The net will be in place next week and is a temporary solution. There will also be an increased police presence in and around the stands and at the entrance, according to the Speaker.
The incident in the chamber on October 3 is unacceptable and anti-democratic. I advocate for an open parliament, but at the same time, we must have a safe parliament, says Andreas Norlén.
We will try to set up a net for parts of the stands to simply make it impossible to throw objects into the chamber.
"Ongoing process"
There have been reports that it may be possible to set up plexiglass on the stands, but if it is something that can become a more permanent solution, the Speaker cannot answer.
We have an ongoing process to see what can be done in the long term.
Security personnel will also be reinforced on the stands and in connection with the stands when there are sensitive debates, he says.
We will now have an extended collaboration with the police, a clearly increased police presence in and around the stands, both at the entrance and in other contexts.
The decision comes after an extraordinary meeting on Thursday morning. It is one of several meetings about security in parliament – primarily about the chamber and the public gallery – that have been held after pro-Palestinian activists threw a bag of tomatoes at Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) during a debate on October 3.
"Not the prettiest"
Camilla Brodin, group leader for the Christian Democrats, thinks it is a necessary and good temporary solution that takes into account the entire security aspect in the chamber – while also advocating for the openness of parliament.
It should, of course, be possible to take part in the democratic conversation that takes place in the chamber, she says to TT.
The net may not be the prettiest, but aesthetics must take a back seat to security.
Even the Speaker believes that one has advocated for open conversation and that it will be just as easy for the public to follow parliamentary debates on site.
I wouldn't say it restricts openness in parliament, but the chamber's meetings will continue to be public, says Norlén.
On Friday next week, the Foreign Minister will debate the development in the Middle East again, and until then, the solution will be in place.
