Olof Palme was
born in Stockholm, Sweden, on 30th January,
1927. While studying at the University of Stockholm he joined the
Social Democratic Labour Party (SAP). In 1952 he became president
of the United Students Union in Sweden.
Palme went to
work as secretary to Tage Erlander, the prime minister of Sweden.
In 1955 he became leader of the Social Democratic Labour Party youth
movement. The
following year he was elected to the Riksdag. Over the next few years
he held several ministerial posts including Minister of Communications
and Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs.
Palme became prime
minister in 1969. Although he lost his parliamentary majority in 1971
he managed to carry out major constitutional reforms. In 1976 he was
defeated over his plans to increase taxes to pay for Sweden's welfare
state.
In 1980 Palme
was asked by the United Nations to be the
arbitrator in the war between Iran and Iraq. He was not successful
in this mission but his international reputation benefited from his
efforts to achieve peace in the region.
Palme returned
to power in 1982. However, on 28th February, 1986, Olof Palme was
shot dead while walking home with his wife after a visit to a cinema.
Viktor Gunnarsson
was arrested for the murder but was later released without charge.
Christer Pettersson was the next suspect and he was found guilty on
27th July 1989. This sentenced was quashed on 2nd November 1989 by
the Swedish Court of Civil and Criminal Appeal Board.
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