In Wednesday's parliamentary vote on transitional rules for stricter citizenship requirements, two Sweden Democrats voted despite being on the abstention list, tipping the result in favor of the Tidö parties 147–146. The opposition accuses SD of manipulation and demands a revote. SD group leader Linda Lindberg defends the decision by saying voters' mandates must be respected.
Parliament voted on Wednesday on the opposition's proposal for transitional rules for stricter Swedish citizenship requirements, effective June 6. Two political independents, former SD members Katja Nyberg and Elsa Widding, voted with the opposition (S, MP, V, C). The vote at 4:19 p.m. ended 147–146 in favor of the Tidö parties.
SD group leader Linda Lindberg ordered the abstaining MPs Michael Rubbestad and Charlotte Quensel to vote anyway. “The people have cast their votes for the Tidö majority and as voters should expect our politics to become reality, regardless of a couple of effect-seeking independents in our seats,” she writes in a comment to TT and Aftonbladet. Lindberg wants to review the abstention system.
The opposition is outraged. “We had a majority for transitional provisions in the citizenship law. SD knew that and chose to manipulate the result,” says MP group leader Annika Hirvonen. S group leader Lena Hallengren calls it “undemocratic” and “like cheating with playing cards.” C's Daniel Bäckström says SD “stoops to deceiving democracy.” V's Nooshi Dadgostar demands a revote on X.
Political scientist Marie Demker calls it a “serious breach of praxis.” “It was more important to get their own policy through than to respect the long-term rules of the game,” she says. Moderates' group leader Mattias Karlsson wants group leaders to meet to discuss the system. First deputy speaker Kenneth G Forslund (S) says the parties must sort it out themselves.
MP, S, and C demand a new vote, and Hirvonen has requested a meeting with group leaders excluding SD.
