Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
POLITICAL ASSASSINATION
In September 2003, as Swedes prepared to hold a public referendum on adopting the
euro
,
the nation was thrown into shock by the
murder
of the former foreign minister,
Anna Lindh
,
one of Sweden's most popular politicians, who was tipped to become the country's first
female prime minister. Lindh was stabbed repeatedly by a man with a history of psychiatric
problems whilst she was out shopping; she later died of massive internal bleeding.
Mijailo
Mijailovic
, born in Sweden to Serbian parents, is now serving a life sentence for her murder.
Sweden today
Sweden's export-led
economy
has rendered the country extremely susceptible to
changes in world finances. As globalization has gathered momentum since the turn of
the millennium, Sweden has faced a number of difficult choices which would have
been unthinkable during the heady days of Social Democracy. Privatizations, mergers
and general cost-cutting measures within the much-cherished welfare state have
brought Sweden more into line with countries that went through equally painful
economic change decades ago. Some economists argue it is this enforced shaking up of
the business environment from outside, rather than any direct government measures,
that is responsible for Sweden's improved economic fortunes since 1998 - although
unemployment
remains stubbornly above government targets.
The perceived bungling of aid to Swedes caught up in the Indian Ocean
tsunami
disaster
in December 2004 cost Persson dear in September 2006 when he lost the
general election to the Conservative Fredrik Reinfeldt, who slashed the welfare state
even further over the next few years in an attempt to stimulate the economy and create
jobs. More recently, Sweden has found itself at the centre of the scandal surrounding
Julian Assange
, the founder of the media website, Wikileaks. Wanted for questioning
by Swedish police over sexual assault charges, a court ruling in 2011 cleared the way for
Assange's extradition to Sweden. The case has brought the Swedish legal system to the
world's attention amid claims that Sweden's rape laws would not hold water in an
international court of law.
2006
2009
2011
Deep cuts to Sweden's extensive
welfare state to boost economy
Sale of Volvo to Chinese
confirmed
Wikileaks' Julian Assange to be
extradited to Sweden
