Response to interpellation 2022/23:239 on the independence of cultural heritage institutions and the principle of arm's length
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
M considers the principle of arm's length distance to be central to the government's cultural policy 1 2 and that the policy should not govern the content of culture based on ideological interests 1. M argues that the regulatory letters were cleared of political steering in January 2023 2 and that municipalities and regions are autonomous 3. S argues that politicians at local and regional levels are blocking free cultural practice 4 and that a shift in norms is occurring that restricts democratic values. S wants to condition cultural support to municipalities and regions that violate the principle and argues that the profession should decide what is shown in museums 5.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)
Madam Speaker! I would like to begin by thanking the chair and the members for their patience. I am late in responding to the interpellation. It should have happened already last week, but unfortunately, I was ill. That is why the response has been postponed, and for that, I apologize.
Lawen Redar has asked me what I intend to do to ensure that the principle of arm's length distance is upheld at the national, regional, and municipal levels. Lawen Redar has also asked how I ensure that civil servants within the activities of public culture can continue to work independently, autonomously, and impartially, and that the purpose clause, § 4, and the principle for distribution of responsibility, § 5, of the Museum Act are complied with.
Maintaining the principle of arm's-length distance within cultural policy is central for the government. This is evident from both the government statement and the Tidö Agreement. Policy shapes, to some extent, the conditions for creating, making accessible, enabling, and participating in culture, for example through the distribution of budget funds. On the other hand, policy should not govern the content of culture from the outside, for example based on ideological interests. This is a prerequisite for artistic freedom to prevail.
Before the change of government, the Agency for Cultural Analysis identified in the report *How free is art*, 2021, a number of areas where the current design and implementation of cultural policy were deficient in relation to the ideal of artistic freedom. From the start, it has therefore been a priority task for the government and for me as Minister for Culture to rectify such previous deficiencies, for example by reviewing the regulatory letters that govern the cultural institutions' activities. I welcome that the opposition is now also engaging in this issue.
The national cultural policy goals, as decided by the Riksdag, govern the state's cultural policy. A number of agencies within the cultural field have specific mandates that shall contribute to promoting the freedom of art and participation in cultural life.
When the cultural policy goals were adopted, it was also stated that they should be able to serve as inspiration and guidance for the policies in municipalities and regions. I consider it therefore worthwhile in this context to mention the review of the cultural cooperation model that is currently underway (Review of the cultural cooperation model for culture throughout the country, dir. 2022:103). The purpose of the review is that the model should be developed so that it can contribute to culture throughout the country and so that the national cultural policy goals are met. The assignment is, as is known, to be reported by September 29, 2023, at the latest. We look forward to that.
Since 2017, Sweden has also had a Museum Act (2017:563) which contains provisions regarding the public museum system. The Act stipulates that the museum heads shall ensure that museums within the public museum system have a decisive influence over the content of the activities. It is thus a responsibility that rests on several parties.
As Minister for Culture, I will continue to work to uphold the principle of arm's length distance and to strengthen the conditions for artistic freedom. I therefore thank you for the opportunity to once again emphasize this and take the debate.
Lawen Redar (S)
Madam Speaker! It looks roughly like this: The Minister for Culture refers to the government statement and the Tidö Agreement regarding that politics should not govern the content of culture, and the reality in more and more places in our country suggests the opposite. I wonder a lot about where we will be in a year, two years, or perhaps three years, and in how many places free cultural exercise, cultural activities, story hours, Lucia processions, contemporary art, exhibitions on Nazism, or books in languages other than Swedish will be stopped, cancelled, reported to the police, or hindered by politicians in our country.
The Minister for Culture stated as recently as last weekend in the Saturday interview that she is uncompromising when it comes to an arm's length distance, and at the same time, she is the first Minister for Culture in Sweden to build her mandate on the support of the Sweden Democrats. The Sweden Democrats have their own interpretation of the principle of an arm's length distance. A spokesperson recently expressed that politicians certainly should have the right to stop culture.
Madam Speaker! Culture is indeed being stopped in our country. In Sölvesborg, books in languages other than Swedish would not be available in the library's selection. In Norrköping's city museum, the image showing the Sverigedemokraterna's history would be taken down or face a police report. In Trelleborg, Malmö, and Kalmar, story hours were forced to be conducted with guards and extensive security. In Bollnäs, the Lucia celebration was stopped because the Lucia was non-binary. Most recently, the county museum in Gävleborg has been the subject of political violations. The Sverigedemokratiska chairman let it be announced that it is now fair game for politicians to direct the content of the institutions and that the museum's spaces shall be used to a lesser extent for contemporary art.
