Pär Norling, group leader of the Sweden Democrats (SD) in Bollnäs, told national broadcaster Sveriges Television (SVT), "Ban Islam in Sweden and deport those who persist in believing in the religion." The neo-nazi Swedish Resistance Movement marched in the central Swedish town of Bollnäs earlier this summer, after a controversial rape case had rocked the community. On Saturday they marched again and anti-racist protests were held nearby.
Swedish Democratic Norling said he does not approve of Nazism, but mainly considers it a by-product of immigration. He also agrees with the neo-nazis that Islam has no place in Sweden.
He said, "That can exist elsewhere but in Sweden it doesn't fit in."
When asked what should be done with those who still want to practice the religion, despite it being banned, Norling responded, "Then the solution is deportation."
This is the second time in days that Swedish Democratic politicians have benn in similar controversies. On Friday, the Swedish Democrat Sven-Erik Karlsson remarked on the harassment Somalian families have been suffering from teens in the southern Swedish town Forserum, saying that all Swedish municipalities should have gangs to harass refugees.
After the uproar that followed, Karlsson resigned his position on Saturday.