The former Sweden Democrats (SD) MP Michael Rubbestad, who on Tuesday suddenly left the parliament after becoming the subject of an investigation for suspected child pornography offenses, may at the same time be entitled to a generous financial severance support from taxpayers.

According to parliament’s rules for transition support, Rubbestad can receive around 830,000 kronor in compensation over a year; the support corresponds to 85 percent of MPs’ salaries.

However, had he stayed for about three more weeks, a new service year would have been credited, which in turn would have granted the right to two years of transition support, amounting to 1.6 million kronor.

Advocated for Men Suspected as Pedophiles

In 2021, Rubbestad posed an interpellation to then Minister for Education Anna Ekström (S) about how the proportion of men in preschools could be increased. A large part of the interpellation dealt with the suspicions that male preschool staff feel they encounter.

READ MORE: SD MP investigated for child pornography

Among other things, he wrote that many men in preschools find it particularly difficult to cope with being viewed as “presumed pedophiles,” and that the fear of accusations can have long-reaching consequences.

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He went on to describe how men develop various strategies to avoid suspicion, for example by steering clear of certain job tasks or making sure never to be alone with children.

The transition support is decided by the parliament’s remuneration board. However, the rules state that the support can be withdrawn if a former member is convicted of a crime of such a serious nature that it appears likely the person would have been dismissed from their parliamentary position if they were still in parliament.

Whether this becomes relevant will only be determined if the investigation leads to prosecution and a possible conviction is handed down.

Samnytt has contacted both Michael Rubbestad and the Sweden Democrats for a comment. No response has yet been received.

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