** The Swedish Election - Sep 9 **

Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,520
edited September 2018 in A Moving Train
The Swedish Election is being held on Sep 9.

The Parlament is being made up by:

The Social Democrats (S)
In the government. Traditionally the party that historically has had the ruling power. Often with it's own majority, but those days are over. A party that started on the left, but now like most parties has moved more to the middle.

The Green Party (MP)
In the government. Do not see themselves as a left or right-party, but are often considered to the in the middle with left leanings on social issues and such. These four years has been their first as a government party. There big thing this election has been our climate. 

The Left Party (V)
Was called "The Left Party Communists" up till the 80s, when the party was reformed. Opponents still use that to make cheap political points. Calls themselves "the only left party in Sweden" and has taken up the spot which The Social Democrats had historically before moving to the middle. Their big things this election has been - higher taxes for the rich and restrict companies possibilities to make profits off of private schools.

The Liberals (L)
Traditional swedish party. The big things this election has been, reform the school system to make it more strict, lower taxes on work and push how great the EU is.

The Center Party (C)
Formed to be a party for the farmers. Now pretty much the same party as The Liberals - but with a more open/hip approach to immigration, LGBT and such. 

The Moderates (S)
Swedens traditional right winged party. Moved to the middle in the 00s and stole a lot of voters from The Social Democrats and also held government (together with The Liberals, The Center Party and The Christians Democrates) for eight years. The big thing this election has been crime and stopping gang violence.

The Christian Democrats (KD)
A company similar to The Moderates, but sometimes a more shitty view on abortions and such shows up. The thing they have been talking about this election is to move the power over our healthcare from the counties to the state.  

The Swedish Democrats (SD)
A company with racist roots that lures people that has racist/bigoted views, that has grown to be the third/second largest part in Sweden since first getting into the parliament in 2010. Formed in the early 90s when a lot of immigrants from the Balkan came to Sweden. No other party want to in any way work with them (except for The Moderates and The Christian Democrats who seems to kind of wanting to, maybe, somehow). 



S and MP are in government (with support from L)

L, C, M and KD want to form a new government (they ruled together 2006-2014).

No one has been touching SD so far, instead working around them. But everything this election has been about them.



This was the election results in 2014:



(FI is The Feminist Iniative, a left party that was close to coming into parliament (you need 4 percent of the vote to do so). Benny Andersson of ABBA-fame famously helped them out with big economic contributions. They are a non-factor this election)


Here is the latest poll:


The Election is on Sunday.

Me personally, I'm voting for The Left Party, based on their environmental and animal rights views and their views on Folkhemmet (The peoples home); 

Sometimes referred to as "the Swedish Middle Way", 
folkhemmet was viewed as midway between capitalism and socialism. The base of the Folkhem vision is that the entire society ought to be like a small family, where everybody contributes, but also where everybody looks after one another. The Swedish Social Democrats' successes in the postwar period is often explained by the fact that the party managed to motivate major social reforms with the idea of the folkhem and the national family's joint endeavor

I voted for The Green Party when I was younger.

Wee.

"Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
Post edited by Spiritual_Chaos on
«13456

Comments

  • At least you have a few choices good luck as you well know this country only has a couple of choices ..
    1- H =horrible
    2- C = corrupt 
    3 - N = Naive 
    I voted for the horrible candidate last time , we now have a corrupt president..
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,520
    edited September 2018
    At least you have a few choices good luck as you well know this country only has a couple of choices ..
    1- H =horrible
    2- C = corrupt 
    3 - N = Naive 
    I voted for the horrible candidate last time , we now have a corrupt president..
    With The Social Democrats/The Green Party/ The Left Party pretty much having formed a block opposing the block that is Center Party/Liberals/moderates/Christian Democrats we have moved towards the US system. 

    And then we have the racist party that is throwing shit on both blocks. 
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 Posts: 10,739
    Do you have proportional representation?
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • AnnafalkAnnafalk Posts: 4,004
    Is anyone even interested in what happends in our little country?
  • Annafalk said:
    Is anyone even interested in what happends in our little country?

    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • Do you have proportional representation?
    Yes. our parliament has 349 seats, and parties get seats in proportion to the share of the votes (you need to get over atleast 4% of the vote to get into parliament).



