Liberal leader accuses SVT host of being a “left-wing journalist”

Liberal Party leader Simona Mohamsson has agreed to be interviewed by influencer Edvin Törnblom for a pre-election series in Dagens Nyheter, while criticising public broadcaster SVT’s political interviewer Emil Persson as a “left-wing journalist” and “troublemaker,” reports SVT Nyheter.

Mohamsson wrote on X that she would “represent all of Tidö” in the interview with Törnblom, adding: “No left-wing journalist could be more disruptive than Emil Persson.” Her remarks follow her recent appearance on SVT’s Fördomsshowen (The Prejudice Show), hosted by Persson, where she was unable to name Sweden’s fundamental laws.

The programme’s editor-in-chief, Helena Olsson, responded to Mohamsson’s claim, stating: “It is surprising and yet a sign of the times that Mohamsson says this. We have full confidence in Emil Persson’s professionalism after he has made 300 episodes of The Prejudice Pod with integrity.”

Other party leaders—including Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (Moderates), Ebba Busch (Christian Democrats), and Jimmie Åkesson (Sweden Democrats)—have declined to participate in Dagens Nyheter’s election series, citing Törnblom’s past political statements, including his expressed admiration for former Social Democratic Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.

SVT reports it has sought comment from both Persson and Mohamsson without success.