Riazat and Delgado Varas Leave Vänsterpartiet to Form New Alternative
Riksdagsledamöterna Daniel Riazat and Lorena Delgado Varas resign from Vänsterpartiet, citing leadership issues, and plan to create a new political alternative.
Key Points
- • Daniel Riazat and Lorena Delgado Varas leave Vänsterpartiet immediately.
- • They criticize the party leadership as 'stalinist' and accuse it of exclusionary practices.
- • Both plan to form a new political alternative focusing on anti-racism, feminism, and anti-capitalism.
- • The Left Party denies their allegations, stating the expulsions were due to inappropriate conduct.
In a significant political shift, Riksdagsledamöterna Daniel Riazat and Lorena Delgado Varas announced their immediate departure from Vänsterpartiet (Left Party) during a press conference held on August 24, 2025. The decision is rooted in deep criticism of the party's leadership, which both members accused of adopting a stalinist approach and aligning politically with social democracy.
Riazat articulated a profound sadness over leaving the party, emphasizing their long-standing commitment to its ideals, but stated that the leadership's actions made it untenable for him to remain a member. He remarked, "It has become impossible for us to stay," reflecting the escalating internal conflicts within the party. Their exit is particularly noteworthy as it follows the initiation of expulsion proceedings against them by Vänsterpartiet, indicating severe discord. Delgado Varas corroborated these sentiments, accusing the party of engaging in bullying and exclusionary practices that have worsened under the leadership of Nooshi Dadgostar.
Both politicians intend to establish a new political platform that prioritizes issues over political positions, advocating for anti-racism, feminism, anti-capitalism, and anti-imperialism. They have made it clear that while they are leaving the Left Party, they will remain active in the Riksdag as independents, representing significant factions within Left Party and various communities, especially in Stockholm's suburbs.
In response to the departures, Vänsterpartiet's leadership denied the allegations, framing Riazat and Delgado Varas's exit as a result of inappropriate behavior. Party secretary Maria Forsberg reaffirmed confidence in the party's decisions, stating that the need to expel members was prompted by conduct that was not in alignment with the party's values. Under Nooshi Dadgostar, the party has adopted a tougher stance, which she labeled as a necessary shift for its current governance.