“Traitor”: Jimmie Åkesson's tribute to NATO is seen

Published 7 March 2024 at 19.20

Domestic. Jimmie Åkesson receives harsh criticism on social media after praising NATO and Sweden's membership in the US-led military alliance.

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On Thursday it was it is finally clear that Sweden has become a member of NATO.

The announcement was quickly commented on by various politicians. One of them was Jimmie Åkesson, party leader of the Sweden Democrats who, until recently, was against Swedish NATO membership.

Åkesson writes in X that Sweden “is indeed a nation that for 200 years affirmed freedom of military alliance”, but that it is worth breaking with that tradition after Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago.

He also claims that “NATO entry today has broad support among the Swedish people”.

“My conviction is that Sweden is from now on a safer country, not least together with Finland and the rest of the Nordic countries. After decades of mismanagement of our national defense, I see no realistic alternative to NATO membership,” writes Åkesson further.

Among the comments on the SD leader's post, a very large proportion are negative.

“It is so obvious that you have been bought”, writes one user – and another is on the same track:

“Wallenberg must have east money over you. You are only pretend patriots, ashamed to have voted for you. Last time was the last time.”

Jimmie Åkesson is also accused of being a “traitor” and “anti-Swedish” and the like. Users are also questioning whether the post is AI-generated.

Traitor

— Fredrik (@Engdahl_Fredrik) March 7, 2024