Opposition leader says 'gypsy' twice on radio
The leader of the Social Democrats apologized after he used the word "gypsy" during a radio interview on Monday.
Stefan Löfven, who fronts the poll-topping Social Democrats, was left scrambling on Monday after an interview with Sveriges Radio (SR). During a conversation about beggars in Sweden, Löfven said he supported EU programmes "that ensure the Romani and the gypsies can integrate properly". The choice of words caused a splash in the Swedish tabloids, and Löfven offered an apology soon after. "I'm terribly sorry and I deeply regret using the expression," he later told the Expressen newspaper. He said that the word was "archaic, outdated, and offensive". The word zigenare was once used freely in Sweden, reported the TT news agency, but has come to be accepted as a derogatory word.
Comments
See Also
Stefan Löfven, who fronts the poll-topping Social Democrats, was left scrambling on Monday after an interview with Sveriges Radio (SR).
During a conversation about beggars in Sweden, Löfven said he supported EU programmes "that ensure the Romani and the gypsies can integrate properly".
The choice of words caused a splash in the Swedish tabloids, and Löfven offered an apology soon after.
"I'm terribly sorry and I deeply regret using the expression," he later told the Expressen newspaper.
He said that the word was "archaic, outdated, and offensive".
The word zigenare was once used freely in Sweden, reported the TT news agency, but has come to be accepted as a derogatory word.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.