Swedish MEP Abir Al-Sahlani has filed a police complaint accusing Danish MEP Kristoffer Storm of racist hate speech, following her condemnation of far-right anti-immigration chants in the European parliament. The complaint, filed last week with Swedish police, relates to the aftermath of rightwing MEPs chanting 'send them back' after a vote on increasing deportations across the EU.
Background of the Incident
In the European parliament hemicycle, Al-Sahlani, an Iraqi-born Swedish MEP with the Centre party, addressed lawmakers, calling the far-right chants a 'new low'. 'I have never felt as unsafe in this parliament,' she said. 'The shouting of the far right was not against a political opponent, it was “send them back”. It was about ordinary people who did no other “crime” than looking for a better life in Europe.'
As her comments circulated on social media, two MEPs from rightwing populist parties responded. Finnish MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen of the Finns party wrote 'Cry more' in response to a clip of her speech, while Danish MEP Kristoffer Storm of the Denmark Democrats said she 'should go home'.
Legal Action and Allegations
On Wednesday, Al-Sahlani confirmed she had filed a police complaint solely against Storm, accusing him of racist and hate speech. She noted that Swedish police were uncertain how to handle Tynkkynen's social media post. Both men have denied the accusations. Storm stated in an email that his remarks 'were neither intended to be racist nor can they be reasonably characterised as racist'. He later explained to Politico that 'go home' meant she would have been better off leaving the chamber to reflect.
Tynkkynen described the allegations as 'false accusations' and said he planned to file a complaint regarding them, though details were not provided.
Broader Context and Reactions
The confrontation highlights deep divisions in the European parliament, where far-right and rightwing populist MEPs now constitute about a quarter of lawmakers—a record—while minority ethnic representation remains low. Al-Sahlani expressed sadness for European democracy, saying, 'Really, this is the level of our politicians? But also disappointed because, really, c’mon guys. I’m your colleague.'
The rightwing comments prompted support for Al-Sahlani online, alongside rape and death threats. Her political group, Renew Europe, backed her. Group leader Valérie Hayer stated, 'Racism has no place in our institutions, and those who spread it must face the consequences.' Hayer called on European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to take disciplinary action against Storm and Tynkkynen, writing, 'A clear and consistent response would send an important message that intimidation, harassment and behaviour that demeans our institution have no place in the European parliament.'
Metsola's office described the incidents as 'regrettable' and affirmed zero tolerance for actions undermining respect or dignity. On Monday, Metsola addressed parliament, saying, 'There is a line, and that was crossed last plenary,' and promised action to prevent recurrence.
Impact and Reflection
Al-Sahlani hesitated before speaking out, noting, 'People with my colour skin – there are not so many of us in that room. I hesitated for a very long time. Should I take the fall? What will they then scream at me?' She decided to act, considering the broader context: 'They attacked people who have no power. And that should scare anyone in Europe, because if you start to attack the weakest people, then it’s a slippery slope towards something much, much worse.'
She criticised centre-right lawmakers for 'enabling the fascists', citing the deportations legislation that sparked the chants. The legislation, described by Amnesty International as 'absurd, cruel and discriminatory' and criticised by over a dozen UN experts, was passed after much of the centre right allied with the far right. Al-Sahlani said, 'We could have had better legislation, but they chose the most inhumane, undignified content.'
