Anna Lindh remembered by politicians at home and abroad
Tributes are being paid to the Swedish Foreign Minister, who died in hospital this morning after being stabbed yesterday by an unidentified assailant.
Anna Lindh was attacked as she shopped in a Stockholm department store. As is often the custom in Sweden where public figures frequently have an easy and open relationship with the public, she was not accompanied by a bodyguard.
Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson today remembered Ms Lindh as a politician who was well respected outside of her home country.
‘She managed to bring our message across not only Europe but also the rest of the world,’ he said at a press conference.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw described the killing of Anna Lindh as an ‘appalling event.’
‘Anna was a good friend of mine. She had the extraordinary ability to balance the demands of one of the most active of Europe’s foreign ministers with her role as one of the leading Swedish politicians and that of being somebody completely committed to her family.’
Ms Lindh was a prominent member of the ‘yes’ campaign to bring the European single currency to Sweden, a referendum for which was due to be held at the weekend.
Although campaigning for the referendum has now been suspended, the Swedish Prime Minister has stated that Sunday’s vote is to go ahead.
A service of remembrance for Ms Lindh is to be held tonight in Uppsala Cathedral.
