"Representation of Female Immigrants in the Swedish Parliament: Is There Room for Diversity?"

This article explores how immigrant women are represented within the two largest parliamentary parties in Sweden and Denmark; within the Swedish and Danish Social Democratic parties, the Swedish Moderate party; and the Danish Liberals, in 2010-2015. Apart from exploring the descriptive representation of immigrant women in the Swedish and Danish parliaments we explore whether immigrant representation results in diverse views on immigration and gender politics within the parties in question. We investigate whether different identities and experiences are recognized or whether female politicians with an immigrant background assimilate and adapt their views, in cases where their views might deviate, to the general party lines. Denmark and Sweden are interesting due to differences in public discourse and migration politics despite historical, cultural and socioeconomic commonalities. Sweden has hitherto emphasized liberal multiculturalism while Danish migration policy and discourse are more focused on assimilation. Our theoretical underpinnings are based on intersectionality and historical and feminist institutionalism, specifically the politics of presence, which explores the link between a critical mass in politics and critical acts. Our first findings are mixed. The number of immigrant parliamentarians does not reach the level of foreign-born citizens in Sweden or in Denmark. Nevertheless, all parties allow for diverse views on immigrant politics that deviates to some extent from the general party lines.