Prime Minister's wife's manor renovated by volunteers, offers access to power network

Birgitta Ed, the wife of Sweden's Prime Minister, co-owns a manor with a close friend, Göran Thorstensson. The property, Fållökna manor near Malmköping, was purchased for 11 million Swedish kronor and previously served as a retreat center for the Church of Sweden. The couple and Thorstensson each own a wing of the manor, while the main building is rented out to a foundation they operate.

This foundation, which aims to promote existential health through retreats based on Christian values, is funded by donations and relies on volunteers for renovations. Participants can attend a two-day silent retreat for 3,900 kronor, led by Ed and other invited figures. While the foundation's board members are unpaid, Birgitta Ed receives a monthly stipend of 22,000 kronor for her role.

Notable politicians, including Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson himself and others from his network, have participated in volunteer workdays to renovate the manor. Board meetings have even been held at the prime minister's official residence. The foundation is also seeking grants from the General Inheritance Fund. According to reports, the reward for this volunteer work is the opportunity to meet the prime minister and gain access to his network.

Experts have voiced concerns about the conflation of public and private spheres. Olle Lundin, a professor of administrative law, told Aftonbladet that using one's position to create private financial gain, especially when involving donations for renovations of privately owned property, could be seen as corruption in other countries. Neither the prime minister nor Birgitta Ed have responded to questions, though Thorstensson provided a written statement to Aftonbladet describing the foundation's activities and asserting adherence to regulations.

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It is clear that one can associate with whomever one wants. But it is still the case that here Ulf Kristersson and his wife are using their position to create private financial gain. And that is called in all other countries pure and simple corruption