Opposition Demands Resignations of Social Democratic Politicians Amid Sundsvall Economic Crime Investigation

In Sundsvall, the opposition parties Moderaterna (M) and Sverigedemokraterna (SD) are calling for the resignation of two Social Democratic politicians, Petter Stenberg and Anita Bdioui, who are under investigation for serious economic crimes. The probe follows a raid by the Economic Crime Authority on the municipal office, which also involved five arrests related to fraud and accounting violations connected to financial reporting for Sundsvall Logistikpark and Stadsbacken AB.

Both Stenberg, chairman of Stadsbacken, and Bdioui, chairman of Sundsvalls Logistikpark, deny the charges and have chosen to take a pause from their political duties. Their legal representatives expect the suspicions to be dismissed. The investigation has centred around the 2024 financial statements and controversial valuations within municipal companies.

Opposition leader Viktoria Jansson of Moderaterna stated, "It is time to clean up," underscoring the demand for accountability following warnings from auditors about the financial instability. Timothy Brander-Lie from SD criticized the inflated valuation of Sundsvalls Logistikpark AB, advocating for its write-down to zero. Moderaterna admitted they erred in approving the company's annual report despite auditor warnings, with Jansson acknowledging, "We made a wrong decision there and then."

The unfolding situation has intensified scrutiny of Sundsvall's local government financial management and raised demands for transparency and responsible governance.