Response to interpellation 2024/25:426 on the appointment of a county governor

Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Linus Sköld has asked me what considerations I and the government make regarding merit and skill in the appointment of county governors, as well as what considerations were the basis for the appointment of Carina Ståhl Herrstedt. Linus Sköld has also asked how I ensure that county governors, in their office, respect the constitutionally mandated value base for public Sweden.

The Government has stated in the report Appointment Policy (report 2009/10:43) that there are strong reasons for the Government to be able to recruit county governors broadly and without preconditions – this is because the office of county governor is special and requires qualities that do not always coincide with the requirements otherwise placed on heads of agencies. Good knowledge of and insights into the political decision-making system can be such a requirement.

The County Governor constitutes the authority leadership of the County Administrative Board. It follows from the Authority Ordinance (2007:515) that the authority leadership shall ensure that the operations are conducted in accordance with applicable law. State employees are expected to have knowledge of and understanding of the basic legal principles and regulatory frameworks that apply in the state administration. The state value base is often used as a term to summarize and make visible many of these principles and rules.

Within the framework of annual authority dialogues, the government follows up on the authorities' activities.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Linus Sköld (S)

Mr. Speaker! The minister who is taking this debate today is the same minister who, every time someone from the opposition uses the designation the SD-government to refer to the sitting government, feels compelled to object. Sometimes he has such strong objections that he refuses to answer questions when he is linked with the party Sverigedemokraterna. Then I think it is the irony of fate that it is precisely that minister who must answer for the appointment of the country's first head of authority with Sverigedemokratisk party colors.

The person who has been appointed is not just a Sverigedemokrat, but is a Member of Parliament who is a prominent opponent of abortion. She has been convicted of defamation of political opponents on no fewer than three occasions. She has also been exposed with – and defended – statements concerning racism that show homophobia and anti-Gypsyism, and in that regard, she has made a mockery of religious minorities.

The criticism has not been long in coming after the minister appointed her as county governor in Gävleborg. P4 Gävleborg reports that about thirty local representatives from other parties, obviously, demand that she should not take up the post, which is expected to occur on March 1. The criticism became so extensive that it eventually became untenable, and Carina Ståhl Herrstedt was forced to comment on the matter in P4 Gävleborg last week. She then had to begin by apologizing. There is nothing else to do, she said in P4 Gävleborg.

Then I think: Slottner must have realized that he would end up in the situation of having to appoint the first Sweden Democrat governor. It must have been part of the negotiations that form the basis for this government. Every time he has objected to the designation of the SD government, it must have been for show.

Last week, Erik Slottner held a press conference regarding a digital offensive against organized crime. After the press conference, a press release was issued. The press release was signed by the coalition partners. Is it "coalition partners" that you call yourselves now?

If it were the case that Slottner, who has such an aversion to being linked with the Sweden Democrats, was forced to appoint the first Sweden Democrat governor, I wonder: Was it not foolish to choose a person who must start by apologizing for their own racism?

If he has now chosen a person who must start by apologizing for their own racism, I wonder how he will ensure that this head of authority lives up to the constitutionally mandated value base, which concerns the equal value and rights of all people and the prohibition of discrimination.

How is Slottner, as responsible minister, to ensure that Carina Ståhl Herrstedt lives up to this? Her values do not, in fact, align with those regulated by law.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Sara Gille (SD)

Mr. Speaker! The Government has appointed Carina Ståhl Herrstedt as County Governor of Gävleborg County. It is an appointment based on competence, experience, and the ability to lead an authority. Why are we not debating Gävleborg's future, regional development, the labor market, and the business sector? Because that is what a County Governor is supposed to work with.

But the Social Democrats want to debate other issues. They would rather discuss a person. The whole thing is both distasteful and disrespectful and makes it even more obvious that it is not about substantive objections, but about the Social Democrats having difficulty accepting that a Sverigedemokrat, furthermore a woman, is to become landshövding.

