resolved an old debate on local taxes with a law on proportional taxation, which is still in effect to this day. He also concluded a sweeping reform of the school system. In the 1928 elections the conservative General Electoral League won, and he was forced to give up power to Arvid Lindman. Ekman returned as Prime Minister in 1930, when he and Per Albin Hansson defeated the government's proposal to raise tariffs on grain. His second period as Prime Minister was difficult; the international depression that had begun after the Wall Street Crash of 1929 reached Sweden, affecting both industry and agriculture. Ekman's traditional attitude of thriftiness made it difficult for him to accept economic-stimulation programs that would involve heavy public spending. In addition to this, a debate began after the Kreuger Crash about political contributions from Ivar Kreuger which Ekman had personally accepted on behalf of his party. At first Ekman denied having received any such money, but in the end the public debate forced him to resign from office a month before the Riksdag election of 1932, which resulted in a great defeat for the Freeminded People's Party. Ekman never returned to politics. Less than two years after his resignation, his party was also gone; it merged with the Liberal Party to form the Liberal People's Party (Folkpartiet liberalerna). Not even his enemies thought that he had actually taken money for himself; nevertheless his conflicting statements on the matter enabled others to cast suspicion on him, so that a formidable political opponent could be removed. Ekman's legacy has been colored to a great extent by his political maneuvering as well as by the scandal leading to his resignation; this does not do justice to his result-oriented policies during an anxious period when no lasting political majority could be formed. He died in Stockholm on 15 June 1945. He was married to Laura Ekman (née Widlund), with whom he had four children. References External links 1872 births 1945 deaths People from Köping Municipality Liberal Party of Sweden politicians Free-minded National Association politicians Members of the Riksdag Prime Ministers of Sweden Swedish Ministers for Finance Leaders of political parties in Sweden Great Depression in Sweden