Löfven said, “gypsies” in radio – sorry – Aftonbladet

Löfven said, "gypsies" in radio – sorry – Aftonbladet

S leader Stefan Löfven was questioned by Swedish Radio P4 Extra, he used the word “Gypsy” when he would talk about Roma beggars.

A derogatory term for the ethnic minority.

– I am truly sorry and deeply regret that I used the term, he says.

When the journalist Lasse Bengtsson asked Stefan Löfven about what the Social Democrats want to do for the group of people begging on the streets of Sweden launched S-leader in responding to many of the beggars are from Romania.

– They have no means of livelihood at home. We believe that all countries have a responsibility to their residents, so that they can live decent lives, he continued in SR.

When he would talk about how the party would support increased rights for Roma, he landed wrong:

– There are support programs which the EU is involved in financing, in this case, to the gypsy to get an opportunity – that Roma and Gypsies later will get an opportunity – to be integrated in a proper way, in their own land he told Swedish Radio.

“sincerely sorry”

The term gypsy was common in the past, but is now considered derogatory for the ethnic Roma minority.

Party leader apologizes for word choice.

– I am truly sorry and deeply regret that I used that term. It is archaic, outdated and offensive.

He says he does not know why he said that he did.

Do you use that word?

– No. I do not think anyone has heard me use it before. I really do not know why it was so. It’s the wrong expression, it should not be said at all. It is just to apologize, it is offensive and wrong simply.

Löfven also says that he will make contact with Roma organizations after clefs tread.

– I’ll say that it was wrong and expressed that I apologize, he says.

An invective

Soraya Post, MEP for the Feminist Initiative, which is engaged in several years for Roma rights, sighs when she hears on the radio element:
– It was not very smart. But he may not be aware that it is outdated, she says first.

Romer is since 2000 a recognized minority in Sweden, and thus also began the fight to avoid being called gypsies, who come from the word zigano – untouchable, says Soraya Post.

– It’s a dirty word, and always have been throughout history. We Roma have pushed the fight in a number of years to avoid being called gypsies. If you have not been in these circles and heard this so there may be some who are less aware of what is appropriate.

She does not believe that Stefan Löfven expressed himself as he did to deliberately violate minority group.

– No, no. It’s busy times now, maybe went a little too fast. I want to believe that people are good, it was probably unconscious of him, she says.