Madam Speaker! How long can one, as Minister for Culture, hide behind a government declaration and a Tidö Agreement while this is a reality that is beginning to become tangible in people's everyday lives at the municipal and regional level? This type of political transgression, which many times is rooted in a mob on social media, reduces the space for hbtqi persons. It reduces the space for those who want to challenge norms. It reduces the space for those who use art and culture to awaken new perspectives, and it reduces the space for a diversity of expressions side by side.
When politicians decide to control the content of culture, one might think there will be mass protests, but most often the result is self-censorship and adaptation. The consequences are to be highlighted by the Minister for Culture himself now that Sweden is the EU chair, because a priority issue is safe havens for art and culture creators who can no longer operate in their home countries due to a development of precisely self-censorship and adaptation. If one does not mark against and stop these types of violations, there is a risk of a development of authoritarian tendencies - so even here in Sweden.
Madam Speaker! This debate was initiated after a violation at the regional level in Gävleborg. The Minister for Culture could not possibly have missed that the violations are becoming more frequent. How does she react to the concern of the museum director and the staff? Has she criticized her coalition partner's actions in any way? This uncompromising stance regarding the arm's-length principle, how and when will it be expressed?
The Minister for Culture also promised more than two months ago in a debate here in the chamber that she would promptly return with a proposal. My questions are: When will proposals for measures arrive, and does the Minister for Culture intend to act against her coalition partner?
Kristoffer Lindberg (S)
Madam Speaker! Thank you, Lawen Redar, for an important interpellation!
The principle of arm's length distance between politics and culture has for a long time been upheld by a broad political consensus here in Sweden.
As a Member of Parliament from Gävleborg, I want to highlight the events at our county museum.
At the Gävleborg County Museum, the Sverigedemokraterna took over the chairmanship after the election. This has now been changed, but in connection with this, the principle of arm's length distance between politics and culture really became topical.
Gävleborg is the only region in Sweden where the Sverigedemokraterna sit in the regional leadership. The former intended Sverigedemokraterna chairman for the county museum made statements that as chairman he intended to control the content of the museum's exhibitions and that it is the politically appointed chairman's task to have opinions on the museum's activities – which exhibitions may be shown, which paintings may be hung, and what art may be purchased.
A few weeks ago, we visited the museum to meet some of the staff there and form an impression of what is happening.
These statements have naturally raised concern and questions both among employees at the museum and among the public as to whether the Sweden Democrats plan to target and prevent the museum's free cultural work and content. This implies a restriction of artistic freedom.
I previously submitted a written question to the Minister in this exact matter. The Minister's response confirmed what I already believed to know, namely that the Minister for Culture is as committed as I am to safeguarding the principle of arm's length distance between politics and culture. Unfortunately, the Minister's response contains nothing more than beautiful words - no concrete proposals or reactions to the development we are now seeing.
In his answer to my written question in this matter, the Minister writes the following: "Upholding the principle of arm's length distance within cultural policy is central for the government. This is evident from both the government statement and the Tidö Agreement."
The answer means, therefore, that the government and the government base—Sverigedemokraterna, Moderaterna, Kristdemokraterna, and Liberalerna—agree on and have signed off on that the principle of arm's-length distance within cultural policy shall be upheld? I find it difficult to see how I can interpret the minister's answer in any other way.
This is clearly interesting, Madam Speaker, because the current chairman of the Gävleborg County Museum is also a member of the Swedish Riksdag and part of the government base that has signed an agreement with the government that the principle of arm's-length distance shall be upheld. Here, the Sweden Democrats are clearly breaking that principle. They are breaking the agreement that, according to the Minister for Culture, exists with the government regarding arm's-length distance.
Therefore, I want to ask the minister: Does this mean that the Tidö Agreement is to be regarded as a voluntary recommendation? Or is it an agreement that the parties, that is SD, M, KD and L, are bound to honor and comply with? If the latter is the case, how does the minister intend to act - concretely - towards the Sweden Democrats so that they live up to the Tidö Agreement and ensure that the minister's coalition partners and the government's kingmakers do not actually infringe upon the principle of arm's length distance?
Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)
Madam Speaker! Let me remind Member Redar that it is actually the previous government with the Social Democrats at the helm that is the most criticized government of all time for politicizing culture, among other things through its management in the regulatory letters to cultural institutions and authorities.
To say that this government is doing nothing is simply incorrect. Already during the first week on the job, we began removing political steering. We are clearing regulatory letters of things that authorities have experienced as being steered to work from and which have limited artistic freedom.
Regarding the parties in the government base, the fact is that all parties that have signed the Tidö Agreement also have a responsibility to follow what is stated therein. How we cooperate, what we say to each other as cooperating parties, and how we settle matters is not something I account for in the chamber; rather, it belongs to the government work and to the cooperation between our four parties. But I can assure the members that just as I stand here and stand up for artistic freedom and arm's length distance, it is given that all Tidö parties bear a responsibility to live up to the significance of those words and concepts.
It is claimed that we have done nothing, and people are waiting for instructions on what we should do next. I can inform the members that we, regardless of whether the attempts at governance come from the left or from the right, will continue to work for the principle of artistic freedom. We will continue to ensure that the authorities can work with free maneuver without political steering. We will continue to strike down those instances where culture considers itself restricted or politically steered. We will also continue to work so that regions and municipalities can better uphold the principle of arm's length distance.
I can please the members by stating that I will meet representatives for among others DIK tomorrow. Then we will have the opportunity to speak more closely with each other about their concerns. I will, of course, take those to heart.
It is also important for the government, both here in the chamber and towards the organizations that express concern, to demonstrate that this is uncompromising. I will stand here in the chamber and say that even if Lawen Redar does not think it is enough. For me, it is uncompromising, and I look forward to the conversations with the parties that have shown concern. Above all, I look forward to working for the concepts of artistic freedom and arm's length distance during this mandate period, regardless of from which side the threats of restriction come.
Lawen Redar (S)
Madam Speaker! I do not only feel concern; I feel that a normative shift is occurring at the local and regional level of the coalition party that the Minister for Culture is currently collaborating with.
I am not interested in the conversations taking place between the parties; I am interested in what will happen in our country during the years when Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand governs the cultural policy.
Reference is made to the government statement and to the Tidö Agreement, yet one cooperates with a party that, at the municipal and regional level, violates just this principle. This implies a restriction of artistic freedom and of the democratic values that I believe Sweden must clearly stand up for, not least in a Europe that is moving in an increasingly authoritarian direction and where a fascist war is spreading. Therefore, these issues become so incredibly urgent.
Madam Speaker! Let me also reprimand the Minister for Culture. Yes, a lively debate was held during the last parliamentary term – rightly so – and the Social Democratic-led government took the initiative to clarify the status of artistic freedom in our country. When the Agency for Cultural Analysis completed the report, the Riksdag stated that changes had to be made to the regulatory letters and measures taken at the municipal and regional levels. It is not a Moderate-led government that has changed the wording in the regulatory letters, but it was done on the initiative of the Social Democratic-led government in January 2022.
If Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand wants to follow our example, that is positive, but the question remains: What does one intend to do at the municipal and regional level to support the principle's sustainability?
Let me bring up a few things that can be done as Minister for Culture. One can condition cultural support to municipalities and regions that violate the principle of arm's length. The report also contained recommendations to carry out educational initiatives and provide knowledge support without restricting the autonomy of municipalities and regions. There is also an opportunity to take initiatives to strengthen the role of independent civil servants so that they can carry out their work professionally and in accordance with principles. It is also about marking that this principle shall apply throughout the country.
There are politicians and political parties acting so that this shall occur at the municipal level. One example is what is happening in Lund. The local art committee, which previously had the final word on art purchases, is now being abolished on the initiative of, among others, Social Democratic representatives. They want to delegate the task to independent officials in order to specifically strengthen the principle of arm's length distance at the municipal level.
The politicians and political parties that abandon and violate the principle of arm's length distance have in their ideology that they want to control the content of art and do so wherever they hold power.
How is it that Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand does not take a stand against a partner at the national level who expresses that one should be able to stop cultural activities?
We do not cooperate with actors who do so. We do not hand over power to them at the municipal and regional level either.
In this debate, it has once again been promised that measures will be taken. However, some proposals have not been submitted, but I await with interest the upcoming proposals to the Riksdag. So far, they have been conspicuously absent.
Kristoffer Lindberg (S)
Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister for the answer.
