Olof Palme
Published
Olof Palme was Sweden’s Prime Minister for almost 11 years in all. He was primarily known for his international engagement, but in domestic policy he was also a driving force behind state financial aid for studies and universal parental insurance. Olof Palme was shot to death on 28 February 1986.
Olof Palme was Sweden's Prime Minister from 1969 to 1976 and from 1982 to 1986. Prior to this, he was a minister without portfolio from 1963 to 1965, Minister for Communications from 1965 to 1967, Minister of Education and Ecclesiastical Affairs from September to December 1967 and, when the Ministry of Education and Ecclesiastical Affairs changed its name to the Ministry of Education, he was Minister of Education from 1968 to 1969.
Olof Palme was a driving force behind the introduction of state financial aid for studies in 1964, even prior to succeeding Tage Erlander as Prime Minister. As Prime Minister, he implemented the Employment (Co-determination in the Workplace) Act and the Act on universal parental leave.
However, Olof Palme was best known for his foreign policy. He distinguished himself by his relations with developing countries and his sharp criticism of the United States' involvement in the Viet Nam war.
Olof Palme was shot dead on Sveavägen in central Stockholm on 28 February 1986.
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