We have a female second deputy speaker, and we have shown that in our party we promote competent women to leading positions. This is, however, nothing that the Social Democrats seem to want to highlight in the debate.

Mr. Speaker! I have known Carina for many years, and I know that a more thoughtful and committed person is hard to find. She is a leader who supports and uplifts others rather than putting herself in the center.

With over a decade in the Riksdag, she has solid experience in political decision-making and legislation. She has worked in several committees on issues concerning social development and agency governance. She has worked in the Social Affairs Committee with a focus on social policy, as well as in the Education Committee and the Civil Affairs Committee. Through these assignments, she has gained deep insight into areas concerning the labor market, equality, and social planning – issues that fall within the County Administrative Board's area of responsibility. In addition to this, Carina has been strongly engaged in functional issues, which demonstrates a genuine will to protect society's most vulnerable groups.

Above all, she possesses something that cannot be written into a CV: integrity, commitment, and a genuine drive to make a real difference. These are qualities that are crucial for a County Governor.

But instead of acknowledging her competence, the Social Democrats blacken an individual and, at present, a colleague. This is nothing other than pure bullying. Perhaps what disturbs them just now is that a competent, strong and committed Sverigedemokrat now receives another important assignment where she can continue to make a difference.

The Social Democrats want us to believe that they suddenly care about objective appointments. Their own history, however, says something completely different. During their years in government, they have appointed their own ministers, members of parliament, and party officials to positions as county governors, directors-general, and heads of agencies.

Then it was silent.

Mr. Speaker! Minister Erik Slottner has made a professional assessment, and the appointment follows the same principles that previous governments have applied. Heads of agencies are evaluated through annual agency dialogues, and there is no doubt that this will also occur in Gävleborg. If we are to have a debate about the appointment policy, let us then have it on a principled level and not by questioning individuals before they have even taken office.

This government is doing what the Social Democrats themselves have done for decades. The difference is that we do it based on competence and ability, not party membership.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Linnéa Wickman (S)

Mr. Speaker! Thanks to the Minister who is here tonight to debate with us!

Being a county governor is not just any assignment. It is an assignment that requires good judgment – or good conduct, to use a term that the SD-government likes to emphasize the importance of in other contexts.

It requires an ability to be a unifying force in a county but also to represent. It is about representing the state's activities in a county and also about being able to represent the county and its needs in various contexts. One must also be able to represent the county's citizens.

A county governor needs to be a person who can and wants to build trust between people and between different interests, and who acts in the county so that everyone feels safe, included, and involved in the common construction of society.

After waiting for half a year, the government decided to appoint a new County Governor in Gävleborg as well as head of the County Administrative Board. I can testify that in my home county of Gävleborg, the reactions have been very strong after the government decided to appoint a person who has previously expressed themselves in a deeply racist and derogatory manner based on ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation and who, in addition, has been convicted of defamation on several occasions.

With the appointment that the government chose to make, many in Gävleborg today find it difficult to see that the government had any ambition at all to try to appoint someone who has the prerequisites and the will to be the unifying force that the county needs for an improved infrastructure, strengthened energy supply to the base industry in both the short and long term, educational initiatives, more jobs, sustainable fish stocks and more mosquito control, just to mention a few important issues.

Many ask why the government rewards a background that so obviously hinders the ability to unite a county. I wonder if this is what is supposed to pay off in prominent assignments within the public administration, regardless of whether a person has a background within or outside of politics and regardless of which party the person represents.

I wonder what qualities, knowledge, and experiences the government has considered important to possess for a county governor for specifically Gävleborg. What has the basis for selection been with regard to merit and skill? That is the core of this debate, and these are questions that I mean the minister needs to be able to answer.

The government holds the power of appointment, and this says something about the government's judgment. The previous management of the County Administrative Board, with the Moderates' Per Bill at the head as the most recent County Governor, ensured that Gävleborg County Administrative Board became the first in the country to become hbtqi-certified, which is a clear proof that the County Administrative Board, directly from the agency's management, also has a long tradition of working strategically and taking everyone's equal value and inclusion seriously.

