Criticism of the chairperson of the Municipal Assembly in Uppsala Municipality for failing to observe the objectivity required by the Instrument of Government in a statement to a court

Summary of the decision: A member of the municipality appealed against the municipal assembly’s decision that the municipal housing company should acquire certain properties. In a statement to the court, among other things the chairperson of the municipal assembly stated that it was completely contrary to the basic concept of democracy for a decision taken lawfully and according to democratic principles to be delayed or nullified by a baseless, poorly substantiated appeal, and that the appeal was rather politically motivated.

According to the Parliamentary Ombudsman, the formulation of the chairperson’s statement expressed a lack of respect for the appellant’s right to have the legality of the decision tried, and the chairperson is criticised for thereby failing to observe the objectivity required by the Instrument of Government (SFS 1974:152).