ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Kurdish politician from Sweden’s Social Democratic Party said there is a strong possibility that a Kurd could become a minister if the party returns to power in the upcoming election, as it seeks to mobilize support among the country’s Kurdish community.
Kadir Kasirga, the Social Democrats’ candidate for the Swedish parliament, told Rudaw’s Hemen Abdulla during an interview aired on Friday that the party has several qualified Kurdish figures who could take up ministerial positions in a future government.
“First of all, we have to win this election and form a government led by Magdalena Andersson. Within our ranks, we have capable and qualified Kurdish figures who can take on this responsibility, including Lawen Redar, a young woman who is our party’s spokesperson on integration affairs. Lawen is very active and capable, and when we form a government, she will be one of its ministers,” Kasirga said.
Redar, a Kurdish-Swedish politician, is a member of parliament for the Social Democrats.
Kasirga said Kurds have established a significant presence in Swedish society and politics.
“Kurds are a very important and prominent part of Swedish society. They have played a significant role in the fields of art, culture, business and politics, and there are many highly capable Kurdish figures,” he said.
More than 200 Kurdish candidates are running on the lists of different parties, particularly the Social Democrats, according to Kasirga, who said he hoped Kurdish political representation would continue to grow.
“It is a source of pride that the number of Kurdish names on the lists is increasing. We hope that by 2030, this number will reach 300 to 400 candidates,” he said.
Kasirga also addressed concerns among Sweden’s Kurdish community over political issues in recent years, including Sweden’s accession to NATO. He acknowledged there had been some misunderstandings but said the Social Democrats, during their four years in opposition, have worked to become more closely engaged with issues affecting the Kurdish diaspora and Kurdistan.
The Social Democrats lost power following Sweden’s 2022 parliamentary election, despite remaining the country’s largest party. The center-right bloc secured a narrow majority in parliament, paving the way for a government led by Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson.
The Social Democrats, led by former prime minister Andersson, are seeking a return to government in Sweden’s next parliamentary election.
