Joakim Palme on his father's assassination: 'A long and painful process'

Joakim Palme, the eldest son of assassinated Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, has spoken on Utøya about his father's political legacy, 40 years after the event that shook Sweden. Palme, 68, drew a stark connection between the hatred directed at his father, contemporary far-right movements, and the threats currently facing politicians.

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We cannot become primitive in the face of extremism.

Speaking at the site of the 2011 terror attacks, Palme described Utøya as a place that embodies both the deepest darkness of political violence and the possibility of reclaiming the community and ideals that violence sought to destroy. He reflected on his own childhood, marked by threats against his father and family. "It was obvious to us that there were threats, and I remember sometimes being afraid," he stated. While his father was not overtly fearful, Palme recalled his father experiencing panic when considering his family's safety.

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It was obvious to us that there were threats, and I remember sometimes being afraid.

Palme emphasized the need to confront extremism without resorting to similar primitive tactics. His reflections highlight the enduring impact of political violence and the ongoing struggle to uphold democratic values against hate and extremism.

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But when he thought about the family, he felt panic.