Title: The Right Holds Responsibility for the Dismantling of Democracy, Says Annie Lööf in Vi Magazine Interview
In a recent interview with Helle Klein for Vi magazine, former Center Party leader Annie Lööf spoke out about the dismantling of democracy by right-wing extremists. Lööf, who has been a vocal critic of SD fascism, and Klein, a respected figure known for her clear humanism, discussed the challenges faced by women with opinions and the impotence of politics in the face of right-wing violence.
Both Lööf and Klein have experienced the repercussions of their views firsthand, with threats of violence from right-wing extremists and Nazis forcing them to live under constant protection. Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, Lööf revealed that she was one of the main targets of the Almedal killer, an incident which left Sweden in shock.
Lamenting the response to such violence, Lööf questioned why politics did not come to a standstill and why the incident was mostly met with indifference. She stressed that a dulling of the public discourse and a climate of fear had silenced many reasonable voices who no longer dared to speak out.
The conversation between Lööf and Klein in Vi magazine holds great significance in the historiography of 2020s Sweden, as the nation grapples with various challenges both domestically and globally. Lööf noted that democracy was being undermined worldwide, citing Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine and China’s aggressive dictatorship as concerning examples.
However, Lööf highlighted that the right-wing parties in Sweden held a special responsibility due to the country’s falling rankings in democracy and press freedom indices. She pointed to the Sweden Democrats’ troll factories during the election campaign, the moderates’ tolerance of hate speech from figures like Hanif Bali, and the Liberals’ silence in the face of these issues.
Expressing her frustration with her former Alliance comrades, Lööf emphasized the need for collective action and support against the erosion of democracy. She called for individuals to step up and organize themselves, stressing that the responsibility to save democracy should not solely rest on the shoulders of figures like Lööf and Klein.
The interview serves as a stark reminder of the alarming state of democracy and the urgent need for citizens to unite against extremism and defend the principles that underpin an inclusive and free society.
—