Anger within Sweden’s Left Party over Mohamed Ali: Leadership accused of special treatment

EURO TIMES / Stockholm — Anger is growing within Sweden’s Left Party (Vänsterpartiet) over its leadership’s handling of MP Mohamed Abdukardir Ali, with members and former party officials accusing the leadership of granting him special treatment despite disputes over a personal election campaign, his debts and inaccurate information in his CV.

According to a report published by Expressen, criticism now extends beyond how Ali won his parliamentary seat to the party’s decision to exempt him from financial contributions normally paid by elected representatives.

Dispute over preferential votes in Dalarna

Ali entered the Riksdag representing Dalarna after winning enough preferential votes to move ahead of Frida Holmgren, who had topped the party’s regional electoral list. Holmgren, a former deputy chair of the local party organisation, has sharply criticised the leadership’s response, saying she no longer recognises the party she joined.

Her comments, also reported by Omni, reflect frustration among members who believe the party’s collectively agreed candidate rankings have been undermined.

Personal campaign at odds with party guidelines

Left Party guidelines discourage candidates from conducting personal campaigns intended to overturn the ranking approved by party members. Ali publicly discussed his personal campaign, while social media advertisements urged voters to give him preferential votes. Critics argue that this conflicts with the party’s approach to internal democracy.

Exemption from the party contribution

Another flashpoint is Ali’s exemption from the party’s so-called partiskatt, a financial contribution made by elected Left Party representatives. According to Expressen, the exemption was intended to allow him to repay debts registered with Sweden’s Enforcement Authority, Kronofogden.

Holmgren has questioned why Ali received an exception when other representatives are expected to pay, particularly in light of reporting about unpaid tax liabilities and child-maintenance obligations.

Questions over his CV

Separate reporting has raised discrepancies between Ali’s CV and records of his education and employment. Ali has acknowledged that some dates and details were inaccurate but denied intending to mislead anyone.

Separate investigation into election-related allegations

The controversy comes alongside an investigation into suspected electoral irregularities in Borlänge connected to preferential voting. Ali has not been notified that he is suspected of a crime and has denied involvement in wrongdoing. The municipality previously said it had found no evidence of systematic electoral fraud inside polling stations.

The Left Party leadership has not demanded Ali’s resignation. Parliamentary group leader Samuel Gonzalez Westling has defended giving him the opportunity to address past difficulties and fulfil his parliamentary responsibilities, while internal criticism continues.

Sources: Expressen; Omni.