Leif Berix, a wealthy entrepreneur, posthumously donated nine million kronor to the Sweden Democrats and one million to the far-right newspaper Nya Tider. His estate, including a revolver found under his pillow, was liquidated as per his will. The substantial donation to the Sweden Democrats was the largest private contribution recorded for 2024, sparking discussions on political donations.
Moped Tycoon Leif Berix Donates Millions to Sweden Democrats and Far-Right Newspaper
Moped Tycoon Leif Berix Donates Millions to Sweden Democrats and Far-Right Newspaper
The wealthy entrepreneur Leif Berix, after his death, donated nine million kronor to the Sweden Democrats and one million to the company behind the far-right newspaper Nya Tider. A revolver was also found in Berix's home and was confiscated by the police.
– He kept the revolver under his pillow, says a relative.
In the summer of 2023, entrepreneur Leif Berix passed away in Trollhättan. His company began manufacturing an electric moped in the 1980s, and for a few years in the 1990s, he also published the magazine Elfordons-Nytt.
A couple of months before he passed away, he wrote a will stating that all his assets – including a property and a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow – should be sold after his death.
A .22 caliber revolver was also found in his home. A close relative recounts that he showed her the revolver:
– He kept the revolver under his pillow, she says, adding that he also stored the weapon in a safe.
Why did he have the revolver?
– For self-defense.
After Berix's death, the weapon, which lacked a permit, was confiscated by the police. According to the estate inventory, the police also assessed that the revolver had no market value. The estate did not claim the weapon, and it was left for destruction.
Bequeathed to Sweden Democrats and Far-Right Newspaper
In his will, Berix stated that his money should be donated to the Sweden Democrats, except for a small portion of the inheritance that would go to five private individuals – and one million kronor to the company Alternamedia.
Alternamedia is the company behind the newspaper Nya Tider, which has been described as far-right by the Expo Foundation. The newspaper has received significant attention over the years for being granted state press support. A heated debate also erupted about a decade ago regarding Nya Tider's participation in the Gothenburg Book Fair.
The multi-million inheritance to the Sweden Democrats has now appeared in the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency's list of donations to political parties for 2024. It shows that the party reported receiving 9,084,451 kronor from Berix's estate.
The millions to the Sweden Democrats were by far the largest single private donation any party registered with the agency for 2024.
Exposed by TV4
The issue of registering donations to political parties was highlighted before the last election following an investigation by TV4's "Kalla fakta." The program used an undercover businessman who contacted the parties wishing to donate money to them anonymously.
The rules state that donations over half a price base amount, currently just over 29,000 kronor, must be reported to the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency and thus become public. TV4's investigation showed that several parties claimed to be willing to circumvent the legislation.
The then-chief financial officer of the Sweden Democrats, Lena-Karin Lifvenhjelm, suggested to TV4's undercover businessman that the donation should be given to a person willing to stand for the contribution, after which the money would then go to the party. In this way, the real donor would remain anonymous.
The Sweden Democrats dismissed the revelation, arguing that TV4 had only included parts of a longer quote, a claim that was in turn dismissed by TV4.
Expressen has sought comments from the Sweden Democrats and Vávra Suk, CEO of Alternamedia and editor-in-chief of Nya Tider, regarding the donations from Berix.