Fredrik Reinfeldt och litteraturens (problematiska) värld

Abstract

Fredrik Reinfeldt and the (problematic) literary world

This article deals with the Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt’s problematic relationship to the literary world. Or rather: his difficulties with the many media narratives that point out his lack of interest for literature and culture. The fact that he spent the summer of 2011 reading the Swedish crime fiction queen Camilla Läckberg – whose literary reputation is not the best – was widely ridiculed in the press. As Prime Minister, however, the Reinfeldt persona also becomes part of the Swedish literature: as a fictional character in contemporary novels but also in the many biographies that portray Reinfeldt and his transformation of the conservative party. These biographies together with the on going media narratives clearly construct Reinfeldt as a celebrity politician.

Key words: Swedish Prime Minister, literature and politics, media narratives, celebrity politician