Attacked with a tomato – escapes the parliament hall

Published 3 October 2024 at 16.34

Domestic. An interpellation debate in the Riksdag had to be interrupted today after what was described as a bag of tomatoes and red onions was thrown from the audience gallery at Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M).

Share the article

The incident occurred after Stenergard answered a question about the situation of Palestinians in the Middle East. Three people have been arrested and the police are investigating the incident.

On a video recording of the incident, a man and a woman can be heard shouting that the foreign minister supports Israel's genocide.

The debate had to be interrupted for cleaning and the auditorium was emptied .

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemns the tomato attack.

– I now expect a thorough analysis of how this could happen and powerful measures to maintain the safety of members of parliament and ministers in the chamber, he says to Expressen.

Even Maria Malmer Stenergard expresses her concern, for Dagens Nyheter.

– You must be able to participate in the conversation, you must be able to participate in a debate without having things thrown at you one. Especially in the Riksdag's chamber, which is the room of the people elected, she tells DN.