The first cabinet of Olof Palme was the cabinet and government of Sweden from 14 October 1969 to 8 October 1976. Swedish politics during the reign of this cabinet was eventful. During this period, a wave of major strikes broke out and the IB affair, a covert domestic espionage program perpetrated by the state was uncovered. The Norrmalmstorg robbery and subsequent hostage situation took place in 1973, and two years later the West German Embassy siege occurred.