    In 2014, the biggest party (The Social Democrats) got 113 seats. The Christian Democrats got the fewest with 17 seats.
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • jeffbrjeffbr Posts: 7,177
    Annafalk said:
    Is anyone even interested in what happends in our little country?

    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 Posts: 10,739
    Annafalk said:
    Is anyone even interested in what happends in our little country?
    I am.  Why wouldn't we be?  Sometimes in NA our news solely focus on issues in NA and only the major happenings elsewhere.  o it's interesting to learn.  
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 Posts: 10,739
    Do you have proportional representation?
    Yes. our parliament has 349 seats, and parties get seats in proportion to the share of the votes (you need to get over atleast 4% of the vote to get into parliament).



    In 2014, the biggest party (The Social Democrats) got 113 seats. The Christian Democrats got the fewest with 17 seats.
    Be patient with me.  Under Sweden proportional representation ... can a party select a candidate that never ran?  
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Do you have proportional representation?
    Yes. our parliament has 349 seats, and parties get seats in proportion to the share of the votes (you need to get over atleast 4% of the vote to get into parliament).



    In 2014, the biggest party (The Social Democrats) got 113 seats. The Christian Democrats got the fewest with 17 seats.
    Be patient with me.  Under Sweden proportional representation ... can a party select a candidate that never ran?  
    You mean if they can put a person in a seat that hasn't been "in the run" so to speak? No. The parties put people on the ballot, and they get in, in the order listed - this can be "overruled" by people indvidually voting a person up by checking one of them on the ballot:




    ... there are people who leave their party during their time in the parliament, and they stay put and are called "politisk vilde "political savage/untamed/on the lose". 


    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 Posts: 28,495
    So is your entire parliament up for re-election? How long are terms? Do you guys have term limits?
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,026
    We just had two Swedish customers in the bookstore.  They did not ask for free books and paid with cash, so I don't think they were commie pinkos! :wink:
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 Posts: 10,739
    Do you have proportional representation?
    Yes. our parliament has 349 seats, and parties get seats in proportion to the share of the votes (you need to get over atleast 4% of the vote to get into parliament).



    In 2014, the biggest party (The Social Democrats) got 113 seats. The Christian Democrats got the fewest with 17 seats.
    Be patient with me.  Under Sweden proportional representation ... can a party select a candidate that never ran?  
    You mean if they can put a person in a seat that hasn't been "in the run" so to speak? No. The parties put people on the ballot, and they get in, in the order listed - this can be "overruled" by people indvidually voting a person up by checking one of them on the ballot:




    ... there are people who leave their party during their time in the parliament, and they stay put and are called "politisk vilde "political savage/untamed/on the lose". 


    It seems confusing.  But remember all I do when I vote is select a candidate.  The person with the most votes win.  But I am going to do a little reading up.  By the way great thread!!! 
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 Posts: 10,739
    brianlux said:
    We just had two Swedish customers in the bookstore.  They did not ask for free books and paid with cash, so I don't think they were commie pinkos! :wink:

    You sure.  Could be under cover, ready to take over California...
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 Posts: 10,739
    Now that we are on the topic of Sweden.  I am not trying to be rude.  Is English a mandatory course?  I am a huge hockey fan and Swedish hockey players are always fluent in English?  even the 18-19 year olds?  Just curious is all.
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • mcgruff10 said:
    So is your entire parliament up for re-election? How long are terms? Do you guys have term limits?
    Yes, every four years the whole parliament is up for re-election. So the terms are four years. No term limits. I think that The Green Party want to have limits though, they have limits on their "spokepersons" (they are unique in that they do not have one Party Leader but instead two "spokepersons" (one male and one female)).
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • Do you have proportional representation?
    Yes. our parliament has 349 seats, and parties get seats in proportion to the share of the votes (you need to get over atleast 4% of the vote to get into parliament).



    In 2014, the biggest party (The Social Democrats) got 113 seats. The Christian Democrats got the fewest with 17 seats.
    Be patient with me.  Under Sweden proportional representation ... can a party select a candidate that never ran?  
    You mean if they can put a person in a seat that hasn't been "in the run" so to speak? No. The parties put people on the ballot, and they get in, in the order listed - this can be "overruled" by people indvidually voting a person up by checking one of them on the ballot:




    ... there are people who leave their party during their time in the parliament, and they stay put and are called "politisk vilde "political savage/untamed/on the lose". 