Can we trust that this work will continue, given that this is also a certification and a piece of work that the Sweden Democrats oppose in every political assembly where they are represented?

I wonder what concrete expectations the government has for the newly elected landshövding regarding building trust and acting as a unifying representative for the whole of Gävleborg.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Jimmy Ståhl (SD)

Mr. Speaker! I want to begin by congratulating Linnéa Wickman and Gävleborg on a very competent County Governor. Linnéa Wickman does not need to be afraid: The Hbtqi-certification will remain.

That Erik Slottner appointed just Carina Ståhl Herrstedt as landshövding was not surprising. Carina Ståhl Herrstedt has been a member of the Riksdag since 2010. She has sat on the Committee on Civil Affairs, the Committee on Education, and the Committee on Social Affairs. She has sat on the Riksdag Board, the Riksdag Election Committee, and the Members' Council and is also a representative. Furthermore, she has participated in various investigations, for example, the Healthcare Responsibility Committee and the Name Law Committee.

To say that Carina Ståhl Herrstedt does not have the competence is therefore very wrong.

Furthermore, she has also had municipal assignments, she has sat on boards and she has sat on committees. She has been chairperson locally in Landskrona. She has also been deputy party leader in Sverigedemokraterna, and she was involved in starting SD-kvinnor, where she sat for many years before she left.

Previously, she has been self-employed and, more recently, before entering the Riksdag, has also worked as a personal assistant.

Carina Ståhl Herrstedt is a mother and a grandmother.

It is an honorable task that Carina has received, and she will manage the qualifications she has. It is no dictator who has been elected, but a kind, tender person, who will manage this task very well.

I would like to assert that I would be surprised if there is any criticism of her work. I think it is very unfortunate that she gets such a start, because Carina Ståhl Herrstedt will manage this assignment with brilliance.

We have visited the County Administrative Board, and there is wonderful staff there. Carina Ståhl Herrstedt has been warmly welcomed and this weekend she is moving into the castle.

Carina Ståhl Herrstedt has opened for dialogue with both parties and others. It should also be said that she will not have the assignment in the capacity of Sverigedemokraterna; she will be the County Governor, a unifying person for the county. She will carry out that assignment with distinction.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Michael Rubbestad (SD)

Mr. Speaker! The interpellation poses the question of what considerations the government makes when appointing provincial governors and what was the basis for the appointment of Carina Ståhl Herrstedt. Simply put: On what merits was she selected?

As previously mentioned, Carina Ståhl Herrstedt became a member of the Riksdag as early as 2010 when the Sverigedemokraterna took their place in the Riksdag for the first time. During her years in the Riksdag, she has had an outstanding breadth in her political work. She has served in a number of committees, in the EU Committee, and in the Riksdag's Members' Council. She has been a member of the Riksdag Board and so on.

For the Sweden Democrats, Carina Ståhl Herrstedt has also been a spokesperson on issues regarding functional impairments. It is an area that requires knowledge, commitment, and an understanding of how political decisions affect the lives of individual people. Some of the first motions she submitted as a new Member of Parliament after the 2010 election concerned the control of animal transport, a ban on dangerous chemicals in products for toddlers, and men's equal right to custody. These are issues that all are rooted in protection for the most vulnerable – children, animals, and people in positions of dependency.

The common thread has been the same throughout Carina Ståhl Herrstedt's political career. If a child is at risk of harm, if a person with a disability is limited by society's shortcomings, or if an animal has not been treated with dignity, Carina has always been the one who has stood at the forefront and defended their rights.

The interpellator highlights the Instrument of Government and the principle that all public power shall be exercised with respect for all people's equal value and that the public shall counteract discrimination. This is exactly what Carina Ståhl Herrstedt has fought for throughout her entire political career.

Mr. Speaker! I would like to be a little personal. I have had the privilege of working together with Carina since 2013. That is five years longer than I myself have been a member of the Swedish Riksdag. I still remember what it was like as a civil servant to refer a matter to the Sverigedemokraternas verkställande utskott, in which Carina was a member. No matter how well prepared one was, one could always be sure that the most critical and sharp questions would come from Carina Ståhl Herrstedt.

