Aday Bethkinne Resigns After Controversial Pride Remarks
Aday Bethkinne resigns from the Christian Democrats after calling the Pride parade 'the train of confusion'.
Key Points
- • Aday Bethkinne resigns from KD after controversial comments on Pride.
- • He labeled the Pride parade 'the train of confusion' and shared a provocative image on social media.
- • Bethkinne claims KD no longer upholds Christian values, leading to his departure.
- • Political leaders criticize the absence of KD's Prime Minister at the Pride events.
Aday Bethkinne, a member of the Christian Democrats (KD) from Botkyrka, has resigned from both his party and municipal posts following intense backlash over his comments referring to the Pride parade as 'the train of confusion'. The remarks, made on the social media platform X, also included a photo of a man wearing a T-shirt with a homophobic slogan, which further exacerbated criticism against Bethkinne. He stated, 'If I have to choose between the party's politics and my values, I will always choose my heart issues. That is why I am leaving KD.' This resignation comes amidst accusations from him that the party has strayed from its Christian foundations, claiming that he felt KD had lost its 'Christian compass.'
Bethkinne's comments have sparked significant controversy within the party. Stina Lundgren, the Chair of the Botkyrka municipal council, condemned his remarks and indicated that an internal meeting would be convened to discuss the implications. Furthermore, Yusuf Aydin, the KD chairman in Botkyrka, noted that Bethkinne had previously decided not to run in the next election, suggesting his resignation aligns with an internal shift within the party.
In parallel, the incident has also highlighted the political response to the absence of leading KD figures at the recent Pride celebrations. Finance Minister Niklas Wykman defended Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson against criticism from the Social Democratic leader, Magdalena Andersson, who described the absence as 'unfortunate.' She underscored the importance of visible representation at such events.
As the Pride parade in Stockholm continues to grow in size and acceptance, media personality Mark Levengood remarked on the increasing visibility of the event within Swedish society, suggesting a cultural shift toward inclusivity that contrastingly opposes Bethkinne’s views.