Swedish Minister Ebba Busch praised the acquisition of Northvolt by American company Lyten, but it was revealed that her statement was drafted by the company itself. This has sparked criticism about the blurred lines between politics and corporate influence.
Controversy Over Ebba Busch's Statement on Northvolt Acquisition
Controversy Over Ebba Busch's Statement on Northvolt Acquisition
Swedish Minister of Enterprise Ebba Busch praised American company Lyten's acquisition of Northvolt. However, the statement in the press release was written by the company, reports SVT News.
"Remarkable," says political scientist Jenny Madestam to the channel.
In early August, it was announced that American Lyten would purchase the bankrupt battery company Northvolt.
"A win for Sweden," said the Christian Democrats leader in the quote sent out by the Silicon Valley company in its press release.
"We look forward to working with Lyten in the future to leverage the enormous potential of the assets," she also stated.
SVT has reviewed emails between Lyten and Busch's staff, showing that the company wrote her quote.
Busch: These Are My Words
The Government Offices received the quote as a suggestion in an email from Lyten and approved it without any changes.
Political scientist Jenny Madestam is critical.
"It is very important to understand that you cannot just do as a company says and express yourself as a company says. There must be a clear boundary between politics and business," she tells SVT.
Ebba Busch herself sees nothing unusual in the company formulating her words.
"Words that come from me are mine, of course," she tells SVT.
Her press secretary elaborates for the channel:
"The quote is Ebba Busch's own words. Ebba Busch had discussions with Lyten before the deal. Based on the conversations, Lyten wrote a quote from Ebba Busch that she approved."