It is a well-known fact that the Kingdom of Sweden is one of the most cultured and civilized countries in the EU. And the Swedes themselves, like the rest of the Scandinavians, have done too much to improve the quality of their lives. In fact, this can be said for the rest of the Scandinavian countries, which can be a model for us. I will only mention that a Bulgarian buys half a book a year /that is, one every two years/, while the Finns only...18! Of course, the difference in mentality between us and the Scandinavians, here, specifically, the Swedes and the Bulgarians, is really huge, but it's not just about that, right? But since we are talking about the Swedish MPs, let's say something about them.
The meaning of democracy, we know, is to choose the “best among equals” and entrust them with the reins of government. With the Swedes, it turns out that they know how to choose the “best among equals”, without these chosen ones turning into some self-styled, greedy, corrupt and insolent "elite", as has been happening, unfortunately, for 30 years in our country . Swedish elected officials are just normal honest people with a mission and a sense of duty to their constituents and nothing more. They are not some kind of “elite”.
„We are ordinary citizens. We don't need any parliamentary privileges. It is insulting to ask for such! Our task is simply to represent the citizens and to know well the reality in which they live. To represent the citizens – this in itself is a very important privilege as far as possible to influence the development of our country,” – said in an interview the member of the Social Democratic Party, MP Per Arne Hockasson.
The Parliament of Stockholm has only three cars: for the Speaker, the Prime Minister and their deputies. Cars are used only for official occasions. All MPs go to work by public transport. For this purpose, the state grants them a certain amount every year.
Only the Prime Minister is allowed to use a company car, which is maintained by the State Security Service. Of course, any MP can ask the administration of the Parliament for a car if there is a serious reason for doing so. People's elected representatives generally do not use taxis, except in emergencies.
Until 1957, Swedish MPs did not receive a penny for their work, but then it was decided to pay salaries. Now the monthly salary there is 40,000 kroner, which is comparable to the salary of a regular primary school teacher.
Deputies do not have the right to determine, index and vote their salaries themselves. For this purpose, there is an independent three-member committee, outside the Parliament, which includes a chairman, in the capacity of a judge, and two other members, and independent journalists or retired civil servants are chosen for this purpose.
Members of the Swedish Parliament are provided with modest state accommodation. These are studio apartments of 45 square meters, where the room usually serves as both a bedroom and a living room. The maintenance of the accommodation is the job of the deputies themselves / there are no cleaners or maids!/. The administration of the Parliament is obliged once a year to provide basic cleaning and repair works. The apartment is intended only for the Member of Parliament. His family has no right to live there for free. Even for the overnight stay of a close person, the deputy must pay for it to the state.
There is no restaurant in the Stockholm Parliament building, but a buffet and a canteen without waiters. Each deputy is only served, after which he is obliged to return the dishes he used to the place, having previously washed them!
It is impossible for a member of parliament, when visiting a restaurant, to have lunch or dinner with state money!
No MP in Stockholm is entitled to a secretary or assistant. Each party receives from the state a certain, not very large sum for the formation of a general party secretariat to help its elected officials. None of the party members can call on a member of the secretariat for personal help and services, which means that the Swedish MPs make their own agenda for the day, week and month, schedule their own meetings and serve their guests their own coffee.
For lifetime pensions of former politicians, MPs, ministers in Sweden, there is no question!
Former MPs who are out of work are being paid an allowance of 85 percent of their salary for just two years. But in order to receive this amount in the second year as well, you will have to prove that you are not yet in another job.
Regional politicians in Sweden receive neither salaries nor pensions.
In Sweden, working for the state is considered a duty, a mission, a matter of honor, not a way of personal enrichment and gaining influence...
Well, we, in Bulgaria, are probably not from Europe, but from another planet...
I will leave the text uncommented. I only remember how our previous chairwoman T.C. she went to a resort in Evsinograd, with a maid, a driver and a personal chef, because she didn't like the kitchen in the palace...
And the current lady from Kardzhali stated bluntly: “We are not ordinary people, we have other needs...” Not to mention salaries and allowances that are indexed every three months, even during crises and pandemics... The greed and arrogance of most of our “ folk intruders” is really proverbial!
P.P. The monthly salary of Mr. President is already 20,000, and the deputies' salary is only half – 10,000….
Ognyan Stamboliev,
PEN- Bg