Rising Criticism Over High Salaries for Swedish Municipal Politicians in Hässleholm and Oskarshamn

Public dissatisfaction is mounting over the substantial salaries received by municipal politicians in Sweden, notably in Hässleholm and Oskarshamn. In Hässleholm, Lena Wallentheim (S), the full-time chair of the municipal board, earned a gross income of 937,792 kronor in 2024, marking the highest pay among local politicians. This amount surpasses the salary of some members of parliament by 15%, with her monthly salary set to increase to 84,249 kronor in 2026. Other prominent politicians in Hässleholm, including Lina Bengtsson (M) and Hanna Nilsson (SD), also receive nearly one million kronor annually when combining salaries and allowances. An investigation revealed discrepancies in allowances and expenses, resulting in overpayments that have since been rectified and reporting systems updated to prevent future errors.

Meanwhile, in Oskarshamn, criticism focuses on Anton Sejnehed of the Social Democrats, who earns close to 100,000 kronor monthly from multiple political roles. His chairmanship of Kretslopp Sydost alone accounts for approximately 40,000 kronor monthly. Critics argue that these high remunerations come with limited work demands due to administrative structures, such as the presence of a federation director.

Highlighting the growing call for reform, Jan Johansson from Oskarshamnspartiet pledged to remove such high salaries if the party gains political influence. Johansson emphasized prioritizing community welfare—like providing warm meals to the elderly, free parking, lower municipal taxes, and investments in outlying areas—over politicians’ income. This reflects a broader public sentiment demanding accountability and cheaper governance in Swedish municipalities.