Carina Ståhl Herrstedt has an ability that not everyone has to turn a question over and over, to analyze it from several perspectives and to see problems and solutions that others miss. That ability is exactly what is required of a County Governor. It is about being able to see beyond party-political interests and act as the government's extended arm in the county. One must be able to understand and balance different interests – the state's, the region's, the municipality's and, in the long run, the individual citizen's perspective.

With the risk that this sounds like a biography of Carina Ståhl Herrstedt's political life – let me return to the interpellant's original question: Does she have the merits and the skill required to take on the role of County Governor? The answer is undoubtedly yes. I would therefore like to thank Minister Erik Slottner for this appointment and conclude with a recommendation: If the Minister in the future submits a proposal for the County Governor – ensure that it is properly thought out and elaborated, because the critical questions will come. It is for the best of Gävleborg and Sweden.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Mattias Eriksson Falk (SD)

Mr. Speaker! This is an interpellation debate concerning the Minister's exercise of office. I will return to that, but I still want to broaden the perspective. It is, after all, about a historical event, namely that the Sweden Democrats have now received their first County Governor. As a Member of Parliament from Gävleborg and a Gävleborgian since birth, it makes me immensely proud that my county is the first in Sweden to have a Sweden Democrat Member of Parliament as County Governor.

The Sweden Democrats are good at being first in Gävleborg. We have the support of about a quarter of the voters in the county. That also contributed to a historic shift in power in Region Gävleborg when we Sweden Democrats took over the government. Just as we were humble about taking over the regional government, I know that Carina Ståhl Herrstedt is humble regarding the assignment as the new County Governor, which she will assume on March 1.

Our new landshövding is an experienced politician who has worked with many different political issues – not least within the framework of the Social Affairs Committee's area of responsibility. Carina Ståhl Herrstedt has been a member of the Riksdag for 14 years. She has built up invaluable knowledge of Swedish public administration and a network of contacts. She understands the value of working every day in Swedish democracy.

That the Socialdemokraterna are now trying to make this about the minister's performance of duties, I accept with composure. We know that the Socialdemokraterna would have been dissatisfied with the government's decision regardless of which Sverigedemokrat it had become and regardless of which state assignment it had concerned. But I understand and respect that there are those in Gävleborg who would have wanted someone else. It is natural to feel that way if one perhaps votes for a different party than the landshövding comes from.

It was said from the rostrum earlier that there has been massive, extensive criticism. The criticism referred to then is that just over 30 local representatives for the Social Democrats, the Centre Party, the Green Party, and the Left Party are negative towards this appointment. It is nothing that surprises me. The Social Democrats had, as said, been dissatisfied in any case – and the other three parties as well.

Carina Ståhl Herrstedt will do an excellent job as the new County Governor for Gävleborg County, both for the authority itself and for the people of Gävleborg. Given the strong support the Sverigedemokraterna enjoy among the people of Gävleborg, there are also many who are happy that it was precisely a Sverigedemokrat who received the assignment and that Gävleborg gets to be first with this – as the successful county we are, not just generally but of course also for my party.

I also want to say something about the mosquito control, which was mentioned from the rostrum. In the latest state budget, we allocated extra funds for mosquito control permanently. The Sweden Democrats saw the problem, and we solved the problem.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Linus Sköld raised the issue of the term "the SD government," which the Social Democrats insist on using, and that I react very strongly against this expression. It has nothing to do with a fear of contact with the Sweden Democrats on my part. We cooperate with the Sweden Democrats. That is how this parliamentary system is built, i.e., by us obtaining a majority in this chamber, in this democracy that Sweden is. Cooperation with the Sweden Democrats is a prerequisite for the government to survive and be able to govern the country.

