Political Fallout as Committee Blocks Minister’s Testimony on Son’s extremist Ties
Stockholm,Sweden – A rare political standoff has erupted in the Swedish Riksdag,as a majority coalition blocked a request to summon Migration Minister Johan Forssell to testify before the Social Security Committee regarding revelations about his son’s involvement with far-right extremist groups. The Left party, supported by the Social Democrats and the Environment Party, had requested Forssell appear to address questions surrounding the situation, but the motion was defeated on Tuesday.
The controversy stems from a summer report by Expo, revealing a close relative of a minister was active in right-wing extremist and Nazi circles. Forssell later confirmed the individual was his son. According to the report, the son allegedly attempted to recruit members for a white power institution and participated in activities with the violent, Nazi-affiliated group Sweden.
“It has never happened before that parties have been denied anyone,” stated Tony Haddou, Deputy Chairman of the Social Security Committee and a member of the Left Party, to Expressen. Haddou expressed concern over unanswered questions about what Forssell knew regarding his son’s activities, adding, “We do not exclude anything to get answers to our questions. That a minister does not come to the Riksdag to answer questions just arouses more suspicion.”
The decision to block the summons has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. V, S, and MP formally reserved themselves against the ruling.
However, the Moderate-led majority argues the matter is a private one and outside the committee’s purview. Viktor Wärnick, Moderate Chairman of the Social Security Committee, defended the decision in a text message to Dagens Nyheter, stating, “The limit of a decency has been passed when V, MP and S want to use the minor children of elected representatives as a bat in the political debate. We obviously do not intend to contribute to this,since it has nothing to do with the government’s service or the committee’s preparation area.”
Ludvig Aspling (SD) echoed this sentiment, stating the committee typically invites ministers to discuss government policy and issues within its remit. “If they want to invite to discuss politics or things that have to do with the government’s service, we will say yes, but the issues are now about purely private conditions and things that are not within the committee’s preparation area.”
When pressed on whether Forssell should address questions of parental duty – a topic he has previously spoken about – Aspling maintained it was a personal matter outside the committee’s scope.
The Social Security Committee typically handles migration issues, which is why the Left Party initially argued for Forssell’s appearance. The unfolding situation raises questions about the boundaries of parliamentary scrutiny and the extent to which a minister’s personal life can be subject to public inquiry.The opposition has yet to announce its next steps in seeking answers regarding the matter.
