Updated 18:57 Published 16:52
“We will never sign this contract”, says S-mayor Jan Valeskog.
The Stockholm City Planning Office must not promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion. This is what the US Embassy demands in a letter, with a contract they expect the city to sign.
“It's completely bizarre,” says Jan Valeskog (S), Mayor of Stockholm. Text Mia Tottmar
The embassy begins the letter with “Dear City Planning Office” and then explains that a new policy requires anyone from whom the US government purchases goods and services to sign the contract.
The Department of Public Works is expected to sign and return the contract within 10 business days.
We absolutely will not do that, it goes against everything we stand for. They should withdraw these oddities," says Jan Valeskog.
It is the embassy that benefits from the City of Stockholm, not the other way around, he believes.
If the US terminates its relationship with the City Planning Office, the embassy will find it difficult to obtain building permits if they want to rebuild, for example. “That's their headache, not ours,” says Valeskog.
According to the National Board of Housing, Building Permits are required for new construction, extensions and certain changes to the external appearance of buildings.
The US embassy at Gärdet in Stockholm. Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT
DN has previously reported that the USA has demanded the same of Swedish companies that supply goods and services. At the time, the embassy replied in an email to DN that “U.S. missions are reviewing contracts and grants to ensure they comply with the White House's latest executive order”.
Shortly after Trump was sworn in as president in January, he signed an executive order to scrap government-funded programs aimed at promoting inclusion, equality and diversity in the workplace.
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