Oscar Stenström has for decades been a discreet figure in the Social Democratic power sphere. According to a profile in Dagens Nyheter on 9 July, he has worked under, among others, Jan Eliasson, Margot Wallström, and also as an advisor to Stefan Löfven. In March 2022, he abruptly left his ambassadorship in Chile to become State Secretary to Magdalena Andersson. When Sweden and Finland submitted their applications to become NATO members, Stenström became Sweden's chief negotiator.
After the change of government, Stenström remained as chief negotiator. Foreign Minister Tobias Billström tells Dagens Nyheter:
– He represents continuity and the institutional memory, which was also a signal to the outside world [...] He is a skilled professional diplomat and a tough negotiator who is structured and has the ability to see around corners, he says.
Oscar Stenström is thus leaving the Government Offices for a job in the Wallenberg sphere, which Dagens ETC was the first to report. On 1 September this year, Stenström plans to start a position at Wallenberg Foundations AB, which administers the Swedish industrial family's foundation activities, the newspaper writes.
In a comment to Aftonbladet, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson writes:
– I thank Oscar Stenström for his outstanding efforts and for completing the work that had been initiated. This continuity has been important. I am convinced that Oscar will also be of great benefit in the private sector.
In the same article, Oscar Stenström also comments on the decision:
– My mission as NATO negotiator is completed with the agreement in Vilnius. Turkey has promised ratification. I look forward to my new assignment within the Wallenberg sphere. I thank for the trust I have been given to be part of the work on the application and then negotiate our Swedish NATO membership.