Odenberg only candidate for energy agency post
A consultant hired by the government to find a new director general for state electricity utility Svenska Kraftnät had only one name from which to choose.
Practically speaking, former defence minister Mikael Odenberg was the only candidate for the job.
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt had said that his party colleague was chosen on the advice of an external consultant who had concluded that Odenberg was best suited for the job compared with other competing candidates.
But the consultant, Per Brolin, has told Swedish Radio that he only assessed one candidate—a candidate chosen by the government without his knowledge.
“I was paid to assess one candidate,” said Brolin.
That candidate was Mikael Odenberg.
The recruitment process was managed by the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications (Näringsdepartementet), which first offered Brolin two names for the position.
But the other candidate wasn’t interested in the job, thus leaving Odenberg as the only applicant under consideration.
The social democrats have criticized the government’s approach to making appoints for open positions.
“The government has stressed emphatically that all positions will be advertised, that the process is completely open, and that political considerations are not involved…but time after time, the same old moderate party politicians keep popping up as new directors,” said Peter Hultqvist, a social democratic member of the Riksdag.
Comments
See Also
Practically speaking, former defence minister Mikael Odenberg was the only candidate for the job.
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt had said that his party colleague was chosen on the advice of an external consultant who had concluded that Odenberg was best suited for the job compared with other competing candidates.
But the consultant, Per Brolin, has told Swedish Radio that he only assessed one candidate—a candidate chosen by the government without his knowledge.
“I was paid to assess one candidate,” said Brolin.
That candidate was Mikael Odenberg.
The recruitment process was managed by the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications (Näringsdepartementet), which first offered Brolin two names for the position.
But the other candidate wasn’t interested in the job, thus leaving Odenberg as the only applicant under consideration.
The social democrats have criticized the government’s approach to making appoints for open positions.
“The government has stressed emphatically that all positions will be advertised, that the process is completely open, and that political considerations are not involved…but time after time, the same old moderate party politicians keep popping up as new directors,” said Peter Hultqvist, a social democratic member of the Riksdag.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.