D, M and KD want to investigate the possibilities of buying the Russian consulate at St Sigfrid’s plan in Gothenburg. On Wednesday, the issue will be decided by the municipal board, and the parties themselves do not believe in expropriation, but want a legal assessment on the matter.
– The consulate will probably be empty for several years, says Jan Jörnmark, docent in economic history.
In May, Russia announced that it was closing the consulate in Gothenburg, this after relations between Sweden and the country deteriorated significantly. The closure began on September 1 and now the premises echo empty.
But there still seem to be people living in the residential part of the consulate. Balcony doors are open and flower pots are visible in the windows.
Expert in abandoned places skeptical
Jan Jörnmark, author and docent in economic history, has written several books about abandoned places. He says that the building has been surrounded by rumors since the 80s when the Russians took it over.
Watch Jan Jörmark talk about the rumor era and what he thinks about expropriation in the clip above.
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