    It seems confusing.  But remember all I do when I vote is select a candidate.  The person with the most votes win.  But I am going to do a little reading up.  By the way great thread!!! 
    Think of it this way --

    -- In Sweden we do not vote for candidates, we vote for parties. The Party decides on its people and forms a list, in the order they should get into parliament depending on the amount of seats the party wins.

    The names chosen by the Party are listed on the ballots, so you can if you wish check a specific individual. This system has only been in place since 1998 though. And most people don't, they just vote for the party.

    "The voter now (since 1998) has the opportunity - but not the obligation - to tick the person on the ballot paper that she wishes to be elected first by all, if, on the other hand, he does not select a candidate, the non-voting goes to the top of the list."


    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,520
    edited September 2018
    Now that we are on the topic of Sweden.  I am not trying to be rude.  Is English a mandatory course?  I am a huge hockey fan and Swedish hockey players are always fluent in English?  even the 18-19 year olds?  Just curious is all.
    We learn english from... I think... third grade (when we are 9 years old). Unlike other parts of Europe we do not dub our movies (not counting movies aimed at kids), so that plays a big part.

    "The Swedes are among the best in the world in English. Still this year, "only" on third place, after the Netherlands and Denmark, in the training company, EF's survey."

    But, still - a woman at Pearl Jams London show this summer told me I had "a thick accent". Hehe.
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • AnnafalkAnnafalk Posts: 4,004
    edited September 2018
    Annafalk said:
    Is anyone even interested in what happends in our little country?

    jeffbr said:
    Annafalk said:
    Is anyone even interested in what happends in our little country?

    Annafalk said:
    Is anyone even interested in what happends in our little country?
    I am.  Why wouldn't we be?  Sometimes in NA our news solely focus on issues in NA and only the major happenings elsewhere.  o it's interesting to learn.  
    I don't know what to say, apparently I was wrong. Thank you? Lol :)
    Post edited by Annafalk on
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 Posts: 28,495
    edited September 2018
    Do you have proportional representation?
    Yes. our parliament has 349 seats, and parties get seats in proportion to the share of the votes (you need to get over atleast 4% of the vote to get into parliament).



    In 2014, the biggest party (The Social Democrats) got 113 seats. The Christian Democrats got the fewest with 17 seats.
    Be patient with me.  Under Sweden proportional representation ... can a party select a candidate that never ran?  
    You mean if they can put a person in a seat that hasn't been "in the run" so to speak? No. The parties put people on the ballot, and they get in, in the order listed - this can be "overruled" by people indvidually voting a person up by checking one of them on the ballot:




    ... there are people who leave their party during their time in the parliament, and they stay put and are called "politisk vilde "political savage/untamed/on the lose". 


    It seems confusing.  But remember all I do when I vote is select a candidate.  The person with the most votes win.  But I am going to do a little reading up.  By the way great thread!!! 
    Think of it this way --

    -- In Sweden we do not vote for candidates, we vote for parties. The Party decides on its people and forms a list, in the order they should get into parliament depending on the amount of seats the party wins.

    The names chosen by the Party are listed on the ballots, so you can if you wish check a specific individual. This system has only been in place since 1998 though. And most people don't, they just vote for the party.

    "The voter now (since 1998) has the opportunity - but not the obligation - to tick the person on the ballot paper that she wishes to be elected first by all, if, on the other hand, he does not select a candidate, the non-voting goes to the top of the list."


    That's such a foreign concept to me: vote for the party and then they pick the person to represent you. Do you find that to be positive?  
    So you get one vote?
    So this is very similar to our house of representatives where every candidate is up for reelection.  
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,520
    edited September 2018
    mcgruff10 said:
    Do you have proportional representation?
    Yes. our parliament has 349 seats, and parties get seats in proportion to the share of the votes (you need to get over atleast 4% of the vote to get into parliament).



    In 2014, the biggest party (The Social Democrats) got 113 seats. The Christian Democrats got the fewest with 17 seats.
    Be patient with me.  Under Sweden proportional representation ... can a party select a candidate that never ran?  
    You mean if they can put a person in a seat that hasn't been "in the run" so to speak? No. The parties put people on the ballot, and they get in, in the order listed - this can be "overruled" by people indvidually voting a person up by checking one of them on the ballot:




    ... there are people who leave their party during their time in the parliament, and they stay put and are called "politisk vilde "political savage/untamed/on the lose". 


