Olof Palme, 26th Prime Minister of Sweden, is assassinated in Stockholm.

Olof Palme: A Pivotal Figure in Swedish and International Politics

Sven Olof Joachim Palme, born on January 30, 1927, was a towering figure in Swedish and international politics whose life was tragically cut short on February 28, 1986. A prominent Swedish politician and statesman, Palme served two impactful terms as Prime Minister of Sweden, first from 1969 to 1976, and again from 1982 until his assassination in 1986. He also led the Swedish Social Democratic Party throughout these periods, becoming a defining voice for the party and the nation.

The Ascent of a Social Democrat

Palme’s journey into the highest echelons of Swedish politics was closely linked to his mentor, the long-serving Prime Minister Tage Erlander. As Erlander's protégé, Palme absorbed the intricacies of governance and party leadership, eventually succeeding him as Prime Minister in 1969. He then headed a Privy Council Government, marking a new era for Sweden. However, his initial tenure came to an end after the 1976 general election, when he failed to form a government. This election was a watershed moment, as it broke 40 years of unbroken rule by the Social Democratic Party, shifting the political landscape.

Years in Opposition and Global Engagement

During his time as Leader of the Opposition, Palme did not retreat from the public eye or significant global responsibilities. His stature as an experienced statesman led him to serve as a special mediator for the United Nations during the devastating Iran–Iraq War, a role that underscored his commitment to peace and international diplomacy. In 1979, he also held the prestigious position of President of the Nordic Council, further cementing his influence in regional cooperation. Despite facing another electoral defeat in 1979, Palme's resilience and political acumen saw him return to power following significant victories in the 1982 and 1985 general elections, serving once again as Prime Minister until his untimely death.

A Polarizing Voice on the World Stage

From the 1960s onward, Olof Palme was a genuinely pivotal and often polarizing figure, both domestically in Sweden and across the international political arena. He was a staunch advocate for his non-alignment policy, maintaining Sweden's independence from the major superpowers of the Cold War era. This stance was accompanied by his vocal and, at times, controversial support for numerous liberation movements that emerged in the wake of decolonization. He extended economic and diplomatic backing to a number of Third World governments, notably becoming the first Western head of government to visit Cuba after its revolution, where he delivered a speech in Santiago praising the contemporary Cuban revolutionaries.

Palme was an outspoken critic of both United States and Soviet foreign policy, consistently challenging what he perceived as imperialist ambitions and authoritarian regimes. His condemnations spanned a wide spectrum of leaders and systems, including Francisco Franco of Spain, Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, António de Oliveira Salazar of Portugal, and Gustáv Husák of Czechoslovakia. Perhaps most notably, he fiercely denounced the apartheid system in South Africa, calling it a "particularly gruesome system," and heavily criticized its leaders, John Vorster and P. W. Botha.

One of Palme’s most controversial international moments came in 1972, when he delivered a blistering condemnation of American bombings in Hanoi. He controversially compared these bombings to a litany of historical crimes and atrocities, including the bombing of Guernica, the massacres of Oradour-sur-glane, Babi Yar, Katyn, Lidice, and Sharpeville, and the extermination of Jews and other groups at Treblinka. This comparison resulted in a temporary but significant freeze in diplomatic relations between Sweden and the United States, highlighting Palme's unwavering commitment to his moral principles, even when it came at a high political cost.

The Assassination and Its Aftermath

The night of Friday, February 28, 1986, changed Sweden forever. At approximately 23:21 CET (22:21 UTC), Olof Palme, the sitting Prime Minister of Sweden, was fatally wounded by a single gunshot while walking home from a cinema with his wife, Lisbeth Palme, on the central Stockholm street Sveavägen. The couple, unusually for a head of government, was without bodyguards at the time. Lisbeth Palme was also slightly wounded by a second shot. Palme's assassination marked the first murder of a national leader in Sweden since King Gustav III in 1792, and its impact resonated deeply across all of Scandinavia, plunging the region into shock and national mourning.

The immediate aftermath saw an intense police investigation. In 1988, local convict and addict Christer Pettersson was initially convicted of the murder after being identified by Mrs. Palme. However, this conviction was unanimously overturned by the Svea Court of Appeal upon appeal. A subsequent petition for a new trial, filed by the prosecutor, was denied by the Supreme Court of Sweden. Christer Pettersson died on September 29, 2004, legally declared not guilty of the Palme assassination, leaving the case unresolved for decades.

The 2020 Conclusion and Lingering Questions

On June 10, 2020, chief prosecutor Krister Petersson, who had taken charge of the long-running investigation, announced what he presented as its conclusion. He identified Stig Engström, also known as the "Skandia Man," as the most likely suspect in Palme’s murder. While no direct evidence linking Engström to the shooting was presented, the prosecutor cited Engström's past knowledge of weapons, his association with anti-Palme circles, and the fact that his clothing matched descriptions given by certain witnesses. However, since Stig Engström had committed suicide on June 26, 2000, no further investigative or judicial measures were possible, and the authorities officially closed the investigation into Palme's death.

This decision to name Engström as the suspect, and the subsequent closure of the investigation, was met with widespread criticism from various quarters, including lawyers, police officers, and journalists. Many decried the evidence presented as largely circumstantial and too weak to ensure a conviction had the suspect still been alive to stand trial. Despite the official closure, numerous different theories about the murder continue to be proposed and debated, reflecting the profound and lasting mystery surrounding Olof Palme’s assassination.

Frequently Asked Questions About Olof Palme

Who was Olof Palme?
Olof Palme was a prominent Swedish politician and statesman who twice served as the Prime Minister of Sweden, from 1969 to 1976 and from 1982 to 1986. He also led the Swedish Social Democratic Party during these periods.
When did Olof Palme first become Prime Minister?
He first became Prime Minister in 1969, succeeding his mentor Tage Erlander.
What were Olof Palme's key political stances?
Palme was known for his steadfast non-alignment policy for Sweden, his strong support for liberation movements and Third World governments, and his vocal criticism of both superpowers and authoritarian regimes worldwide, including the apartheid regime in South Africa.
How did Olof Palme die?
He was assassinated by a single gunshot on February 28, 1986, while walking home from a cinema with his wife in central Stockholm. The case remained unsolved for decades.
Who was identified as the likely suspect in his murder?
In 2020, chief prosecutor Krister Petersson identified Stig Engström, known as the "Skandia Man," as the most likely suspect. However, due to Engström's death in 2000, the investigation was closed without a trial, and this conclusion has faced considerable criticism.