"What is a diplomat doing at New Republic?"
2022-09-05
Three quick questions to Stefan Söderberg, a new consultant at New Republic, about what he brings to a public affairs agency. Stefan comes to us from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, where he, among other things, served as a diplomat. Prior to that, he was a political adviser to the Moderate Party.
With you joining us, what does it mean for New Republic’s international offering?
– Many of our clients need to be able to navigate and act in completely different arenas. I provide practical experience from the local to the international level, and I have experience of how the conditions for political decision-making differ in different parts of the world. I am looking forward to drawing on this experience in my role as an adviser.
Putting your diplomat’s hat on, how would you describe the situation in the world?
– Dramatic. How US-China relations develop will, in the short term, be critical to the global situation. Russia’s actions are causing acute suffering in Ukraine and uncertainty in our part of the world. Europe needs to rapidly reduce its dependence on Russian energy, and Sweden’s application to join NATO fundamentally changes our foreign and security policy. On a positive note, climate issues are now about taking concrete measures; not least, Swedish companies are providing important solutions as part of the green transition.
How do you think this autumn’s general election will go?
– Regardless of which side commands a majority, we can expect tough negotiations before a new government can be installed. This is how it works in many other European countries, and we might also have to get used to this in Sweden. It will also be interesting to follow the Italian general election and see who will be the new UK prime minister. We shall see how President Macron can implement his policies after this summer’s French presidential elections and how this autumn’s US congressional elections will impact President Biden. What is more, the Chinese Party Congress is expected to elect Xi Jinping as its leader for a third term.
Stefan Söderberg was interviewed by Jean-Daniel Maurin, CGS & Partner at New Republic. ‘Three Quick Questions…’ is a series of interviews conducted by New Republic