Abolishing Sweden's 'Elephant Graveyard' Needs Careful Consideration, Says Lawyer

The Swedish government intends to eliminate the practice of placing high-ranking state officials, such as Director-Generals, in a "so-called elephant graveyard" after their appointments conclude. This system, where individuals continue to receive salaries without defined responsibilities, is slated to be replaced with severance packages.

Aud Sjökvist, a lawyer, acknowledges the government's proposal as fundamentally reasonable, stating, "It is difficult to defend a system where individuals are placed in the Government Offices for extended periods without clear tasks while still receiving pay." However, she cautions that the public debate surrounding this issue may become overly simplified, potentially overlooking crucial aspects of state administration.

Sjökvist draws on her own experience of spending several years in such a position. She recounts that upon becoming Director-General of the National Board of Health and Welfare (HSAN) in 2009, she resigned from her permanent judge position, having been denied a leave of absence. During her tenure, she voiced professional criticisms regarding new patient safety legislation, including concerns about the handling of patient complaints and the appeal process for healthcare professionals facing criticism.

Her personal account underscores a critical point: the necessity for state officials to express professional judgments, even when these diverge from the political leadership's views. Sjökvist suggests that if Director-Generals perceive that withholding critical opinions is the safest path to career advancement, it could undermine the state's ability to recruit and retain highly qualified individuals for vital public service roles.

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It is difficult to defend a system where individuals are placed in the Government Offices for extended periods without clear tasks while still receiving pay.