The procurement concerns a new main journal system worth around SEK 10-14 billion. By law, there is absolute confidentiality in procurement. This means that nothing is allowed to leak to unauthorized before a decision has been made on winning tenders.
The journal procurement in the region has long been edged by criticism and information that secret information must have leaked to outsiders. But already in October last year, Dagens Medicin wrote that the privacy has broken and today Ekot reports that the leaks were spread as early as 2023.
Got tips
Region Stockholm received an anonymous tip that the procurement confidentiality may have been broken in the summer of 2024. The tip contained an audio recording in which a former S-politician, now adviser at a communications agency, suggests knowledge of classified procurement details. The same communication agency “Advisory Board” is led by former Prime Minister Göran Persson (S).
TV4 News has taken part in the recording, where former S politician mentions the companies Systematic and Cambio as final candidates in the region’s procurement. Göran Persson (S), former chairman of the board of Cambio, is now adviser to the company’s board and owns shares in the company – but states for Ekot that he does not remember the size of his holding.
– Yes, I don’t even remember that, he tells Sweden’s Radio.
Cambio and Systematic were also identified in October as final candidates in Dagens Medicin. The newspaper’s tasks are based on several, independent sources and not the sound recording, confirms Dagens Media’s reporter for TV4 News.
Investigation omitted media tasks
In the autumn of 2024, the region appointed an investigation into the leaks. The assignment went to the law firm Time Danowsky – the same agency that produced the procurement criteria. The final report, which was submitted in December, concluded that there was no evidence for the alleged leaks. The lawyers only investigated the tips received by the region, but the published information in the media was never reviewed.
The regional board would have decided on the procurement on Tuesday, but it was postponed up to February 18 after the requirements of the opposition. The Moderates, Christian Democrats and Liberals believe that they lack insight into the process and want to get better evidence before taking a stand. Crisis S-government this week has the criticism of the S-led government, with the Financial Region Council Aida Hadžialić (S) at the forefront, has grown on social media. Moderate politician Hanif Bali wrote on X that “Social Democracy’s ability to launch politicians, lobbyist, business and unpolitical officials is unparalleled”.
According to information to TV4 News, the Social Democrats in the region have had crisis meetings several days in a week, which the party denies. Region Stockholm’s Board of Directors and Aida Hadžialić (S) have also been reported to the police for infidelity against the principal of the procurement, according to Dagens Opinion.
On Tuesday, February 18, Region Stockholm will decide on the procurement.
TV4 News has sought the Social Democrats in the Stockholm Region and Aida Hadžialić (S) as declined interview