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In the quiet corridors of Stockholm City Hall, the violence and devastation in the United States Congress the other day may seem remote. But Jan Jönsson believes that we in Sweden and not least his own party must draw conclusions from what happened in Washington DC.
Jan Jönsson is the Council of Social Citizens and leader of the Liberals in Stockholm, the strongest and most important stronghold of the party. Now he chooses to speak in the debate on the path chosen by the Liberals before the next election. He wants to enter into a controversy with those who believe that the January agreement should be abandoned.
– Taking into account what happened in the United States, it is important to explain why we signed the January agreement. It was because we saw the threat of these forces that also exist in Hungary and Poland. The Sweden Democrats are part of the same movement. We are definitely not vaccinated against this, but the January deal has kept them out of power, at the same time that we have had a lot of factual politics, says Jan Jönsson.
Jan Jönsson is the Council of Social Citizens and leader of the group of liberals in Stockholm City Hall. He is also one of eight people in the party leadership.
Photo: Lotta Härdelin
– Jimmie Åkesson has said that he still believes it would be better if Donald Trump won the election. If you have a democratic backbone, you understand that you cannot support Trump. You simply cannot trust the Swedish Democrats. Many Republicans thought they could control these forces, but they have realized a very unpleasant truth.
Instead of leaving January deal, Jan Jönsson wants a clear message from party leader Nyamko Sabuni on SD’s opinion.
– I want to hear a clear message that our task is to fight against nationalist and populist forces. That is also what the party has decided unanimously. It should be clear that SD is so far from us when it comes to democracy and human rights that we cannot associate with them. It should come now, says Jan Jönsson.
– I think this is a more important message than trying to say exactly which government you want to see. Our voters understand that the parliamentary situation is complicated and that it will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.
The parties he thinks L is closest to are the Center Party and the Moderates. He also likes to see Ulf Kristersson (M) as prime minister, but warns against the idea of a government based on cooperation with SD.
Jan Jönsson believes he has the support of voters in Stockholm, the strongest bastion of liberals, who are otherwise in a bad position in public opinion.
Photo: Lotta Härdelin
– I think it could initially work because all parties are interested in making cooperation possible. But why should they be the only party content to cooperate on a few small issues and say that the rest is up to you? Of course, they want to have an impact on their ideology, nationalism.
The moderate leader Ulf Kristersson probably believes that he stands for the same values as you, but still believes that such a government formation is possible. That’s wrong
– He owes the answer on how to keep the values of the Swedish Democrats away from the politics of such a government. That answer may exist, but I haven’t heard it.
What if such a government is based on a budget collaboration with SD?
– My assessment is that it is not possible.
On the contrary, Jan Jönsson believes that the examples of collaborations with SD in different municipalities point in the opposite direction.
– It starts with small steps, perhaps with the prohibition of the veil at school or what books to buy in the library. Is it a question to say no to if that means losing power? No, you might think, it’s too small a question. Then comes the next little question. And the next. Suddenly, you are very far from the values you really stand for, says Jan Jönsson.
If one alternative after the next elections is an M-led government based on cooperation with SD, and the other alternative is something that includes the Social Democrats and is similar to the January agreement, which one do you choose then?
– If such a moderate government relies on Swedish democrats profiting from cooperation, then it doesn’t work for us to support it. So the Social Democrats are the least bad alternative. You can also imagine a center-right government or liberals in an independent role.
Jan Jönsson changed his job as a director in Bredäng to the post of mayor in Stockholm City Hall.
Photo: Lotta Härdelin
Nyamko Sabuni has not yet wanted to discuss these issues, but has said she wants to focus on the party’s own politics. What do you think of his line?
– In my opinion, a party is defined not only by what you are for but also by what you are against. This is where we must be clear. Then it will be much easier for voters to relate to us. Our potential voters must be convinced that we are not trembling on this issue. I also think that we need to figure these things out first so that then we can get people to listen to what we want to do politically.
Where are your Stockholm voters?
– I think that, in any case, among the Stockholm voters, it is very important for the identity that you are for openness, tolerance, scientificity, human rights. Since this is an identity issue, you are not prepared to compromise, and if there is ambiguity, you will be concerned. Among our members in Stockholm, there is enormously strong support for this opinion and I want to be your voice. Here, too, we have gone against the trend of public opinion and have greater voter support than in the country as a whole. So it seems that the electorate can have confidence in the liberals if they are clear on these points.
Read more:
Jan Jönsson on hatred and threats: I defend a way of being that is not accepted
DN / Ipsos: The historical crisis of the liberals deepens
