Terror expert Magnus Ranstorp calls it a security nightmare. – A perfect storm.
Police from all over Sweden and from Norway and Denmark will help to keep peace and order during Eurovision. The threat level in Sweden is the second highest. And the Gaza war has led to fierce polarization before the final.Photo: Johan Nilsson, TT/Reuters/NTB
Gaza protests and an increased threat level in Sweden lead to extra security measures around the Eurovision final in Malmö next week.
The summary is created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and quality assured by Aftenposten’s journalists.
Short version is for subscribers only
A lot has changed since Sweden won Eurovision last year. Malmö wanted to repeat the success from 2013 and again agreed to host the international final. The musical powerhouse Sweden was to throw a party for over 160 million viewers and 100,000 visitors.
But after Loreen won in Liverpool last May, two things have changed the situation:
The threat level in Sweden has been raised to the second highest level. Disinformation campaigns have, for example, described Sweden as an Islamophobic country. The security police fear violent Islamist extremists.
The Gaza war has caused violent protests against Israel’s participation in the song contest. It has a very special meaning in a city like Malmö.
