Caroline Nordengrip (born 1980) is a Swedish politician and former member of the Riksdag from 2018 to 2022 for the Sweden Democrats. She represents the constituency of Västra Götaland County.[1][2] In 2023, she joined the International Legion as a soldier following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Caroline Nordengrip | |
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Member of the Riksdag | |
In office 2018–2022 | |
Constituency | Västra Götaland County South |
Personal details | |
Born | 1980 (age 43–44) Bollebygd, Västra Götaland County, Sweden |
Political party | Sweden Democrats |
Military career | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 2023–present |
Rank | Sergeant |
Battles/wars | |
Biography
editPolitics
editNordengrip is a native of Bollebygd. She served in the Swedish Army after leaving school before working as a lorry driver.[3] She has sat on the local council for the SD in Bollebygd and has also served as the party's national ombudsman. She has cited concerns about security, transport and the countryside as her main reasons for getting involved in politics.[4] While in parliament, Nordengrip called for harsher penalties against convicted child molesters, including chemical castration.[5]
Ukraine
editIn April 2023, responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Nordengrip announced she would not seek another term in the Riksdag for the 2022 election and enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine's International Legion.[6] She had visited Ukraine during her political career.[3] She first announced the decision on her Instagram page and stated that she was motivated to do so after listening to a speech from the Ukrainian ambassador to Sweden and hearing reports of the Bucha massacre. She also elaborated "It is easy to get peace if you give up, but you will then lose freedom. Without freedom, we have no democracy." Her decision was supported by the Sweden Democrats and MPs from other parties.[3][7]
References
edit- ^ "Caroline Nordengrip (SD) - Riksdagen". www.riksdagen.se (in Swedish).
- ^ "#1 – Caroline Nordengrip | Sverigedemokraterna i Bollebygd". bollebygd.sd.se (in Swedish).[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c "Former Swedish Lawmaker Signs Contract to Serve with Ukrainian Armed Forces". Kyiv Post. 24 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ^ Engström, Anne (1 September 2018). "Caroline Nordengrip invald i riksdagen". Borås Tidning (in Swedish).
- ^ Kotanen Hallbeck, Linda; Lindberg, Linda; Nordengrip, Caroline (9 January 2021). "Debatt: 'Skydda alltid våra barn'" [Debate: "Always protect our children"]. Barometern (in Swedish). Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Engström, Anne (17 April 2023). "Caroline, 42, går in i kriget – redo att skickas till fronten". Borås Tidning (in Swedish). Retrieved 21 April 2023.
- ^ "'Worth Fighting For': Why A Swedish Politician Joined The Ukrainian Armed Forces". 24 April 2023.