Country labelled the ‘safest place on Earth’ became a terror target

With its bustling pavements and elegant shops, Stockholm has come to be seen as one of Europe’s most peaceful and developed cities.

For decades, the Swedish way of politics – based on fair wealth redistribution, a welfare state with generous benefits, a large public sector and a liberal immigration policy – has been put forward as a role model for other countries.

Pundits and politicians have described Sweden as ‘the safest place on Earth’ and it has barely suffered from terrorist attacks.

Indeed, the last incident of note came in 2010 when a failed suicide bomber blew himself up in central Stockholm.

But yesterday’s killings come two months after US President Donald Trump was ridiculed around the world for making reference to a non-existent terror attack in the country.

His outspoken remarks, in which he also said Sweden was ‘having problems like they never thought possible’, drew a wave of international criticism.

But it prompted renewed debate over Sweden’s refugee policy, which has seen it described as ‘the most welcoming country in the world’.

Source: How Stockholm became a terror attack target | Daily Mail Online