I cannot overemphasize the importance of the principle of arm's-length distance and how important it is that we all stand up for it and act against actors, political or otherwise, who attempt to restrict it. Which art is to be shown at a museum is decided by the profession, i.e., by the skilled and knowledgeable staff - I hope we agree on that. This applies in particular to our fantastic county museum in Gävleborg. These artistic considerations cannot be made by a county museum's politically appointed board.
Culture must be free. It is then and only then that it awakens thoughts, prompts conversation, and allows opinions to be expressed. It is a decisive factor for a well-functioning democracy. Culture must be allowed to be questioning and never a reliable ally to the prevailing power in society.
Let me comment on the Minister's response to my previous post. The Government obviously has a responsibility for its entire government base. I and many others, not least in my home county of Gävleborg, expect the Minister for Culture to distance themselves from the Sverigedemokraternas actions at the county museum in Gävleborg and that the Minister acts with actual deeds and not just words behind closed doors to ensure that everyone in the Minister's government base, or as the Prime Minister usually expresses it "on our side of politics", stands up for artistic freedom and the principle of arm's length distance.
When will we hear the Minister for Culture distance himself from the Sweden Democrats' actions?
Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)
Madam Speaker! It is interesting. Member Lindberg says that the government is responsible for its entire government base, and Member Redar says that they do not cooperate with parties that restrict the freedom of culture.
What was the government doing during the last parliamentary term? It was precisely this that was criticized in the analysis *Så fri är konsten*. It was the then Minister for Culture, Amanda Lind, who handled these issues in the S-led government. I have great understanding for why we are debating this today, but I wonder how it is that we are debating this right now and why it was not interesting for the Social Democrats to discuss this during the last parliamentary term when they led a government with a Minister for Culture who was precisely occupied with governing through the regulatory letters. Back then, it was quite quiet from your side.
It is fantastic with all the fine municipal and regional examples. We shall, of course, promote and spread these, because it is always good with good examples. Municipalities and regions are autonomous, and they shall continue to be so. But we must learn from each other and spread good examples of how one can work. Here is the example that was highlighted, an absolutely excellent one.
Lawen Redar (S)
Madam Speaker! We do not live in the previous parliamentary term; it is over.
The changes that occurred in the regulatory letters took place in January 2023 - just so that it is correct. But the order was made by a Social Democratic-led government. The democracy-promoting measures entered the instructions to the agencies. It was incorrect, and it was changed immediately after a good debate. I sat in the Culture Committee during the last parliamentary term and know very well that we took to heart the criticism that was presented to us.
We have, however, not collaborated with a culturally instrumental party like the Sverigedemokraterna. The Minister for Culture does. It is after her rule for four years that one should summarize the violations. I can state that we risk seeing violations in different parts of the country. Most recently, I saw it in Gävleborg, and I was horrified by how the museum head and his staff had it. They had even posed the question to the management about whether they should start adapting the exhibitions according to the political rule. So that is how it looks, Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand, and it is serious.
The examples we debated during the previous term concerned Sölvesborg, Norrköping, and the personnel and administrative management in several Skåne municipalities. Violations of previous administrative law principles were committed, which was serious.
But today, the politics is about what the Minister for Culture intends to do to strengthen the principle of arm's length at national, regional and municipal levels? So far, not a single proposal has been put forward to strengthen the principle at all these levels.
I look forward to taking part in them, but so far nothing has been tabled in the Riksdag – even though in the previous debate it was promised that this would be done expeditiously.
I hope that we will see a strengthened independence for the officials who work with cultural policy issues, and I hope to see political activity so that the principle of arm's length distance is observed at all levels in our country.
Kulturministern Parisa Liljestrand (M)
Madam Speaker! I take this opportunity to thank Lawen Redar for that we have once again been given the opportunity to debate this in the chamber. It is important to repeatedly raise this issue and its importance. It is also fine that so many parties stand behind the principle and work for it.
I do not agree with the picture that nothing is being done. I am pleased that the member, in their concluding remarks, highlights that changes were made to the regulatory letters in January 2023, because that is exactly what happened. It was in January 2023 that the regulatory letters were cleared of various political steering after we had been working with them from October onwards. So, that pleases me. I think that Lawen Redar can then still see that something has happened, even though I hear the member's concern and frustration that we apparently are not doing enough.
But I want to be very clear in saying that I take the member's concern to heart. I will stand up for this principle. It is important and central to the cultural policy that the government pursues and will continue to pursue during this mandate period.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.