Michael Claesson becomes Sweden’s new commander-in-chief.
An expected choice, according to TV4’s defense reporter Jessica Josefsson, but perhaps not the most expected.
Michael Claesson has broad experience and the right knowledge according to both the government and the opposition. In addition, he has long had access to the same information that ÖB has, which should give him a short starting distance, says Jessica Josefsson, defense reporter at TV4 Nyheterna.
Was it an expected choice?
– Yes, Claesson was an expected choice, even if in this context he is older than most have been when they have become commander-in-chief in Sweden. But he is a very recognized and appreciated person within the Armed Forces and also in the rest of defense Sweden. He is seen as competent and knowledgeable and knows the whole bureaucracy, says Jessica Josefsson, defense reporter at TV4 Nyheterna.
Why wasn’t it the head of the navy Ewa Skoog Haslum?
– Ewa Skoog Haslum has been favored and appreciated in her own ranks. It was also a bit of the navy’s turn, if you may say so. ÖB tends to ambulate, so to speak, between the armed forces, the army, the air force and the navy. Micael Bydén belonged to the flight and the one before him, Sverker Göransson, was from the army. But Ewa Skoog Haslum herself has explicitly said that she is not available for that job and that she wants to continue her work as head of the navy.
What will change with Claesson as ÖB?
– I wouldn’t say that the difference will be that big against Micael Bydén. There is more to continuing on the beaten path. On the other hand, characterized by the fact that the Armed Forces will be recast after NATO membership and perhaps also to some extent by the DCA agreement with the USA. The big challenges will be buying things at the right time and deciding what to donate to Ukraine in these times of rearmament.
Lieutenant General Michael Claesson.
Lieutenant General Michael Claesson.
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT