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Sweden Today

Swedish news in English

Friday, November 8, 2024

Nepotism Scandal Rocks Swedish Politics

Published: 2024-04-23

Sweden's unemployment rate is on the rise, and job listings are dwindling.

In a recent controversy, Anna Kinberg Batra, a former Moderate Party leader and current Governor of Stockholm, is under investigation by the Ombudsman for potential nepotism following the appointment of a close friend to a coveted government job without a public application process.

This incident, revealed by Aftonbladet, highlights a broader issue of 'friendship corruption' within Swedish politics, particularly among the Stockholm Moderates, with previous instances involving high-profile names such as Irene Svenonius and Filippa Reinfeldt.

Transparency International's latest report places Sweden at a historically low rank regarding corruption, indicating a troubling trend of positions of trust being misused for personal gain or to favor friends and acquaintances.