    It seems confusing.  But remember all I do when I vote is select a candidate.  The person with the most votes win.  But I am going to do a little reading up.  By the way great thread!!! 
    Think of it this way --

    -- In Sweden we do not vote for candidates, we vote for parties. The Party decides on its people and forms a list, in the order they should get into parliament depending on the amount of seats the party wins.

    The names chosen by the Party are listed on the ballots, so you can if you wish check a specific individual. This system has only been in place since 1998 though. And most people don't, they just vote for the party.

    "The voter now (since 1998) has the opportunity - but not the obligation - to tick the person on the ballot paper that she wishes to be elected first by all, if, on the other hand, he does not select a candidate, the non-voting goes to the top of the list."


    That's such a foreign concept to me: vote for the party and then they pick the person to represent you. Do you find that to be positive?  
    So you get one vote?
    So this is very similar to our house of representatives where every candidate is up for reelection.  
    I never thought of it being a negative (or having the time to focus on what people making up the party, its mostly the party leader you see in debates etc), the order of the people is on the ballot and you can tick another choice of if you want to "upvote"  someone. Do you think having only two parties in your "Parliament" as a negative?

    You get one vote for the national election, one for county and one for municipality.  Here are my three ballots, Yellow is National. Blue is County. White is Municipality:




    here are my voting ballots in their envelopes and my voting card. 



    Every citizen get one sent to them, and you show it together with some kind of ID. The election day is on Sunday, but you can vote for like 2-3 weeks before, or mail your voting ballots etc.

    Here are voting booths:








    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 Posts: 10,739
    Do you have proportional representation?
    Yes. our parliament has 349 seats, and parties get seats in proportion to the share of the votes (you need to get over atleast 4% of the vote to get into parliament).



    In 2014, the biggest party (The Social Democrats) got 113 seats. The Christian Democrats got the fewest with 17 seats.
    Be patient with me.  Under Sweden proportional representation ... can a party select a candidate that never ran?  
    You mean if they can put a person in a seat that hasn't been "in the run" so to speak? No. The parties put people on the ballot, and they get in, in the order listed - this can be "overruled" by people indvidually voting a person up by checking one of them on the ballot:




    ... there are people who leave their party during their time in the parliament, and they stay put and are called "politisk vilde "political savage/untamed/on the lose". 


    It seems confusing.  But remember all I do when I vote is select a candidate.  The person with the most votes win.  But I am going to do a little reading up.  By the way great thread!!! 
    Think of it this way --

    -- In Sweden we do not vote for candidates, we vote for parties. The Party decides on its people and forms a list, in the order they should get into parliament depending on the amount of seats the party wins.

    The names chosen by the Party are listed on the ballots, so you can if you wish check a specific individual. This system has only been in place since 1998 though. And most people don't, they just vote for the party.

    "The voter now (since 1998) has the opportunity - but not the obligation - to tick the person on the ballot paper that she wishes to be elected first by all, if, on the other hand, he does not select a candidate, the non-voting goes to the top of the list."


    Are these list made public before you vote?  So you can research the parties candidates they the plan to send to parliament.
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 Posts: 10,739
    mcgruff10 said:
    Do you have proportional representation?
    Yes. our parliament has 349 seats, and parties get seats in proportion to the share of the votes (you need to get over atleast 4% of the vote to get into parliament).



    In 2014, the biggest party (The Social Democrats) got 113 seats. The Christian Democrats got the fewest with 17 seats.
    Be patient with me.  Under Sweden proportional representation ... can a party select a candidate that never ran?  
    You mean if they can put a person in a seat that hasn't been "in the run" so to speak? No. The parties put people on the ballot, and they get in, in the order listed - this can be "overruled" by people indvidually voting a person up by checking one of them on the ballot:




    ... there are people who leave their party during their time in the parliament, and they stay put and are called "politisk vilde "political savage/untamed/on the lose". 


    It seems confusing.  But remember all I do when I vote is select a candidate.  The person with the most votes win.  But I am going to do a little reading up.  By the way great thread!!! 
    Think of it this way --

    -- In Sweden we do not vote for candidates, we vote for parties. The Party decides on its people and forms a list, in the order they should get into parliament depending on the amount of seats the party wins.

    The names chosen by the Party are listed on the ballots, so you can if you wish check a specific individual. This system has only been in place since 1998 though. And most people don't, they just vote for the party.

