He worked at the government office for just under two years – and earned SEK 162,500 a month.
But in the archives there is only one document that bears Dan Eliasson’s name.
– It is clear that there will be a reduction in work intensity when directors-general are moved, says political scientist Göran Sundström.
A trip to the sun in the middle of the corona pandemic meant that Dan Eliasson had to leave his post as director general at the Norwegian Agency for Community Safety and Preparedness, MSB.
He then went from being the top manager of around 1,200 employees to a desk at the government office and the task of investigating the need for a review of the Swedish constitutional preparedness.
– So it’s about looking at what may need to change in the face of future crises, said a spokesperson.
Conclusion: A single agenda
Dan Eliasson was placed in the government office on January 7, 2021. About two weeks later, he received the formal investigative assignment.
On May 24, 2021, Eliasson submitted his final report to the then State Secretary Elisabeth Backteman. This was done orally, but what was said is difficult to find out. There are no minutes or other documentation from the meeting.
Aftonbladet has requested all documents relating to Dan Eliasson’s work at the government office. It turns out that the only trace left by the former director general in the archives is an agenda from a digital seminar held in April 2021.
The theme was “good constitutional preparedness”. Dan Eliasson was the moderator. One of the participants was the lawyer and former Chancellor of Justice Johan Hirschfeldt.
– I was there because I have an investigative assignment concerning those questions. Dan Eliasson led the meeting, but I can’t say more about it.
“Very qualified people”
Dan Eliasson’s appointment expired on December 31, 2022. He thus remained working in the government office for just over 1.5 years after he presented his assignment. This time is also undocumented.
“He assisted with internal analysis and development work,” says a comment from the government office’s press service.
Brita Hybbinette is head of the unit for state employer policy at the government office. She states that it is the respective supervisors who are responsible for keeping the general managers at what is sometimes called the “Elephant Cemetery” busy.
– These are highly qualified people with extensive experience. My view is that they get tasks that suit their high level of competence.
The political scientist: Good system
Göran Sundström is professor of political science at Stockholm University. He believes that it is natural that a transfer means that the pace of work becomes calmer.
– A director-general is in charge of lots of people and is responsible for a large budget. Whoever comes to the government office often has to deal with a one-man investigation that may not always be of the heaviest kind.
According to Sundström, most people agree that the “Elephant cemetery” fulfills an important function.
– There is a fairly large consensus that this construction is the best that can be achieved.
Aftonbladet has applied for the former state secretary Elisabeth Backteman, who is now director general at the Agency for Growth. However, she does not want to answer any questions about her previous role. The person who was Dan Eliasson’s closest boss gives the same answer. She too has left the government office.
Aftonbladet has applied for Dan Eliasson via MSB, the government office and other former colleagues. He has not been reached.