'Reinfeldt could score voter coup with chest-piece tattoo'
An out of work artist from Gävle in eastern Sweden has a novel suggestion for Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt to help him overcome any perceived lack of support among the country’s young people.
“He’s in need of a renewal,” 22-year-old Sebastian Norde told The Local.
Norde, who has been unemployed since completing an art studies programme last spring, has a keen interest in tattoo art.
In December, the aspiring artist sent a hand written letter to Reinfeldt, accompanied by the sketch of a tattoo designed by Norde.
“Hi Fredrik,” begins the letter.
“I’ve been reading in the newspapers that you’ve been losing votes lately and I think I know how you can win more confidence and popularity among younger voters.”
The solution, according to Norde, is a tattoo featuring an “an old-school American” design. The tattoo includes a Viking-style ship and a horseshoe over of a shield of fire. Underneath the emblem is an inscription reading “Filippa”, referring to Reinfeldt’s wife, herself also a prominent politician.
“I think it would work well as a chest piece,” the letter continues.
If Reinfeldt decides to take Norde up on his offer, the prime minister would be guaranteed to achieve what would be a remarkable political conversion of at least one younger voter to his centre-right Moderate Party.
“If he got the tattoo, I’d vote for him for sure,” said Norde, who normally supports Sweden’s left-leaning Green Party.
Having endured about 10 months without success finding a job, Norde had little to say about Reinfeldt’s current employment policies.
But he did have one idea for the government to consider.
“They could give me state handouts to send tattoo designs to high ranking public officials. That would be pretty cool,” he said.
Norde still isn’t sure what the prime minister’s reaction to the tattoo proposal has been.
“I haven’t got an answer yet, but I’m waiting,” he said.
Markus Nordström, a spokesperson from the prime minister's office, said he was impressed by the tattoo design.
"It was a creative idea; the painting was like a work of art," he said.
"While the prime minister thinks it is important to reach out to young people, he has no plans to get a tattoo."
Sebastian Norde said his tattoo to Reinfeldt is only the first of many he plans to send to several Swedish celebrities in the coming months.
Next on the list is either fashion photographer Bingo Rimér or show jumping star Malin Baryard-Johnsson.
“They’re both people I just think would like a tattoo,” said Norde.
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“He’s in need of a renewal,” 22-year-old Sebastian Norde told The Local.
Norde, who has been unemployed since completing an art studies programme last spring, has a keen interest in tattoo art.
In December, the aspiring artist sent a hand written letter to Reinfeldt, accompanied by the sketch of a tattoo designed by Norde.
“Hi Fredrik,” begins the letter.
“I’ve been reading in the newspapers that you’ve been losing votes lately and I think I know how you can win more confidence and popularity among younger voters.”
The solution, according to Norde, is a tattoo featuring an “an old-school American” design. The tattoo includes a Viking-style ship and a horseshoe over of a shield of fire. Underneath the emblem is an inscription reading “Filippa”, referring to Reinfeldt’s wife, herself also a prominent politician.
“I think it would work well as a chest piece,” the letter continues.
If Reinfeldt decides to take Norde up on his offer, the prime minister would be guaranteed to achieve what would be a remarkable political conversion of at least one younger voter to his centre-right Moderate Party.
“If he got the tattoo, I’d vote for him for sure,” said Norde, who normally supports Sweden’s left-leaning Green Party.
Having endured about 10 months without success finding a job, Norde had little to say about Reinfeldt’s current employment policies.
But he did have one idea for the government to consider.
“They could give me state handouts to send tattoo designs to high ranking public officials. That would be pretty cool,” he said.
Norde still isn’t sure what the prime minister’s reaction to the tattoo proposal has been.
“I haven’t got an answer yet, but I’m waiting,” he said.
Markus Nordström, a spokesperson from the prime minister's office, said he was impressed by the tattoo design.
"It was a creative idea; the painting was like a work of art," he said.
"While the prime minister thinks it is important to reach out to young people, he has no plans to get a tattoo."
Sebastian Norde said his tattoo to Reinfeldt is only the first of many he plans to send to several Swedish celebrities in the coming months.
Next on the list is either fashion photographer Bingo Rimér or show jumping star Malin Baryard-Johnsson.
“They’re both people I just think would like a tattoo,” said Norde.
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