Clara Lindblom, a prominent Stockholm politician, is leaving her political role to become the deputy CEO of Micasa, a municipal property company. Her departure coincides with allegations of abusing her political power to pressure a private landlord, sparking what some call one of Stockholm's biggest scandals.
Clara Lindblom Resigns Amid Scandal to Join Micasa as Deputy CEO
Clara Lindblom Resigns Amid Scandal to Join Micasa as Deputy CEO
Stockholm's prominent Left Party politician, Clara Lindblom, is stepping down from politics to become the deputy CEO of the property company Micasa, Expressen reveals. This announcement comes as Lindblom faces accusations of extorting a landlord.
"This is extremely serious and a massive scandal," says opposition leader Christofer Fjellner (Moderate Party).
As the housing and property councilor, Clara Lindblom has been one of Stockholm's most powerful politicians, responsible for municipal housing companies.
Recently, it was confirmed that she will leave her position this fall to take on a new job.
Expressen can now reveal that the Left Party leader will become the deputy CEO of one of the municipal companies she previously oversaw. Micasa, responsible for the city's senior housing, welcomes the councilor to its management team.
Due to the Left Party's tax policy, her salary will increase from approximately 36,300 SEK per month to over 100,000 SEK.
Contacted Landlord from Work Email
The announcement coincides with allegations that Clara Lindblom attempted to use her political power to pressure a private landlord.
The background is that Clara Lindblom and her husband were divorcing, and Lindblom wanted her husband to take over the lease and remain in their former shared rental apartment. However, he did not meet the private housing company's income requirements.
In emails to her landlord, she called the company "directly arrogant," stated that the emails would be shown to the company's management and board, and that the company would need to make changes to receive future land allocations, Aftonbladet reveals.
The emails, intended to persuade the landlord to change their decision and favor Lindblom's ex-husband, were sent from her work address with Stockholm city's domain name.
To Aftonbladet, Clara Lindblom writes that she was a mother in crisis and that it was reckless and inappropriate of her to pressure the company.
Fjellner: "One of Stockholm's Biggest Scandals"
Christofer Fjellner, the Moderate Party's opposition councilor in Stockholm, is very upset about Clara Lindblom's actions, which he calls a blatant abuse of power.
"It could be one of Stockholm's biggest scandals ever, that a responsible councilor threatens actors in the housing market for personal gain. It might even be criminal.
Under normal circumstances, Fjellner would have demanded Lindblom's resignation, but it seems pointless now as she is already stepping down, he says.
Fjellner fully understands that a divorce can be extremely difficult on a personal level.
"But it must not lead to actions that can be perceived as extortion. She has clearly not separated her roles.
And if Lindblom's threats influenced the city, it is a major scandal, he continues.
"It must be clarified. The scandal casts Lindblom's resignation in a different light, and it is sad," says Fjellner.
Clara Lindblom is the third top politician in Stockholm's ruling coalition to announce their resignation in a short period: Previously, Karin Wanngård (Social Democrats) and Åsa Lindhagen (Green Party) have stated they will not seek re-election.