Tobias Billström

Infobox_Politician


imagesize = 150px
name = Tobias Billström
|width = 180px
birth_date = birth date and age|1973|12|27
birth_place = Malmö, Sweden
residence =
office = Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy
term_start = October 6, 2006
term_end =
predecessor = Barbro Holmberg
alma_mater = Lund University
University of Cambridge
party = Moderate Party
website = [http://www.tobiasbillstrom.se/ www.tobiasbillstrom.se]

Tobias Lennart Billström (born December 27, 1973 in Malmö) is a Swedish politician currently serving as Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy in the Swedish government. Billström, a member of the Moderate Party, has been a Member of Parliament since 2002 representing Malmö Municipality (seat 122). Due to Billström's duties as a minister, his seat in the parliament is currently occupied by his replacement, Staffan Appelros. [ [http://www.riksdagen.se/webbnav/index.aspx?nid=1111&iid=0956595590924 Riksdag: Tobias Billström (m)] (accessed on July 14, 2007) sv icon] Billström was a member of the Parliamentary Committee for Social Insurance, and has also been Moderate Party spokesperson for migration and integration. He is chairman for the Moderate Party in Malmö.

Billström has a Master's degree in history and political science from Lund University, and a Master's degree in Historical studies from University of Cambridge. [ [http://www.tobiasbillstrom.com/filer/CV.eng.pdf Curriculum vitae of Tobias Billström] (PDF-file) en icon] Billström was appointed as Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy on October 6, 2006 in the centre-right cabinet led by Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.

At the age of age|1973|12|27, Billström is the youngest member of the cabinet. He is also the first openly bisexual person to serve as minister in a Swedish cabinet.

TV license controversy

On October 11, 2006, less than a week after he took office, it was revealed that Billström deliberately had neglected to pay his television licence for ten years, despite owning a television. Billström stated that his neglect was based on his political standpoint against public service, but that he had come to appreciate public service and that he believed that citizens and especially legislators should follow the law. Billström also expressed his ambition to repay his debt with interest. [ [http://www.svd.se/dynamiskt/inrikes/did_13837467.asp Fler ministrar betalar inte licens] sv icon, Svenska Dagbladet, October 11, 2006.] However, on October 12, 2006 Radiotjänst i Kiruna AB, a private agency tasked with collecting the license fees, filed criminal charges against Billström together with two other ministers in the Reinfeldt Cabinet: Cecilia Stegö Chilò and Maria Borelius, [ [http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=5202&date=20061013 Ministers reported to police for unpaid TV licences] en icon, The Local, October 13, 2006.] with the latter two resigning on October 14 and October 16, 2006. Billström has stated that he intends to remain in office and has no intention of resigning. [ [http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1042&a=581253&previousRenderType=6 "Jag tänker inte avgå"] , Dagens Nyheter, October 17, 2006 sv icon]

References

External links

* [http://www.tobiasbillstrom.com/ Officiell website] sv icon
* [http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/7385 Tobias Billström] at the Government Offices website sv icon
* [http://www.riksdagen.se/webbnav/index.aspx?nid=1111&iid=0956595590924 Tobias Billström] at the Riksdag website sv icon
* [http://www.attachinformation.com/politiskt/index.asp?sort=1&person=22 Billström's blog] (inactive) sv icon

Persondata
NAME=Billström, Tobias
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Billstrom, Tobias (English)
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Politician
DATE OF BIRTH=December 27, 1973
PLACE OF BIRTH=Malmö, Sweden
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=

Persondata
NAME=Billström, Tobias
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Swedish politician
DATE OF BIRTH=December 27, 1973
PLACE OF BIRTH=Malmö, Sweden