meddläggande

Meddläggande is a Swedish noun that refers to the act of meddling or interfering in someone else’s affairs or in processes, often in a way that is unwelcome or inappropriate. The term carries a negative or critical connotation and is commonly used in everyday language, journalism, and political discourse to describe unsolicited involvement that can disrupt decision-making, negotiations, or administration.

In practice, meddläggande describes individuals, groups, or institutions that insert themselves into matters outside their legitimate remit to influence outcomes, without being invited to participate or lacking formal authority. It can take forms such as public critique, informal pressure, or attempts to steer procedures behind the scenes. A closely related concept is inblandning or ingripande, but meddläggande emphasizes unwanted interference rather than authorized participation.

Meddläggande is typically contrasted with legitimate consultation, stakeholder engagement, or due process, which are transparent, voluntary, and procedurally grounded. In media and public debate, accusations of meddläggande are used to critique actors who overstep boundaries.

Examples: "Politikerernas meddläggande i byråkratins beslut väckte kritik." "Företaget beskylls för meddläggande i fackförhandlingarna."

Note that the term is informal and context-dependent; in formal legal or administrative language, more precise terms like inblandning, ingripande, eller påverkan används.