Per Bolund about the years as spokesperson in the MP

After almost 20 years in the political top echelon, Per Bolund is now putting an end to his political career.

Aftonbladet has followed the outgoing mouthpiece during the last week in the center of power, where he looks back on his time in government, the quarrels with the opposition and the clever relationship with Greta Thunberg’s climate movement.

– Fridays for future and Greta Thunberg say that politics will not solve the problems, that we have to go out into the streets and they talk about the power of the people and stuff like that. It is based on distrust.

On the dirt roads of Flanders, Belgian cycling enthusiasts log many miles.

Among cyclists, a phenomenon known as “Belgian toothpaste” is emerging.

It’s the brown splatter of earth, dirt and water thrown up from the rear wheel of bicycles and hitting the faces of fellow cyclists.

In those who suffocate with their mouths open, the soot finds its way into the mouth.

But the phenomenon is not unique to Flanders. Even cyclists on Stockholm’s streets are treated to the repulsive arrangement – especially when cyclists opt out of mudguards on their lightning-fast and insanely expensive bikes.

Every day, regardless of the weather, Per Bolund has cycled to work in Stockholm as a spokesperson for the Green Party. Soon it will be over.

The outgoing mouthpiece has no mudguards.

– Maybe I’ll have to get it now that you say it like that, says Per Bolund and laughs when he is pointed out about the unsolidarity of offering Belgian toothpaste.

As a cyclist, Bolund has enjoyed the increased privileges that party colleague Daniel Helldén set aside for cyclists during his time as traffic councillor.

– I will always be grateful for that, says Per Bolund about the spokesperson candidate’s infrastructure policy in the capital.

Questions about who should take over his place at the top of the party do not get any further than that. Per Bolund hands over the process with a warm hand to the party congress, which will make its choice this weekend.

– We are an organization that is as far from hierarchies as you can get. One should have a listening leadership, a leadership that is curious to hear about other paths, images and thoughts than one’s own.

“As long as I don’t get a goat somewhere in Africa”

Per Bolund’s last week as spokesperson begins with a preparation for the party leader debate, which will be about the EU.

In the role of the opposition, Per Bolund will attack the government’s climate policy and he tries his talking points against his press secretary in his office in the party’s premises in the House of Representatives at the Riksdag.

– There is no reason to be extra nice just because it is the last debate, says Bolund to his colleague.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) will be told that he will not reach the EU’s or the Swedish climate goals. SD must be told that they do not want to take responsibility for climate policy. Ebba Busch is attacked in her role as energy minister.

Bolund laughs.

– It’s so damn obvious that they can’t deliver.

Ahead of the debate on Wednesday, the question also arises of what kind of gifts he will receive from the other party leaders when he is thanked. He knows what he doesn’t want.

– As long as I don’t get a goat somewhere in Africa, Bolund says half jokingly during lunch in the Riksdag’s canteen after the preparations for the debate.

About Greta Thunberg: “Based on a mistrust”

Political life has made Per Bolund more stubborn. It has also given him an understanding that change takes time, even if he is still impatient.

– One of the most difficult parts of being a politician is that the natural science timescale, with a shrinking carbon dioxide budget, and the social science timescale, which requires time for things to fall into place, have been difficult to reconcile.

– I have felt a stress that we have to do more. But it makes me proud that we managed to make so many decisions despite damning bad conditions with a parliamentary majority that wanted to stop most of it. We were on our way to reaching the climate goal of zero emissions in 2045.

Per Bolund says he felt great doubt within his own green movement. Doubts about whether the party would get through enough policies to reverse the Swedish emission levels.

– Fridays for future and Greta Thunberg say that politics will not solve the problems, that we have to go out into the streets and they talk about the power of the people and stuff like that. It is based on distrust. I am still proud that we have shown that it is possible to come up with the solutions.

So do you have a good conscience for future generations?

– Yes, to the extent that I know how much toil and how many nights I spent on getting politics in a greener direction. Then I can’t say that I am sure that we will manage this planet, to fix a climate in which we and our children will live good lives.

– We have had to fight for every reform that I can think of as obvious. The flight tax, for example, is just an implementation of what the Riksdag has stood behind many times, that each mode of transport should bear its own costs. Nevertheless, it is an incredible fight, they threaten to bring down governments and no confidence in ministers.

Promise not to become a lobbyist

Wednesday and time for the EU debate. Bolund is freshly cut and dressed in a gray suit. When he rehearses his speeches in his study, he does so standing up.

There is a little sprinkling in the legs and the left hand goes in and out of the trouser pocket. It’s not so much nervousness, more anticipation.

He clocks the speech so as not to overrun the time, only overruns by six seconds.

– It works, he says and gathers up his papers in the briefcase before he steps off towards the Riksdag’s chamber.

Once there, he doesn’t get a goat in Africa.

There will be ties, books and a rain poncho. He also receives praise from his fellow party leaders. Magdalena Andersson calls him her partner at the Ministry of Finance (she was Minister of Finance when he was Minister of Financial Markets).

Party colleagues in the chancellery in the Riksdag describe him as almost annoyingly positive. He has been heard coming in the corridor because he often whistles happily.

Were there never times when you got angry in politics?

– Well, what makes me angry is when you encounter irrelevant and untrue arguments and evasions. An example of that is when Jimmie Åkesson says that we have it worse than everyone else in order to cope with the climate. Then you mislead the Swedish people. Trying to remain in old solutions when the world changes is the recipe for ending up in a poor Sweden. It has hurt a lot and built up contradictions.

– The transition will create problems and people will lose their jobs, so how do we take care of it? That one chooses the easy way and spreads misconceptions and misdirection. It has pissed me off.

What do you want to do now? Are you going to become a board professional?

– I will not do something I do not believe in or that is not rooted in my values. Now there are lots of companies that are built with sustainability at the core and as part of the business concept. If I could be a part of it, it would be great fun.

Many politicians become lobbyists, will you?

– No, I won’t be.