I react to the expression because it is factually incorrect. We do not have an SD government. SD is not in the government. Therefore, it is impossible for it to be an SD government. I would have said it was wrong even if you were talking about the S government or the MP government. I react because you are spreading falsehoods to the Swedish people. This is a factual error. It is not a question of any fear of contact regarding the Sweden Democrats. It is a cooperation party to the government, and this cooperation works very well.

Moving on to the actual issue and the interpellation! To be honest, it goes against a great deal to discuss individual personal matters in this chamber. I think an interpellation debate is completely the wrong forum to do that in. But now we stand here and must do it.

I must say that I think Linus Sköld's post was incredibly offensive and disparaging. He calls a colleague here in the Riksdag a racist and an anti-Ziganist. I think one should be extremely careful before applying those epithets to people, in this case a person who is now to become a County Governor. Give her a chance! Do not politicize this office unnecessarily!

It is no secret that many county governors have a political background. It even states in a document that it is positive to have a political background. That is why very many county governors are former members of the Council of State, members of Parliament, and local politicians; it is an advantage. Parties are allowed to nominate county governors. Today there are six county governors with a Social Democratic background and approximately the same number with a Moderate background. The Sweden Democrats, which is this parliament's second-largest party, have not had a single one. We think it is reasonable that the Sweden Democrats also have the opportunity to nominate a county governor, and they have now done so.

The government made a decision just over a week ago regarding two appointments of county governors. The second was Gunilla Svantorp in Östergötland, a Social Democratic Member of Parliament. The merit lists are very similar for Carina Ståhl Herrstedt and Gunilla Svantorp. Both entered the Riksdag in 2010 and have sat in different committees. They have a background as municipal and regional politicians. Carina Ståhl Herrstedt has been chairperson of the women's association, Gunilla Svantorp chairperson of one of the Riksdag's committees. They did other things before and then became full-time politicians. Now they are to represent two counties as county governors.

When a political opponent begins writing debate articles before a county governor has even settled into their position, one politicizes the office unnecessarily. Even if one has a political background, in their role as county governor, one is a public official. In that role, one works on the government's mandate and represents the state at the local level. In that case, party affiliation actually plays no role. This is what I expect from all county governors, including the one that this interpellation debate is about.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Linus Sköld (S)

Mr. Speaker! To begin with, I want to say something about the designation the SD-government. That the Sweden Democrats have succeeded in forcing Erik Slottner to appoint a convicted criminal as County Governor, a person who has been forced to apologize for his own racism before taking office, is well the ultimate proof that it is the Sweden Democrats who hold the reins of this government and that the designation the SD-government is perfectly correct.

To the Sweden Democrats, who call this interpellation and this debate bullying, I would like to say that I have not committed bullying. I am providing a factual description of things that have happened and things that the person this debate is about has said and done and has been convicted for. I am asking questions about it because it stands in conflict with the state's value base, which the aforementioned person is tasked to uphold. Erik Slottner is responsible for this. These are reasonable questions. It is not bullying.

If Carina Ståhl Herrstedt is considerate, kind and tender and protects the most vulnerable, I think the Sweden Democrats have some explaining to do when it comes to her statements about people of a different skin color, people of a different religious belief and people of a different sexual orientation than herself. It is a matter of minorities who have a constitutionally guaranteed protection against discrimination. Is it being tender and kind to make fun of them at their expense? Is it protecting the most vulnerable?

Ulf Kristersson gave a speech to the nation days after the tragic act on February 4. He spoke then about cohesion in the nation as the most important thing right now. Then it took a few days before the news came that the SD government appoints the first SD provincial governor, a person who, as it turned out, was forced to apologize for her own racism after she asserted her right to use certain very derogatory words about people of a certain skin color. After she mocked minorities' religion, ethnicity, and sexual orientation, she defended it by saying: "I can think it's a bit half-funny."

Is it Erik Slottner's assessment that this appointment leads to cohesion in this country and to cohesion in Gävleborg County, if the entire political opposition is critical? At home in Norrbotten, we have a Moderate, Lotta Finstorp, as County Governor. She has solid support and is not questioned in any political camp.

