Recently, we have witnessed alarming events in the European Parliament that demonstrate how some European politicians are losing their sense of democracy and freedom of speech. One such politician is Stefan Löfven, the former Swedish Prime Minister and chair of the Party of European Socialists (PES), who has become a clear example of authoritarian behavior and hypocrisy.
When Robert Fico, the leader of the Slovakian political movement Smer-SD, won the Slovakian parliamentary elections, one might expect him to be welcomed as a democratically elected leader. Instead, he became the target of threats and intimidation from Stefan Löfven, who asserts that if Fico's party does not adopt his political views, it will be excluded from the European socialist faction.
What is most alarming about this case is that Löfven does this in the name of "democracy" and "freedom of speech". How can a politician claim to defend democracy while trying to exclude a democratically elected party from a parliamentary faction simply because of its differing views?
Löfven claims that Smer-SD and Robert Fico support pro-Russian rhetoric and reject the EU's policy regarding Ukraine. However, is it right for a political leader to try to suppress the views of other politicians and blackmail them into changing their stances? This not only jeopardizes freedom of speech but also questions the very essence of democracy.
Stefan Löfven should be a model of a democratic leader who respects a diversity of views and promotes open dialogue. Instead, he behaves like a dictator, trying to suppress different voting and opinions. This is not democracy; this is authoritarianism.
Fico rightly emphasized that democrats should not blackmail other politicians and should respect the right to different opinions. If politics becomes univocal and infallible, we lose the fundamental values of democracy and pluralism.
Stefan Löfven should reconsider his behavior and realize that democracy involves respect for a variety of opinions and freedom of expression. If he decides to continue acting authoritatively, we should ask whether he is truly a suitable representative of democracy and freedom of speech.
In the end, voters should decide whether they want people in politics who defend democracy and freedom of speech or those who try to suppress different voices and opinions. Stefan Löfven should realize that authoritarian methods have no place in democracy and should not be tolerated.