Feminist Initiative: Sweden chooses feminism
They celebrated as eloquently on the previous election Sunday as hardly any other Swedish party: With 5.3 percent of the votes Feministiskt pulls Initiative into the European Parliament and sends one of Sweden's 20 MEPs to Brussels. "We were the first feminist party in the world to get a place in a parliament," said party leader Gudrun Schyman after the election victory. The media speak of a big surprise. In the last European elections in 2009 Feministiskt initiative had received only 2.2 percent, in the parliamentary election in 2010, there were only 0.4 percent. Now the party can send as many MPs to Brussels as the Swedish Christian Democrats, one of the established parties.
"Racists out, feminists in"
With the slogan "Racists out, feminists in," the party now wants to fight for equal rights and human rights in the European Parliament. One of their political goals for Europe, for example, is to extend the Swedish Prostitution Act to Europe, which penalizes the suitors and decriminalises prostitutes. In addition, Feministisk Initiativ wants to create the post of EU Commissioner for Equality and Anti-Discrimination.
The woman who wants to promote the feminist development of Europe is called Soraya Post. The 57-year-old Gothenburger was previously a relatively unknown fighter for human and women's rights. Born in Romni, she has been involved for years in the integration of Roma and Siniti in Europe. The Swedish newspaper "Dagens Nyheter" said the top candidate of feminist initiative: "Feminists are the best fighters against fascists and racists, who unfortunately play a major role in European politics again and again."
Feministiskt Initiativ is not only the first feminist party to sit in the European Parliament, but also the only one with a Romni chair. Only one Romni, who confesses her origins, sits in the European Parliament: the Hungarian Livia Járóka. However, it represents the other political shore, the right-wing conservative party Fidesz.
Why did so many Swedes vote feminist?
Sweden is known for its role as a leader in gender equality: the Scandinavian country often comes first when it comes to equality between men and women. But in recent years, many Swedes did not feel well represented by the major parties in this context. The feeling that the gender equality process was moving too slowly increased in the population. "When Feministiskt's initiative comes to Parliament, it also means that the other parties have to change as well - and not just make empty promises," says Andres Villareal. The 30-year-old artist from Stockholm has himself elected the feminist party. "Especially in the European elections, it is important that there is a party that is explicitly feminist: within Sweden, feminism is already relatively normal, and in Europe it is seen as something extreme, this party could contribute to the normalization of feminism outside of Sweden", says Villareal.
The Gudrun effect
The party attracts the attention of the media. Not least thanks to the charismatic party leader Gudrun Schyman - in Sweden one speaks of a "Gudrun effect". The former leader of the Swedish Left Party made a great campaign, including in social networks. She also introduced so-called home parties: citizens who showed interest in the party were visited by Schyman or other party members in their own home. Schyman is also considered one of Sweden's best rhetoricians - and has managed to use the stars like the singer Robyn or the former ABBA member Benny Andersson for the feminists.
The party was founded in 2005 by Gudrun Schyman and three other feminists. So far, the party had tried unsuccessfully to occupy a place in the European or Swedish parliament. After moving into the European Parliament is now celebrated.
