Stockholm: The Swedish Academy, which awards the Nobel Literature Prize, appointed a new head on Friday as a sexual harrassment scandal rocked the prestigious institution. Two members, including permanent secretary Sara Danius, resigned on Thursday over a controversy that has divided the Academy into two camps. The scandal centres on allegations by 18 women that they had been subject to harassment and physical abuse by Jean-Claude Arnault, the French husband of Academy member Katarina Frostenson. He denies the allegations.
Anders Olsson, a writer and professor of literature, said on SR radio that he had been appointed to the post on a "temporary basis." Danius, the first women to head the Swedish Academy since its founding in 1786, said on Thursday: "It is the Academy's wish that I leave my post as permanent secretary." "I would have liked to have continued but there are other things to do in life." She said she was also leaving the Academy. Technically, the Academy's 18 members are appointed for life and cannot resign, but they can choose not to participate in the Academy's meetings and decisions.