Tidöpartierna Proposes Prison Sentences Up to Six Years for Abuse of Public Office

The Tidöpartierna coalition in Sweden has introduced a legislative proposal aiming to criminalize abuse of public office by politicians and civil servants, with prison terms of up to six years for serious misconduct. This new crime seeks to extend accountability beyond current laws that address misconduct only related to official duties. Under the proposed law, public officials who intentionally violate laws and regulations for personal gain or to harm others—including links with gang criminals—could be prosecuted and face fines or imprisonment ranging from one and a half to six years, depending on the severity of the offense.

The initiative, championed by key figures such as justitieminister Gunnar Strömmer (Moderates), Henrik Vinge (Sweden Democrats), Gudrun Brunegård (Christian Democrats), and Martin Melin (Liberals), is motivated by a desire to combat corruption and protect democratic integrity. Strömmer has expressed urgency in enacting these changes, hoping to accelerate the law’s implementation ahead of the planned July 3 effective date.

Currently, Swedish law only allows prosecution for misconduct directly tied to official duties, such as service errors and bribery, but this proposal aims to close a legal gap by covering abuses unrelated to direct job functions, including misuse of taxpayer funds. The coalition insists that hardworking taxpayers should not have their money wasted by officials misusing power.

The plan follows up on the Moderates' campaign promise from the 2022 election to strengthen official accountability. However, while the minimipunishment for severe duties violations will be increased, the government does not intend to raise the maximum penalties beyond six years, which diverges from some investigative recommendations.

If enacted, the law would mark a significant shift in Swedish political and civil service governance, imposing stricter consequences for deliberate abuse of power to safeguard public trust and democratic processes.