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Social Democrats in row over monarchy

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Social Democrats in row over monarchy

One of the Social Democrats' leading figures thinks it's time to stop demanding a republic. Chairwoman of Social Democrat women, Nalin Pekgul, thinks the monarchy is good for democracy.

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In an opinion piece in the Dagens Nyheter newspaper, Pekgul highlights the king's positive role in combatting xenophobia in Sweden and the manner in which he unified the country following the tsunami disaster.

She also expresses her irritation at feminists who want to abolish the monarchy just at the time when the heir to the throne is a woman.

The king is especially important to immigrants, writes Pekgul, who regard the argument that it shouldn't be allowed to inherit power as meaningless, since the king doesn't have any power.

In her article, she even criticises the proposal for full financial scrutiny of the king's affairs. It shows the country doesn't trust the king, she believes.

Pekgul will now table a motion at the next party congress calling for the removal of the demand for a monarchy from the party programme.

But she got short shrift from party secretary, Marita Ulvskog.

"There are some people in the party who share her views, but there's no support amongst the grass roots for scrapping our demand for a republic," said Ulvskog to TT.

She added that it's natural to scrutinise how tax payers' money is spent.

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