In the beginning of the week, Henrik Landerholm left his position as national security adviser. The reason is that he is being investigated for crimes due to negligence with confidential documents, which has led to a media frenzy.
In the wake of all the turmoil surrounding Landerholm, all four opposition parties – S, MP, C, and V – have reported the Prime Minister to the Riksdag's Constitutional Committee (KU).
For the time being, KU is preparing a number of questions in each case, which will then be sent to the Government Offices for answers. In April, there will be hearings.
It usually ends with the Prime Minister on the last Friday in April, says Hans Ekström.
"Must sacrifice some"
In late May, KU will hold a press conference where the committee will present its stance.
No matter who sits on the government side, one can simply say that everyone realizes that one must sacrifice some ministers where there is justified criticism against them. But then it usually becomes difficult for the government side when it approaches the Prime Minister – and that applies regardless of color, notes Hans Ekström.
The reports concern how long it took before documents became public, forgotten confidential documents, and whether Kristersson's friendship with Landerholm influenced the Government Offices not to report to the police. But also about how the recruitment of Landerholm was handled.
Already reviewed
At present, it is too early to say what will happen with the KU reports.
But one can guess that there will be hearings in one or more of these cases around Landerholm, I think one can say, says Hans Ekström.
The Constitutional Committee already reviewed the appointment of Henrik Landerholm in the spring of 2023, specifically his close relationship with Ulf Kristersson and the question of bias, without any comments.
Now we, on the opposition side, think that we must redo the review of the appointment, if it was done correctly – if there were any security breaches because ordinary employment routines were not followed, says Hans Ekström.
The Constitutional Committee's task is to check whether the government and ministers follow the rules for government work.
This is what will happen next with the KU reports against Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
February:
KU has received reports up to the last day of January. The committee receives an investigation from the committee office in each case, where they go through what the case is about, what constitutional hooks there are, and if there are any previous similar cases.
Then the committee poses a number of questions, case by case, which are sent to the Government Offices for answers. Sometimes the questions need to be asked again.
March–April:
Step by step, KU works its way through the different cases. In April, there will be hearings with the parties involved, and it usually ends with the Prime Minister on the last Friday in April.
May:
After discussions and deliberations, KU's stance will be presented at the end of May.