What makes this appointment dramatic is that Carina Ståhl Herrstedt has been exposed for racism and has defended it, but has now been forced to apologize because the criticism became too tangible. She has been convicted of defamation. Was it to act for cohesion to appoint her as County Governor in Gävleborg, Erik Slottner?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Sara Gille (SD)

Mr. Speaker! This is a smear campaign of the worst kind. It is not about substance but about casting suspicion on an individual because one lacks a political agenda. Yes, it is pure bullying. To claim otherwise is a pure lie.

It is one thing to discuss the power of appointment in general. It is another thing to stand here and direct accusations against an individual person, who is, moreover, still a colleague to all of us here in the chamber. She is, after all, a Member of Parliament just like the rest of us. She has exactly the same responsibilities and powers as we do. Despite that, the Social Democrats stand here and speak about her as if she were already the Governor. It is completely dishonest.

Is this how we want the appointment debate to proceed from now on – that individuals become the subject of mudslinging before they have even had a chance to show what they are capable of? Shall we start discussing individuals rather than politics? No, but despite that, we stand here and debate her. It says a great deal about the Social Democrats' priorities that one suspects a colleague rather than discussing Sweden's future.

Mr. Speaker! This is a historic appointment: the Sverigedemokraternas first landshövding, who is also a woman. But instead of recognizing this as a step forward for competence-based appointments, the Socialdemokraterna choose to downplay it and turn it into a partisan battle. The Socialdemokraterna can try to cast doubt on this appointment as much as they want, but they cannot argue away the fact that Carina Ståhl Herrstedt is the right person for the assignment. It is time to focus on Sweden's real challenges.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Linnéa Wickman (S)

Mr. Speaker! I want to start by being very clear that I assume and believe that all of us who represent Gävleborg here in the Swedish Parliament, as well as its county governors, want and will work for the common good and for what is good and important for the population of Gävleborg.

I note that we have now received a promise from the governor's husband, who also happens to be a member of the Riksdag, that the county administrative board's LGBTQ+ certification and LGBTQ+ work will continue. This is something we must view as a statement here in the chamber.

Mr. Speaker! What I want to return to is what the government still needs to be able to answer. It is what specific needs the Minister sees the county has and how it matches the profile that has been sought, also in relation to the state's value base.

The government left the position of County Governor vacant for half a year. There has been plenty of time to assess various candidates both within and outside of politics.

I am still thinking about the lack of response to the agitation that exists over honestly intended and in no way ill-intentioned questions. The questions are not met with any response whatsoever from the side of the minister.

It is very many of Gävleborg's inhabitants who wonder how trust can be established for the state's soon-to-be highest representative in the county among the thousands of the county's inhabitants who lack trust precisely because of the history that we all know.

I would like to receive a clearer answer on that point from the Minister.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Jimmy Ståhl (SD)

Mr. Speaker! If one stands in the speaker's chair in the Swedish Riksdag, one should not resort to falsehoods. Falsehood is exactly what Linus Sköld comes with.

Carina Ståhl Herrstedt has never said the words that Linus claims she said, never ever. What happened was that she edited a clip on Facebook sent to her then-husband. She has never said those words, nor has she ever written them.

That she is convicted of defamation does not mean that she has acted with falsehood. One can be convicted of defamation even if one tells the truth. It depends on the dissemination and how well-known the person is.

These things happened many years ago. After that, Carina has done an enormous amount of work in the Riksdag. She will continue with that when she takes up her new position. To claim that she is racist is totally incorrect. It is provoking, Linus, very provoking.

She is a person who will unite the county. She is a hard-working woman. I hope that Linus is along and following this development. Now Linus does not live in Gävleborg. But I assume that you will be able to follow it anyway through your colleagues.

Once again: Big congratulations Gävleborg on a fantastic upcoming county governor!

