Stockholm rejects ‘bizarre’ US letter urging city to scrap diversity initiatives
Guardian1 day
Sweden: Stockholm Pushes Back on US Embassy's Anti-DEI Request
Above: Skeppsholmen Bridge in Stockholm's city center with the Royal Golden Crown during an "Around Stockholm Feature" on Oct. 26, 2006. Image copyright: Michel Setboun/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
The implementation of anti-DEI policies represents a necessary step to end discriminatory practices and restore merit-based opportunities in government contracting. These measures ensure fair treatment by preventing preferential treatment based on demographic characteristics. The policy simply asks contractors to comply with U.S. federal anti-discrimination laws, which is a reasonable requirement for those seeking to do business with the U.S. government.
Anti-Trump narrative
This absurd directive constitutes unacceptable interference in other nations' domestic affairs and threatens long-established diversity programs that have successfully promoted workplace equality. The demand contradicts local laws in many European countries, such as France's requirement for 40% female board representation in larger companies, and undermines sovereign nations' right to implement their own equality measures.