At the same time that the Swedish government has to deal with the strong foreign reactions to the Koran burnings – Swedish legal principles must be protected. A political balancing act that is difficult and unique, according to political scientists.
– It is an extremely difficult situation, says Sten Widmalm, professor of political science at Uppsala University.
It is not the first time that the Swedish government is under pressure after getting into trouble in the Muslim world. What is unique this time is that you are simultaneously gearing up to get your NATO application approved.
In that type of balancing act, it is important to send clear signals to the outside world that the government stands up for democratic values, according to Widmalm.
– If you say that the Koran burning is appalling and terrible instead of clearly emphasizing that we have freedom of speech and legislation in Sweden, it can send signals to the outside world that it pays to threaten, he says.
The Ordinance Act should be amended so that actions such as Koran burnings can be rejected out of consideration for the security of the kingdom. Jonas Trolle, head of the Center against Violent Extremism, believes so. As recently as June, the Court of Appeal gave the police homework for rejecting applications, as concrete, specific threats are currently required to deny permission.
But now the head of the authority wants the public order law to be extended to also cover threats to national security. Something that Widmalm is skeptical about.
– Several people in the debate and even heads of authorities think that the laws should be changed… but once you start going down that road, it is very difficult to back off, he says.
At the same time, after the condemnation, it is difficult to determine how the government should act.
– The important thing is to keep a clear and clear line.