Seeking political solution to the rioting and violence in Stockholm, Stefan Löfven ask the key question: What is the cause?

Saturday, 25 May 2013

One of the few politicians who visited Husby, the epicentre of the rioting that started last week is the leader of the opposition, Social Democratic party, Stefan Löfven (picture below). He went there to try to understand the troubles that have led to this  and started by asking the question "what are the causes of this disdain."

Speaking to radio Sweden on Saturday morning, the politician whose party is currently leading in the opinion polls started by saying that "the key is to find out why these kinds of anger arise. That's why I went to Husby, to talk with people there. I met about seven people."

Husby is one of many disadvantaged neighbourhoods and suburbs in Sweden with high unemployment and young people who cannot manage the school system. But it's still not the most vulnerable area in the country, thus the question continues to hang on as to why the disturbances erupt and has persisted since last week when a 69 years old man of immigrant background was shot dead by the police.

Therefore, Stefan Löfven agrees that the question as to why Husby, went on fire even though there are places which are worse with unemployed and with school leavers without passing the grades, is difficult to answer.

"The problem is long-term unemployment. We have a problem in Sweden with increased income inequality," he says though also acknowledging that holistically, the analysis could show other factors.
"I have not had time to do any in-depth analysis of why. Some are surprised and thought maybe it could happen elsewhere. But I can say that we have social problems in Sweden as a whole."
However, social problems in neighbourhoods in Husby and similar ones are not a new phenomenon. Even when the Social Democrats were in office - in the Stockholm City Hall, and the government - there were major social problems.
He replied that: "I'm the first to admit that not everything was perfect during the Social Democratic leadership either. But political messages are important right now to let the disenfranchised know that community is there for them. They should take their responsibility, go to school, not to run around and burn cars.... But we will help," says Social Democratic party, leader Stefan Löfven, to radio Sweden.
By Scancomark.com Team