The revelations about Henrik Landerholm ultimately became too great a burden for Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M). The preliminary investigation against Landerholm increased the pressure on the government even further, notes Jonas Hinnfors, a professor of political science at the University of Gothenburg.
It's not surprising that the decision comes, there are those who think it has taken extra long because they are old childhood friends, but it's hard to determine. When this type of event becomes prolonged, it almost always ends like this, says Hinnfors.
"Put his foot down"
He doesn't believe that the revelations about Landerholm will have any major impact on the electorate, given that previous scandals haven't had actual consequences for individual parties as soon as those responsible have left their positions.
Very little happens to trust or voting propensity for different parties when the point has been set. It's hard to know if the point has been set here, but probably. Even if more information comes out, the government has put its foot down, says Hinnfors.
Possible comeback
Henrik Landerholm has a long career behind him, including as Sweden's ambassador to Latvia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as director-general of the Agency for Psychological Defence.
Jonas Hinnfors assesses that it's possible for Landerholm to make a comeback in some form if the preliminary investigation is dropped, but probably not in the role of national security adviser.
It entirely depends on what comes out, of course, but between the thumb and index finger, it's probably not how it usually goes. You can come back in different roles, but maybe not to the one you just got kicked out of, says Hinnfors.