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

FÖRSTE VICE TALMANNEN

I must only remind the member that the address in the chamber is either "ledamoten" or first name and surname. We do not use "du" or only first names.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Michael Rubbestad (SD)

Mr. Speaker! The interpellation poses the question of how the government ensures that provincial governors, in their office, respect the constitutionally mandated value base for public Sweden. This was something that was also mentioned in Member Sköld's speech.

Swedish administration rests on objectivity and impartiality. Those who become county governor are expected to act within these principles. This naturally also applies to Carina Ståhl Herrstedt.

Let us be honest. She has already, in her role as a member of Parliament, worked in accordance with those principles for many years. The Riksdag, as well as the government and our authorities, rest on the same democratic foundation.

That now, as county governor, representing the state at the regional level is not a change. It is an extension of the mandate that she has already performed for over a decade.

I can agree that there is a disadvantage with Carina Ståhl Herrstedt taking office as County Governor. It is that it is a loss for the chamber.

I know that I should now conclude my contribution with a question to the Minister. But I intend instead to turn to Carina Ståhl Herrstedt, who I hope will take part in the debate or in any case, parts of it.

Carina! Thank you for the work you have done for the party, Sweden and the Riksdag. You have been involved in shaping the party that the Sverigedemokraterna is today. It is a party that in the 2022 election received over 20 percent of the Swedish people's votes and which today is a coalition party to the government.

I honestly believe that we in Sweden and in the Sweden Democrats would not have been here today, and I would probably not have had the honor of representing our country here in the Swedish Riksdag, if it were not for you and your work.

On paper, you will now go down in history as Sweden's first Sweden Democrat County Governor. But in reality, you have already made history in many more ways than that. Thank you, Carina!

I would also like to extend a thanks to the Minister for the previous entry regarding Carina's person. Thank you very much!

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Mattias Eriksson Falk (SD)

Mr. Speaker! It is clear that the Social Democrats want to speak about the government's exercise of duty regarding the appointment of a new County Governor in Gävleborg County. The Social Democrats, and for that matter the Left Party, the Green Party, and the Centre Party, would have been dissatisfied regardless of which Sverigedemokrat had become County Governor. That one is now acting with an interpellation on the matter is for the galleries.

I understand that one wants to speak about this issue and that the Social Democrats do not want to speak about other things. I am thinking of the practical decommissioning of Sollefteå hospital that is being carried out in Region Västernorrland, which is governed by the Social Democrats. It concerns the large tax increases for ordinary wage earners in Region Stockholm and in the city of Stockholm that the Social Democrats are carrying out, or that the Social Democrats in Gävle called hostility towards Swedes "nonsense." That is exactly what was said.

I understand that the Social Democrats do not want to talk about such things but instead want a debate that is a game for the galleries about a new provincial governor. The Social Democrats do not want to talk about politics, because they do not have a policy for a better Sweden.

Instead, we stand here in the Riksdag and speak about a government decision regarding the appointment of a county governor. You would have been against it regardless of how it was done, because it was a Sverigedemokrat this time. That is exactly what it is about. It is so transparent. It is a Sverigedemokrat, and therefore you are against it.

I mentioned that it may be the case that the Socialdemokraterna, Vänsterpartiet, Miljöpartiet, and Centerpartiet constitute some form of opposition here. I must admit that I may have seen one or two social democratic local politicians in social media or employees at Socialdemokraternas studieförbund ABF who have also been critical. But otherwise, I have not seen any criticism against the appointment of the new landshövding. It is pure and utter fabrication.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! First and foremost: I have not been forced to do anything. No one has forced me to appoint anyone.

The members of the committee, not least from the Social Democrats who have sat in government for many years, are very well aware that the appointment of county governors is conducted in a different way than for other heads of authorities.

It is much more common among county governors to have a political background than it is in other authorities. It is even seen as a qualification to have experience in politics and to have a political background. It is not mentioned exactly with those words, but the implication is that there is an advantage if one has it.

Thus, the parties also get to nominate. These are not open application processes. One does not apply to become a county governor. One can possibly do that informally. But there are no advertisements going out in that way, and among other things, the parties get to nominate.

