Swedish minister's banana phobia causes stir as emails leak

Paulina Brandberg's banana phobia prompts unusual measures to clear spaces of fruit.

Listen to article

A Swedish government minister’s phobia of bananas has sparked widespread attention after leaked emails revealed that her staff go to great lengths to ensure the fruit is removed from her vicinity.

Paulina Brandberg, Sweden's Minister for Gender Equality and Work Life, has openly discussed her unusual fear of bananas, calling it "the world’s weirdest phobia." Recent emails, published by Swedish newspaper Expressen, show her aides even coordinate with officials to clear rooms of any banana traces before she attends meetings.

One email from September to the Swedish speaker's office asked that "no traces of bananas must be in the room" prior to a meeting, citing a "strong allergy."

Other communications revealed that her staff were tasked with ensuring there were no bananas at an event she was attending, with one email stating, "We will secure the conference so that there are no bananas."

Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, expressed support for Paulina Brandberg, saying the issue had not affected the functioning of the government. “I have all the respect for people who have different phobias," Ulf Kristersson said. "It disturbs me when a hard-working cabinet minister is almost reduced to a phobia."

Paulina Brandberg, who did not comment directly to the media, confirmed to Expressen that she is receiving professional help for her phobia. Her colleague, Education Minister Johan Pehrson, called the media response to the issue "absurd," praising Paulina Brandberg’s liberal credentials and past work on behalf of vulnerable women.

Opposition members also rallied behind Paulina Brandberg. Teresa Carvalho, the Social Democrats’ legal policy spokesperson, voiced solidarity, stating that she too shares the same phobia. "We have had many tough debates about working conditions, but on this issue we stand united against a common enemy," she said.