Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wonders about the Nobel Foundation’s decision, and opposition leader Magdalena Andersson calls on the party’s organizer to think again.
At least three chairmen of Swedish parliament parties will skip this year’s Nobel ceremonies because the Russian ambassador is among the invited guests.
The Nobel Foundation announced yesterday that the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran will be invited to the ceremonies where the Nobel Prizes will be awarded. Last year, representatives were not invited due to the international situation.
Chairman of the Center Party Muharrem Demirokchairman of the Left Party Nooshi Dadgostar and Märta Steneviwho is one of the two chairmen of the environmental party, announce that they will boycott the party.
Demirok writes on X (formerly Twitter) that he cannot attend the same party with the Russian ambassador as the war in Ukraine continues.
The party leaders’ boycott has been reported, among other things Swedish television SVT and Swedish Radio SR.
The Prime Minister wonders about the Nobel Foundation’s activities
Chairman of the moderate coalition, prime minister Ulf Kristersson too wonders about the Nobel Foundation’s decision.
– I myself would not have done this if I had been invited. I understand that this upsets many people both in Sweden and Ukraine, Kristersson commented to the news agency TT.
Speaker of the Diet Andreas Norlén says he’s wondering if he can attend.
Chairman of the Social Democrats Magdalena Andersson urges the foundation to think again. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has also appealed to the foundation.
Director of the Nobel Foundation Vidar Helgesen not going to bend though. He emphasizes For Dagens Nyheter, that the invitation only applies to the party where the awards are presented, not the big evening party. In his opinion, the foundation should not decide who is invited on “political grounds”.
The invitation to the chairman of the Sweden Democrats is only now
This year, for the first time, the chairman of the Sweden Democrats is among those invited Jimmie Åkesson.
He has already announced that he will be absent due to “another trip”.
Åkesson, who has been without an invitation for years, said some time ago that he is not going to participate, even if he does get an invitation someday.
The Nobel celebrations held annually in December in Stockholm usually gather the Swedish royal family as well as the country’s top politicians.
The Nobel Prizes are awarded during the day at the Stockholm Concert Hall. In the evening there is a big party at the Stockholm City Hall.