STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AFP) - Sweden's prime minister offered his backing Thursday to the migration minister who has faced scrutiny over his 16-year-old son's reported links to white supremacist groups.

The revelations led to accusations the government employed double standards, as minister Johan Forssell has been vocal about parental responsibility when it comes to youths involved in crime.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's center-right minority government, which is propped up by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, has also been accused of turning a blind eye to far-right extremism.

Expo, an anti-racism foundation and watchdog, last week reported that a "close relative" of an unnamed Swedish minister was "active in the violent far-right."

According to Expo, the relative had "collaborated" with an activist from the neo-Nazi Nordic Resistance Movement, "recruited" members to an extreme-right organization, and joined a "violent network."

Speaking to broadcaster TV4 on Thursday, Forssell said he would not resign and that his decision not to publicly address the allegations earlier had been done to protect his 16-year-old son.

"This has not been about protecting me as a politician, but about protecting a minor," he said.

Forssell also said he had not been aware of his son's activities when he was contacted by Sweden's security service Sapo a few weeks ago, and had been "shocked."

"Perhaps many parents can relate to not having a complete picture of what their children are doing on social media," he said, adding that his son was no longer active in such circles.

"This activity has ended, but our conversations will of course continue," the minister added.

Kristersson on Thursday said he still had "confidence" in Forssell, adding he believed the minister "acted as a responsible parent."

'Double standard'

On Wednesday, Sweden's Left Party said it would summon Forssell before a parliamentary committee once lawmakers return from the summer break.

The Nordic country's other two opposition parties, the Social Democrats and the Green Party, later backed the call for Forssell to answer questions.

The Left Party's migration policy spokesperson, Tony Haddou, highlighted Forssell's and the right-wing government's repeated emphasis on the importance of parental responsibility.

He told newspaper Dagens Nyheter that "you cannot engage in double standards. It is not credible at all."

In his interview with TV4, Forssell said parental responsibility was "a cornerstone of a good society."

"However, parental responsibility does not mean you always get it right. Sometimes you get it wrong."

"I detest all forms of extremism, including right-wing extremism," Forssell added.

Kristersson's government came into power in 2022, when his conservative Moderate Party for the first time opened up for collaborations with SD - which has previously come under criticism for members' links to different far-right or neo-Nazi groups.

SD leader Jimmie Akesson - at the helm since 2005 - has long sought to clean up the party's image.

Political scientist Marja Lemne told AFP that the revelations were particularly embarrassing for the government, which has put forward plans to require migrants to adhere to "honest living" or face deportation.

She believed the revelations could end up playing a role in the next election - due in September 2026.

"It depends of course on what else happens, but I don't think they can make it go away but staying silent," Lemne said.

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By JOHANNES LEDEL Agence France-Presse

Source: Courthouse News Service