Centerpartiet Calls for Dialogue on Political Debate Conduct Following Heated Exchange
Centerpartiet invites political parties to discuss guidelines for debate and social media conduct after a heated recent debate criticized by Ulf Kristersson.
- • Recent political debate described as 'undignified' and 'rowdy' by Ulf Kristersson.
- • Centerpartiet’s Anna-Karin Hatt compared the debate atmosphere to a youth center due to interruptions.
- • Centerpartiet invites party secretaries to discuss guidelines for debate and social media conduct.
- • Discussions include concerns about troll accounts linked to Sverigedemokraterna undermining democracy.
Key details
The recent partiledardebatt in Sweden was marked by a tense and undignified atmosphere, likened by Centerpartiet's leader Anna-Karin Hatt to that of a "youth center" due to frequent interruptions by Vänsterpartiet's Nooshi Dadgostar. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also criticized the debate as "undignified" and "rowdy" (Source 99059, 99062).
In response to these developments, Centerpartiet has initiated efforts to foster a more respectful political climate. Party secretary Karin Ernlund has invited secretaries from other political parties to discuss and establish clear guidelines and a code of conduct for both political debates and social media behavior ahead of upcoming elections (99059, 99062). Ernlund emphasized the necessity of such rules to ensure respect among politicians and to meet voters’ expectations for fair and dignified discourse.
This initiative builds on prior concerns about social media conduct, notably after troll accounts linked to Sverigedemokraterna were exposed during last year’s EU elections. Ernlund highlighted the importance of an agreement against the use of fake accounts spreading threats, hate, and misinformation, which she argued undermines Swedish democracy (99059, 99062).