    "The voter now (since 1998) has the opportunity - but not the obligation - to tick the person on the ballot paper that she wishes to be elected first by all, if, on the other hand, he does not select a candidate, the non-voting goes to the top of the list."


    That's such a foreign concept to me: vote for the party and then they pick the person to represent you. Do you find that to be positive?  
    So you get one vote?
    So this is very similar to our house of representatives where every candidate is up for reelection.  
    I never thought of it being a negative (or having the time to focus on what people making up the party, its mostly the party leader you see in debates etc), the order of the people is on the ballot and you can tick another choice of if you want to "upvote"  someone. Do you think having only two parties in your "Parliament" as a negative?

    You get one vote for the national election, one for county and one for municipality.  Here are my three ballots, Yellow is National. Blue is County. White is Municipality:




    here are my voting ballots in their envelopes and my voting card. 



    Every citizen get one sent to them, and you show it together with some kind of ID. The election day is on Sunday, but you can vote for like 2-3 weeks before, or mail your voting ballots etc.

    Here are voting booths:








    In Canada our Parliament currently has 4 to 6 parties sitting.  We have 4 official parties, I know of one who has been kicked out by his party, but still retains his seat, and another Max Bernier who quit the conservatives to form his own party...but officially, the liberals, the conservatives, the NDP and Green all are official parties that have seats in Parliament ... it does look like we will have 5th party very soon with a seat or more.
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138
    So many choices ...


  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 Posts: 10,739
    Many choices don't mean much.  Federally it is either Conservative or Liberal.  My province Ontario is almost always liberal or PC, the NDP did win in the early 90's...since then only liberal and conservative.
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Do you have proportional representation?
    Yes. our parliament has 349 seats, and parties get seats in proportion to the share of the votes (you need to get over atleast 4% of the vote to get into parliament).



    In 2014, the biggest party (The Social Democrats) got 113 seats. The Christian Democrats got the fewest with 17 seats.
    Be patient with me.  Under Sweden proportional representation ... can a party select a candidate that never ran?  
    You mean if they can put a person in a seat that hasn't been "in the run" so to speak? No. The parties put people on the ballot, and they get in, in the order listed - this can be "overruled" by people indvidually voting a person up by checking one of them on the ballot:




    ... there are people who leave their party during their time in the parliament, and they stay put and are called "politisk vilde "political savage/untamed/on the lose". 


    It seems confusing.  But remember all I do when I vote is select a candidate.  The person with the most votes win.  But I am going to do a little reading up.  By the way great thread!!! 
    Think of it this way --

    -- In Sweden we do not vote for candidates, we vote for parties. The Party decides on its people and forms a list, in the order they should get into parliament depending on the amount of seats the party wins.

    The names chosen by the Party are listed on the ballots, so you can if you wish check a specific individual. This system has only been in place since 1998 though. And most people don't, they just vote for the party.

    "The voter now (since 1998) has the opportunity - but not the obligation - to tick the person on the ballot paper that she wishes to be elected first by all, if, on the other hand, he does not select a candidate, the non-voting goes to the top of the list."


    Are these list made public before you vote?  So you can research the parties candidates they the plan to send to parliament.
    Yes, but like I said - in Sweden by tradition we vote more for the party and their policies/visions/politics and not specific individuals. 
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,520
    edited September 2018
    Election day today, and this is what we have in front of us. 

    The government is made up of "The Red-Green block" --  The Social Democrats (S) and The Green Party (MP), with support from The Left Party (V)

    Their block is in the polls slightly bigger than the competition "The Alliance" (The Center Party, The Liberals, The Moderates and The Christian Democrats).

    And in its own corner is the far-right party The Sweden Democrats (SD). That for 4 years have been shut out in the parliament, even with their 13% of the vote.

    The thing this year is that The Allience, has stated they will not vote for "The Red-Green Block" even if that block is bigger then them -- opening up for them trying to get a majority in the parliament by using/being dependent on SD.

    A deal was struck in 2014 between "The Red-Green block" and "The Allience", that the biggest block would get the support of the other block to form a government to shut SD out of the equation. 

    But now, with The Allience saying they would not support "The Red-Green" if they are bigger once again -- that points to them opening up to getting help from the far-right SD.

