The Sweden Democrats (SD) have initiated an investigation into Emilie Pilthammar after controversial statements she made regarding Ukraine and Russia were revealed by Expressen. In her blog, Pilthammar compared the choice between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to picking between 'the plague or cholera', questioning the integrity of both nations involved in the conflict. These comments have sparked backlash within the party, as they appear to contradict the party's stated positions on foreign affairs.

Mattias Bäckström Johansson, the SD's party secretary, emphasized that Pilthammar's remarks are inconsistent with the values of the party and that they misrepresent the realities of the situation. The investigation is being conducted by the party's membership committee, indicating the seriousness of the allegations and their potential implications for Pilthammar’s political career. Notably, she has taken on a significant role within the party as the leading candidate for Sölvesborg.

This situation underscores the internal challenges faced by the Sweden Democrats as they navigate sensitive issues in international politics, especially regarding Ukraine, given the heightened tensions with Russia. The outcome of this investigation could impact not only Pilthammar's future but also the party's public image and cohesiveness as they approach upcoming elections.