Sjöstedt could change Swedish politics at it's core
To other ominous signs the Social Democrats can now add one more: Jonas Sjöstedt is set to give Håkan Juholt a match over who is Sweden's foremost red leader.
Delusions of grandeur? Maybe.
Tactics and solid self-confidence? Definitely.
Ever since the party break 1917, in connection with the Russian Revolution, the Left has lived in the shadow of the Social Democrats.
Any S-government has known that they have a support party that sets up in the case. And they have been able to count on not being challenged by their little brother.
But this is the end of the honeymoon. In his speech to the party Congress yesterday, recently elected the V leader Jonas Sjöstedt was extraordinarily clear.
- We are the socialist alternative in Swedish politics, no doubt about it, he said, and pointed out that the Left continue to take up more space in the debate and also attract more voters.
In short, Sjöstedt reasons like this: The Social Democrats are in serious decline. And they are wimpy. So there is a space for the Left.
- A social democracy that has lost direction and who wants to keep half of the RUT-deductions (ETA: policy implemented by the right-wingers that gives tax deductions for hiring maids), adopt the euro later, and who accept the right-wing tax policies, can no longer formulate a policy of full employment, said Sjöstedt.
Instead, he wants V to be the leftist option in Swedish politics. The goal is full employment. The tools are called socialism, feminism, climate adaptation and to actively use state enterprises and organizations to implement policy.
- Socialist solutions are the future.
Sjöstedt would not even call Håkan Juholt the opposition leader, a title that normally goes to the President of the largest opposition party in parliament. According to Sjöstedt is Juholt chairman of the Social Democrats and there are at least two other parties belonging to the opposition. Naturally, he leads one of them.
So far, the Social Democrats' protracted crisis has not led to any major changes in the political landscape. The Green Party has certainly given a new impetus in the polls and have proclaimed themselves the third power in the political field.
But when Sjöstedt challenges the Social Democrats as the leading party in the red half of the playing field, he talks about something else entirely. It would, if he is successful, fundamentally change Swedish politics. And it may not be in favour of the red-greens.
But can the President of a 5.6-percent party really challenge the leader of a party with 30.7 percent of the electorate behind him? Or is he just a roaring mouse?
Apparently, he can challenge. But if successful, we will know in several years.
It is clear that Sjöstedt has already developed aspirations for his party. His speech was interrupted at least 21 times by applause. Many were accompanied by foot-stomping and, at least one occasion, shouts of "bravo".
I have been to many party congresses in my life, but I have not experienced anything like it. Sjöstedt is king of the Left Party after only two days.
Self confidence is the primary nutrient of politics. Håkan Juholt has good reason to think about what his response will be.
source: http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/kolumnister/lenamellin/article14182364.ab
I haven't been this excited about politics since last election! seriously considering re-joining the party rn. they want to legislate for mandatory 6 hour workdays, ban staffing companies, guarantee full-time for all workers, 0% unemployment, swedish rights for foreign workers, etc. etc. basically, if they get real power, shit will hit the fan in the best way possible
Delusions of grandeur? Maybe.
Tactics and solid self-confidence? Definitely.
Ever since the party break 1917, in connection with the Russian Revolution, the Left has lived in the shadow of the Social Democrats.
Any S-government has known that they have a support party that sets up in the case. And they have been able to count on not being challenged by their little brother.
But this is the end of the honeymoon. In his speech to the party Congress yesterday, recently elected the V leader Jonas Sjöstedt was extraordinarily clear.
- We are the socialist alternative in Swedish politics, no doubt about it, he said, and pointed out that the Left continue to take up more space in the debate and also attract more voters.
In short, Sjöstedt reasons like this: The Social Democrats are in serious decline. And they are wimpy. So there is a space for the Left.
- A social democracy that has lost direction and who wants to keep half of the RUT-deductions (ETA: policy implemented by the right-wingers that gives tax deductions for hiring maids), adopt the euro later, and who accept the right-wing tax policies, can no longer formulate a policy of full employment, said Sjöstedt.
Instead, he wants V to be the leftist option in Swedish politics. The goal is full employment. The tools are called socialism, feminism, climate adaptation and to actively use state enterprises and organizations to implement policy.
- Socialist solutions are the future.
Sjöstedt would not even call Håkan Juholt the opposition leader, a title that normally goes to the President of the largest opposition party in parliament. According to Sjöstedt is Juholt chairman of the Social Democrats and there are at least two other parties belonging to the opposition. Naturally, he leads one of them.
So far, the Social Democrats' protracted crisis has not led to any major changes in the political landscape. The Green Party has certainly given a new impetus in the polls and have proclaimed themselves the third power in the political field.
But when Sjöstedt challenges the Social Democrats as the leading party in the red half of the playing field, he talks about something else entirely. It would, if he is successful, fundamentally change Swedish politics. And it may not be in favour of the red-greens.
But can the President of a 5.6-percent party really challenge the leader of a party with 30.7 percent of the electorate behind him? Or is he just a roaring mouse?
Apparently, he can challenge. But if successful, we will know in several years.
It is clear that Sjöstedt has already developed aspirations for his party. His speech was interrupted at least 21 times by applause. Many were accompanied by foot-stomping and, at least one occasion, shouts of "bravo".
I have been to many party congresses in my life, but I have not experienced anything like it. Sjöstedt is king of the Left Party after only two days.
Self confidence is the primary nutrient of politics. Håkan Juholt has good reason to think about what his response will be.
source: http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/kolumnister/lenamellin/article14182364.ab
I haven't been this excited about politics since last election! seriously considering re-joining the party rn. they want to legislate for mandatory 6 hour workdays, ban staffing companies, guarantee full-time for all workers, 0% unemployment, swedish rights for foreign workers, etc. etc. basically, if they get real power, shit will hit the fan in the best way possible