    And, it seems The Social Democrats (being the biggest party) want to form a government with The Green Party, The Liberals and The Center Party and not being depended on The Left Party.


    Post edited by Spiritual_Chaos on
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 Posts: 10,739
    Do you have proportional representation?
    Yes. our parliament has 349 seats, and parties get seats in proportion to the share of the votes (you need to get over atleast 4% of the vote to get into parliament).



    In 2014, the biggest party (The Social Democrats) got 113 seats. The Christian Democrats got the fewest with 17 seats.
    Be patient with me.  Under Sweden proportional representation ... can a party select a candidate that never ran?  
    You mean if they can put a person in a seat that hasn't been "in the run" so to speak? No. The parties put people on the ballot, and they get in, in the order listed - this can be "overruled" by people indvidually voting a person up by checking one of them on the ballot:




    ... there are people who leave their party during their time in the parliament, and they stay put and are called "politisk vilde "political savage/untamed/on the lose". 


    It seems confusing.  But remember all I do when I vote is select a candidate.  The person with the most votes win.  But I am going to do a little reading up.  By the way great thread!!! 
    Think of it this way --

    -- In Sweden we do not vote for candidates, we vote for parties. The Party decides on its people and forms a list, in the order they should get into parliament depending on the amount of seats the party wins.

    The names chosen by the Party are listed on the ballots, so you can if you wish check a specific individual. This system has only been in place since 1998 though. And most people don't, they just vote for the party.

    "The voter now (since 1998) has the opportunity - but not the obligation - to tick the person on the ballot paper that she wishes to be elected first by all, if, on the other hand, he does not select a candidate, the non-voting goes to the top of the list."


    Are these list made public before you vote?  So you can research the parties candidates they the plan to send to parliament.
    Yes, but like I said - in Sweden by tradition we vote more for the party and their policies/visions/politics and not specific individuals. 
    As long as I know ahead ofttimes who my representative would be then it seems fine...interesting, I will say that.
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 Posts: 10,739

    Good luck Sweden with your election ... 
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 Posts: 28,495
    Definitely some similarities between the US and Sweden:
    https://www.yahoo.com/news/sweden-naive-integration-ex-peshmerga-swedish-mp-144113383.html

    Stockholm (AFP) - Sweden's "naive" approach to integrating asylum seekers has opened the door to the far-right, an outspoken lawmaker told AFP ahead of elections expected to see the country's once-marginal anti-immigration party make gains.

    Amineh Kakabaveh is an Iranian Kurdish ex-peshmerga fighter who sought asylum herself in Sweden in the 1990s and has been a member of parliament since 2008.

    She has been a vocal critic of Sweden's handling of the 400,000 asylum seekers taken in since 2012, including 160,000 in 2015 alone, the highest number in Europe per capita.

    Sweden is "increasingly divided", said the 40-year-old politician, whose views have earned her enemies among her own formerly-communist Left Party who accuse her of stigmatising immigrants.

    Yet Kakabaveh is ruthless in her criticism of Sweden's shortcomings on integrating immigrants, giving it a failing grade. 

    "We have been naive. We have not been brave. We had no plan," she said, adding that this has enabled a rise in "fundamentalism" in Sweden's suburbs that has fuelled the far-right.

    "Sweden has been having integration problems for 20 years," Kakabaveh tells AFP in an interview just days before the election.

    "This is why the Sweden Democrats (SD), a racist party, is now (poised to be) the second biggest party," she says.

    SD, an anti-immigration party created in 1988 by ex-neo-Nazis, is tipped to win around 20 percent of votes, according to an average of seven polling institutes in the final weeks of the campaign.

    That would put SD just behind Prime Minister Stefan Lofven's Social Democrats, and neck-and-neck with the conservative Moderates Party.

    Kakabaveh is worried about all the asylum seekers who have fled "from war, dictatorships, Islamic dictatorships, and regimes like Daesh (the Islamic State group)."

    Sweden is "increasingly divided," she says, clad in a red dress, red cardigan and high heels.

    "All red -- I'm a socialist!" she says with a laugh.

    "This multicultural society has been poorly constructed over the past two decades, and that has led to a separation of communities." 

    The issue is so infected that it's taboo to talk about, she says.

    "SD has occupied the public debate even though it has ideas that have nothing to do with wanting to help the most vulnerable in society. Now they're heroes because the others don't dare rise to the challenge," she says.

    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
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