12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS
In the program 'Uppdrag Granskning' broadcast on the Swedish state television channel SVT, allegations of irregularities regarding the Prime Minister's wife were reported. In the news program based on 'investigative journalism', it was proven with documents that Birgitta Kristersson billed the state for the trips she attended. Following the allegations, a deduction was made from the Prime Minister's salary to recover the travel costs paid by the state.
According to SVT's report, Kristersson attended the Helsinki and Washington trips together with his wife, Birgitta. The First Lady, who traveled on the state plane and stayed in the same room as her husband, had her accommodation and travel expenses covered by the state.
STATE PAYING FOR THE FIRST LADY'S EXPENSES IS 'CORRUPTION'
According to Swedish law, for the travel and accommodation expenses of public officials to be paid by the state, they must participate in trips with 'official duty' status. However, Birgitta did not attend the Prime Minister's visits to Finland and the USA for 'official duty' reasons. Therefore, by law, she was required to pay the full travel fare and 25% of the hotel costs to the state. The fact that the expenses were paid by the state is considered 'corruption' under Swedish law.
Following SVT's coverage of the incident, cabinet member Hans Bäck made a statement to SVT, arguing that 'the incident was a misunderstanding'. Stating that the Prime Minister and the First Lady were unaware of the situation, Bäck said, “When the Prime Minister learned of the incident, he asked us to do everything necessary.”
THE TRUE COST OF THE PLANES REVEALED DURING THE INVESTIGATION
SVT's report also included striking details regarding the public cost of state aircraft. The 'Uppdrag Granskning' program claimed that while examining the public cost of the First Lady accompanying the Prime Minister on his trips, they discovered that the cost of state aircraft was much higher than reported. According to the report, while the official cost of state aircraft is 10,800 Swedish Krona per hour, in reality, this cost ranges between 80,000 and 120,000 Swedish Krona. The report emphasizes that 'the public was misinformed' and alleges that the government lied about the actual costs.
News Source: 12punto
