Swedish newspapers have called for the abolition of that country’s monarchy after hereditary head of state Carl Gustaf praised Brunei, a monarchy ruled largely by royal decree, on its “openness”. The small south east Asia country is categorised as “not free” by the Freedom House organisation, which monitors oppressive states.
Following the monarch’s statement the Dagens Nyheter newspaper said “The question has been asked before and it must be asked again: Why a monarchy?” The tabloid Aftonbladet declared that “The king must abdicate.” An article in that newspaper predicted that constitution crisis would lead to the fall of the Swedish monarchy.