Top Sweden Democrat faces sack after criticism
One of the Sweden Democrats most high profile local politicians is facing expulsion from the party after criticising the leadership.
Allan Jönsson from Bjuv in southern Sweden stands to be kicked out of the party, according to a report in Helsingborgs Dagblad (HD).
Jönsson has previously criticised the party executive for being too dominant and for drawing excessive remuneration over and above their MP salaries. Furthermore Jönsson has argued that the party places too much focus on the immigration issue.
The party hierarchy has now tired of Jönsson's outspoken approach and the membership committee has commenced a process of expulsion, the newspaper reported.
The committee denies that the Sweden Democrats do not allow critical debate within their ranks, arguing instead that the criticism has to be conducted internally and that the media is not the forum to "smear fellow party members".
Bjuv in Skåne is one of 30 municipalities where the Sweden Democrats hold the balance of power. At the 2010 election the party won 19.6 percent of the votes and six seats, the highest showing for the party in a local election.
Allan Jönsson personally received the most electoral votes among the candidates on the party list.
Jönsson will be given a chance to respond to the expulsion process, which will be completed with a decision on his future in June.
The popular local politician is however unrepentant and denied that his comments have damaged the party.
"No they have managed that better themselves," he told HD without naming the individuals to which he was referring.
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Allan Jönsson from Bjuv in southern Sweden stands to be kicked out of the party, according to a report in Helsingborgs Dagblad (HD).
Jönsson has previously criticised the party executive for being too dominant and for drawing excessive remuneration over and above their MP salaries. Furthermore Jönsson has argued that the party places too much focus on the immigration issue.
The party hierarchy has now tired of Jönsson's outspoken approach and the membership committee has commenced a process of expulsion, the newspaper reported.
The committee denies that the Sweden Democrats do not allow critical debate within their ranks, arguing instead that the criticism has to be conducted internally and that the media is not the forum to "smear fellow party members".
Bjuv in Skåne is one of 30 municipalities where the Sweden Democrats hold the balance of power. At the 2010 election the party won 19.6 percent of the votes and six seats, the highest showing for the party in a local election.
Allan Jönsson personally received the most electoral votes among the candidates on the party list.
Jönsson will be given a chance to respond to the expulsion process, which will be completed with a decision on his future in June.
The popular local politician is however unrepentant and denied that his comments have damaged the party.
"No they have managed that better themselves," he told HD without naming the individuals to which he was referring.
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