After massive criticism and several boycotts from, among others, three Swedish party leaders and Ukraine’s ambassador, the Nobel Foundation is now backing away from the decision to invite all ambassadors.
Most recently yesterday, the Nobel Foundation’s CEO said that it had adopted a “long-term practice” after much discussion within the foundation, and that “the right decision” is to invite all ambassadors who have diplomatic relations with Sweden. Among other things, to create dialogue between different points of view.
Called a board meeting on Friday
After the storm of criticism, the Nobel Foundation held an extraordinary board meeting on Friday.
Today’s press release states: “We take note of the strong reactions in Sweden that completely overshadowed this message. The Nobel Foundation’s board therefore chooses to repeat last year’s exception to normal practice”.
– It is clear that it would have been better to take the decision we have now taken right from the start, says Nobel Foundation CEO Vidar Helgesen to Ekot on Saturday.
The king hesitated
According to Margareta Thorgren, the Royal House’s head of information, the King reacted with surprise to the Nobel Foundation’s decision to invite the Russian ambassador to the Nobel ceremony, reports Echo.
The Royal House said that they should wait a few days before the King decides whether he will attend the Nobel ceremony or not.
Shortly afterwards came the news that the Nobel Foundation had changed its mind.
The Nobel Foundation backs down
On Friday, it sounded like this from the Nobel Foundation:
– The correct practice in the long term is to invite all ambassadors from countries that have diplomatic relations with Sweden, said Nobel Foundation CEO Vidar Helgesen.
And Thursday’s press release spoke of a world where dialogue is needed.
“It is clear that the world is increasingly divided into different spheres, where dialogue between different points of view is decreasing,” said Vidar Helgesen in the press release from Thursday.
“In order to reduce those tendencies, we are broadening the invitations,” the press release said.
Several boycotts
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) comments on the announcement in writing:
“A good and necessary decision by the Nobel Foundation’s board. The many and strong reactions show that all of Sweden unequivocally stands on Ukraine’s side against Russia’s terrible invasion war”.
Several of the Riksdag’s party leaders have previously said that they will not attend the ceremony if the Russian ambassador is present. The first to boycott was Murrahem Demirok (C), who was then followed by Märta Stenevi (MP) and Nooshi Dadgostar (V).
Demirok writes today in X: “A good decision by the Nobel Foundation. I’m putting December 10 on the calendar and looking forward to celebrating”.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Sweden, Andrij Plachotnyuk, has said that he will not attend the Nobel ceremony if the Russian ambassador comes there.