Last spring, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) bought shares worth at least SEK 10,000 (€900) in the Swedish defense and IT company Mildef.
The purchase took place while the Swedish government was negotiating a multi-billion order from the arms industry, in which Mildef was one of the companies that benefited financially from the deal.
It was in December last year that the governments of Sweden and Denmark announced a record order for combat vehicles 90 with an estimated cost of €2.3 billion. Mildef’s IT equipment was included in this order and when the deal was finalized, the company’s stock soared and has since tripled in value.
While the deal was being negotiated, Malmer Stenergard chose to buy shares in the company for at least €900 – but claims she did nothing wrong or broke any rules.
– I want to be clear that I did not participate in any way in the preparation. I have not had access to any information other than that which has been open to everyone, she told state radio Ekot.
– For me, it is important to follow the regulations that exist and which mean that the holding is registered, but also that I follow the rules of disqualification that exist, she continues.
“Definitely problematic”
The fact that the government was about to spend billions of taxpayers’ money on the combat vehicles was known when the foreign minister made her share purchase and experts are critical of her actions.
– It is definitely problematic. One must be very cautious when making purchases, especially when holding such a position and potentially having access to information, as well as ensuring that one’s role is not called into question, says Daniel Stattin, professor of civil law at Uppsala University.
The fact that the amount involved is relatively small is of minor importance in this context, according to the professor
– The principle is probably the same really, make sure you don’t do business where your impartiality or self-interest can be questioned.