There is a party in the Riksdag that has not had any county governor. It may have had the opportunity to nominate. But it has never had anyone with that party background become a county governor. That party is the Sweden Democrats. It is probably not reasonable that Sweden's second-largest party should not have the opportunity to also be represented in this circle.

Then one asks on what qualities Ståhl Herrstedt has been selected. Even though I dislike talking about individual personal matters in an interpellation debate, I mentioned them in my previous post.

She has been a member of Parliament for 15 years. She has sat on the municipal council in Landskrona, I believe that is it. She has been the chair of the women's association in her own party. As a personal assistant and member of the Committee on Social Affairs, she has a great deal of knowledge and a commitment to social issues, which will come in handy in the County Administrative Boards' work with social sustainability.

Carina Ståhl Herrstedt has also run companies, which is also not a bad competence for being able to understand the importance of permit processes and much else that is very important. The Government also thinks it is important to have growth and business perspectives at the County Administrative Board.

There is talk here about a breach of trust. But if a huge amount of rumors about statements and other things are spread, it is clear that one is helping to create and sow mistrust and make people afraid. I think it is very unfortunate, and I think it is contributing to not giving a person a chance that she should have. I do not think it is okay to actively undermine a person because she belongs to a certain party, and it is so obvious that this is what it is about.

Mr. Speaker! This will be my final contribution to the debate, and I would like to conclude by saying that I think it is a fine quality in a human being to be able to apologize for something one has said and expressed in the past. I do not think it is a bad quality. I also think it is a very fine quality to be able, as a human being and as a minister, to accept an apology and a plea for forgiveness and say: Now we move on.

So one should be able to say when a person says: That was stupidly said, and that was a stupid statement. That joke, or whatever we shall call it now, I should not have spread there and then. I regret it, and I think it was wrong! Then we must also be able to listen to that, believe that a person has improved and give her a second chance.

Do it now! Give the incoming governor of Gävleborg a chance to show what she is capable of and serve the state in Gävleborg!

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Linus Sköld (S)

Mr. Speaker! This is not about providing condescending descriptions of anyone. It is about people who have done and said things being allowed to stand by what they have done and said, especially when this is indisputable.

Erik Slottner says that he has not been forced into anything. Well, that was the only thing worse than if he had been forced. It means that he wants to appoint not only a Sverigedemokrat but also a convicted criminal as the Governor of Gävleborg. She is a person who was forced to apologize for her own racism before she took office. He has not been forced into it; he wants it.

I think this raises more questions than it provides answers. My question about the timing and whether this was intended to act for cohesion was completely ignored by Erik Slottner. He has also not answered how he will act to ensure that this person, who has documented not shared the state's value base, will comply with it in their office.

These questions still hang in the air. Even though Erik Slottner has now signaled that he does not intend to make his final entry, he still has a chance to answer the questions. Was this appointment a good way to act for the cohesion of the nation when, according to the Prime Minister, it was what we needed most? And how will the Minister act to ensure that the County Governor in Gävleborg complies with the state's value base?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Statsrådet Erik Slottner (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I apologize for being untruthful in my previous contribution and saying that it was my last. I actually forgot to answer this, and I should have done so.

The government has a standard agency follow-up. We follow up on activity reports, and we have ongoing agency dialogues with our agencies. So we follow up on the agencies. There is nothing more unusual about the County Administrative Board in Gävleborg than with other agencies; we follow up on them in the same way.

We train incoming directors-general in what it means to be a head of an authority and about the state's value base. Regarding the county administrative boards specifically, we have special authority dialogues where we also have different themes. That is how we follow up the county administrative boards and the heads of authorities. That is what is happening in Gävleborg today, and that will also happen with the incoming county governor.

Governors and heads of authorities are not appointed specifically to maintain cohesion in Sweden. I think the connection is very strange in the first place. We were to appoint a head of authority for the County Administrative Board in Gävleborg, and this was a candidate who we believe meets the criteria that the government sets out.

(Applause)

The interpellations debate was hereby concluded.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)