There is a strongly recommended survival plan for those who work alongside Göran Persson, Sweden's physically imposing, 6ft-tall prime minister. Stig-Bjorn Ljunggren, a renowned political commentator, recalls: "He once went up to a reporter who was, shall we say, short and overweight. In a very intimidating way, Mr Persson said: 'Hey, how much are you weighing these days, then, eh?'

"Everybody took a step back. But the reporter just looked at him and said: 'About half your weight.'" Mr Persson, who has become visibly bulkier during his 10 years in power, sidled off, deflated. "You have to come back at him in the same way and attack him," Mr Ljunggren said.