On Tuesday, the Sweden Democrats (SD) leader stated that he believes it is acceptable for Sweden to have a devout Muslim as Prime Minister. The statement has sparked debate in several quarters, and on Tuesday evening SD top official Richard Jomshof declared that he does not share this view. Afterward, the SD leader clarified that Sweden should have a Swedish Prime Minister.
The question was put to Åkesson in an interview with national radio’s P3 Morgonpasset, where he was asked if he could imagine a devout Muslim serving as Prime Minister in a future government.
During a quick-fire segment, the SD leader was asked if it is wrong to be both Prime Minister and a devout Muslim.
“No,” Åkesson replied.
The hosts later returned to the topic and asked him to elaborate. Åkesson explained that he considers religion a private matter.
“Faith in Sweden is a private matter,” he said, emphasizing that he does not interfere in people’s religious beliefs.
READ ALSO: Åkesson: Okay with Muslim Prime Minister
When asked by the hosts if this meant he was okay with a devout Muslim becoming Sweden’s Prime Minister, Åkesson replied that it is “completely fine.”
However, Åkesson made a clear distinction between religious beliefs and political demands.
“What matters is whether this is combined with having Sharia law in Sweden. That, I do not think is acceptable,” he said.
Jomshof: “No”
Since then, Åkesson’s statement has attracted significant attention on social media, where many have criticized his stance and questioned what the Sweden Democrats actually believe.
Within the party, there was silence after the party leader’s statement, but on Tuesday evening Richard Jomshof broke the silence in an interview with Kvartal magazine.
The magazine asked Jomshof if he agreed that it is acceptable for a devout Muslim to be Sweden’s Prime Minister.
“If by Muslim one means someone who believes in the original Islamic sources, for example, that women are worth less than men, that a Muslim cannot be friends with a Jew or Christian, that the whole world should be Islamized through holy war—jihad,” read host Staffan Dopping from Jomshof’s message and continued:
“That Muslims should persecute, oppress, and kill non-Muslims, or that the mass murderer, warlord, and slave trader is a role model, then my answer to your question is no.”
Åkesson: “Should be Swedish”
Subsequently, Åkesson clarified that he agrees Sweden should not have a Muslim Prime Minister. He argued that it would be “insanity” otherwise.
He further urges critics to listen to the entire P3 episode and to read what he himself has posted on social media in recent days.
