she says.