“Full understanding” – see what Tobias Andersson (SD) believes the Sweden Democrats mean by the election advertising that has now been taken down from two buses in Skaraborg. Västtrafik has chosen not to be interviewed. Photo: George Adam/SVT
Election sabotage, say the Sweden Democrats and MP Tobias Andersson (SD) who fronts the posters. Not at all, responds Västtrafik, which states that the decision is about a work environment issue, two buses and two SD posters.
– Other advertising from the Sweden Democrats throughout the region remains as planned, writes Västtrafik in a comment to SVT.
“Do you miss Mogadishu? The repatriation grant will help you get home.” The message on the posters led to around twenty bus drivers of Somali origin calling in sick in protest, which SR P4 Skaraborg was first to report on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, MP Tobias Andersson (SD) is in his home district of Skaraborg, and when SVT meets him in Tidaholm, he is still questioning Västtrafik’s decision.
– We had a long conversation about this, and then they chose to print and post these messages. Then they change their minds afterwards, says the SD member whose face adorns the now-removed posters.
Västra Götaland Region – elections 2026
Västtrafik about the drivers: “Grateful”
Already on Tuesday, Västtrafik stated that it was all about the work environment problem for the drivers in Skaraborg. The Municipal Trade Union described on Wednesday that “the bus drivers were feeling very bad” .
Västtrafik does not want to be interviewed but writes in a comment that there are a total of two SD posters that have been taken down from two buses in Skaraborg.
Can you understand that SD can see it as Västtrafik just finding a way here to justify a decision in order to censor the Sweden Democrats?
– We do not believe that we have censored anyone. We treat all advertisers equally and we are not allowed to censor political messages. The advertisements that were taken down posed a work environment problem for the drivers in Skaraborg, writes Henrik Kjellberg, press communicator at Västtrafik.
What do the bus drivers tell you?
– It was their employer (Nobina, editor’s note) who conducted a risk assessment regarding the fact that they experienced insecurity and were subjected to harassment at work because of these messages. What we have learned is that they are grateful that the messages have now been taken down so that they can continue to have a safe working environment. They are back at work.
“If you miss Mogadishu, we will inform you…”
Tobias Andersson (SD) says he fully understands that the drivers may have encountered messages that they disagree with or dislike.