Where is the line drawn for the forces that now accuse foreign minister Margot Wallström (Social Democrat) and the government of leading an irresponsible foreign policy? This is an honest question. I really want to know. Is there any violation of human rights that would silence the hypocrisy, that would make all these critical voices at least place morality on the same level as consideration for export incomes?

We now know that brutal flogging penalties, persecution of dissidents and systematic discrimination of women are not enough. The aftermath to the cancelled arms deal with Saudi Arabia shows that there is a strong lobby prepared to go very far to restrain a feminist foreign policy.

It demands that everything continues just as before. No more taking stand against dictatorships, no more standing up for women beyond the own borders – not as long as it could have the slightest consequences on our trade exchange.

The government is now under pressure. Obviously from Saudi Arabia, which urges forward other emirates (expect more such acts of vengeance following the Arab League summit). But the critical voices are for the most part domestic: corporate leaders, who prioritize trade billions over their moral honour, as well as the leading opposition party, the Moderate Party, which risks to undermine the possibility we now face – actually having a foreign policy to be proud of – by trying to harm the government in general and Margot Wallström in particular.

Party leader Anna Kinberg Batra claims that Wallström’s new approach “impairs” Sweden.

That is an astounding statement.

Add to these opponents the liberal and conservative editorial pages, as well as the faction of Social Democrats that still argues that generating Swedish jobs should be the main objective of our foreign policy.

No, we absolutely cannot take for granted that Sweden will have a feminist foreign policy from now on. The tug of war continues.

Journalist and author Maria-Pia Boëthius wrote an editorial on this in ETC Helg, which soon was shared and liked by 20 000 people.

“This is it! As the first foreign minister in world history, Margot Wallström has proclaimed that she wants to lead a feminist foreign policy. This is at once subversive, brave and sensational,” Boëthius wrote and then continued:

“We have to recognize a politician who, much to our astonishment, actually accomplishes things in the service of equality and human rights. And support her. One does not have to be for or against the person Margot Wallström – one simply needs to look at what she actually accomplishes: so far, it is quite extraordinary, although Swedish major media try to depict her as the opposite, as a threat.”

Yes, something fantastic has happened.

A foreign policy acquiring a spine.

Do not let the hypocrites ruin that.

Dagens ETC therefore starts a petition for a feminist, fair and brave foreign policy in a spirit of solidarity. You do not have to be Swedish to sign. Sign it if this is the role you want Sweden to take on. Sign it if you want a foreign policy formulated by politicians, not by corporate interests. Sign it if you think that Wallström deserves your support – that her approach actually makes Sweden, and perhaps even the global community, stronger.

You find the petition here (via Avaaz).