SD Criticizes Expensive Lectures with Ghazale and Pascalidou

The Sweden Democrats (SD) in Lilla Edet have sharply criticized the municipality’s decision to use tax funds for lectures featuring public figures who have openly and repeatedly taken a hostile political stance against the party. Even though SD has now withdrawn its demand to stop the events, questions remain regarding both impartiality and costs—especially following revelations about high fees.

The conflict in Lilla Edet escalated after the municipality invited Nadim Ghazale and Alexandra Pascalidou to give lectures and participate in author talks at the library. The Sweden Democrats—the largest party in the municipality—argue that both are outspoken opinion leaders who frequently and harshly attack SD, and therefore cannot reasonably be considered neutral cultural figures.

In a debate article in the local newspaper Alekuriren, SD representatives Frej Dristig and Niclas Ahlberg argued that publicly funded culture must be characterized by impartiality, especially when events take place less than a year before an election. Their criticism was not aimed at the freedom of expression of these individuals, but rather at the fact that their appearances are funded by taxpayers.

Withdraw Demand for Ban—but Not the Core Issue

After national attention, SD has withdrawn its demand to stop Ghazale’s and Pascalidou’s participation. However, the party emphasizes that the underlying issue remains—why the municipality is using taxpayer money for speakers who, according to SD, represent a one-sided ideological stance.

In their debate article, SD reiterates that this is not about silencing anyone, but about how public funds are used and whether the municipality actually acts neutrally.

Frej Dristig (SD) and Niclas Ahlberg (SD). Photo: SD

Bulletin’s Investigation: 87,500 SEK for Ghazale

The issue gained new momentum when the newspaper Bulletin revealed that Lilla Edet municipality was invoiced a total of 87,500 SEK for three lectures by Nadim Ghazale—two for secondary school students and one open evening lecture. According to Ghazale himself, his personal fee is 16,000 SEK per lecture, in line with the reported minimum rates, while the remaining costs were due to booking arrangements through the speakers’ agency Athena.

Alexandra Pascalidou states that she also works according to minimum fees around 16,000 SEK. Since both are represented by the same booking agency, critics argue it is reasonable to also scrutinize Pascalidou’s total compensation.

Ghazale’s Background Continues to Attract Criticism

Nadim Ghazale is a police officer and commentator who has long been a controversial figure. He has received attention for making harsh statements about the Sweden Democrats on social media, where he has for instance compared the party and its voters to Nazism, used profanity, and likened a vote for SD to “eating feces.” In one notable case, he hung a picture in a police station in which SD’s party flower was combined with a swastika.

Additionally, older posts where he described Israel as “cancer” have resurfaced in light of the war with Hamas in Gaza. Altogether, SD argues that this clearly illustrates Ghazale’s activist stance, making it difficult to see him as a non-political public commentator.

Pascalidou: SR Quarantine and Plagiarism Criticism

Alexandra Pascalidou is also known for her activist, SD-hostile stance and has a controversial background. In previous elections, Sveriges Radio has deemed her too politically controversial to host programs and placed her in quarantine during the election campaign, precisely due to the requirement for impartiality.

She has also on several occasions been accused of—and admitted to—plagiarism in her columns, including those in Metro, which in 2015 led to her losing her position. This is cited as further evidence that she is not a neutral cultural figure, especially with a new election approaching.

Sharp Criticism from Swedish PEN—SD Rejects Parallels

At the same time, criticism of SD has been harsh. Swedish PEN and Pascalidou herself have warned of a development where politicians cast suspicion on authors and invoked the risk of “book burnings” and comparisons with totalitarian states.

The Sweden Democrats reject these comparisons as unserious. The party emphasizes that they do not wish to prevent either Ghazale or Pascalidou from speaking—but only question why such clearly profiled activists are given opportunities at the taxpayers’ expense.

While the municipality defends its bookings as part of a broad cultural offering, questions regarding costs, impartiality, and timing before the election year persist. The debate in Lilla Edet thus shows no signs of dying down—if anything, it is intensifying.