Hidden Ties and Shadow Interests? On the Interplay between Politics, Lobbying, and Corruption in Municipalities

Municipal politicians make decisions on the procurement of goods and services totaling up to SEK 1,000 billion annually, and they decide whether welfare services should be outsourced to private providers. This research project examines municipal politicians who also hold positions in, or have connections to, PR and consulting firms, companies in the social infrastructure and public property sector, or firms that provide publicly financed welfare services. The aim of the project is to describe the economic effects of these connections, both for the individuals concerned and for the firms they represent.

Funder: The Swedish Research Council