It may sound strange that you can lose your job, but still have your salary for several years. But it's entirely according to the rules when it comes to governors, directors-general, or other agency heads who are subordinate to the government.
In Anna Kinberg Batra's case, it's about a monthly salary of 122,400 kronor that will be paid out until February 2029, when her appointment ends.
She was fired after harsh criticism from the Chancellor of Justice regarding three disputed recruitments she made as governor.
For fired directors-general and governors, their employment within the Government Offices continues until their contracts expire. They end up in what is commonly referred to as the "elephant graveyard," located in a large, rather ugly office complex on Östermalm. Physically, they can sit at a department, depending on the task they are assigned.
"Tough luck"
Five former directors-general are currently part of the so-called elephant graveyard. Three of them were let go because the government wants a new direction and leadership at the agency. This includes Charlotte Svensson, the former head of the Customs Agency, Nina Cromnier, the former head of the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority, and Anneli Wirtén, the former head of the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU).
They all earn around 120,000 kronor per month and have varying lengths of time left on their assignments. Cromnier is on leave of absence, while the other two are working on various investigations.
Anders Kessling was the director of the Delegation against Segregation until 2023. Then, the entire agency was shut down after the M-KD-SD budget had previously been passed in parliament.
It's tough personally to be in that situation, he says.
He now works at the Ministry of Finance and is responsible for a review of the management structure in the entire Government Offices, while also looking for other jobs.
It's very individual what tasks you get, but you have a work obligation, and this suited me, says Kessling.
Uncertain employment
He believes it's self-evident that there must be some form of job security, even for high-ranking state officials.
It's necessary if you're going to take on exposed positions, he says.
I can understand that it's annoying to sit for several years with a salary, but it's often portrayed as if you're not doing anything, but you're working.
The fifth colleague of Kinberg Batra is Karin Tegmark Wisell, the former head of the Public Health Agency. She was let go last summer to become Sweden's ambassador for global health.
In January 2026, or earlier, the elephant graveyard will grow further when six agencies are merged into three. Then, the heads of the Agency for Public Management, the Agency for Support to Faith Communities, and the Agency for Work Environment Expertise (Mynak) will lose their jobs.
Maria Davidsson/TT
Facts: This is the elephant graveyard
TT
Anders Kessling, former director of the Delegation against Segregation. Monthly salary 97,500 kronor until June 30, 2026.
Nina Cromnier, former director-general of the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority. Monthly salary 123,800 kronor until May 31, 2025. Currently on leave of absence.
Charlotte Svensson, former director-general of the Customs Agency. Monthly salary 126,100 kronor until October 31, 2024.
Anneli Wirtén, former director-general of the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU). Monthly salary 115,600 kronor until February 28, 2026.
Karin Tegmark Wisell, former director-general of the Public Health Agency. Monthly salary 130,500 kronor until October 31, 2027.
Anna Kinberg Batra, former governor. Monthly salary 122,400 kronor until February 2029.
Source: Government Offices
