Scandinavian countries have a reputation for being reasonable and consensual. But that doesn't exempt them from the tensions and frustrations that can give rise to extremist groups, to the right of the traditional right-wing parties. In Norway and Denmark (the country where in 2006 the famous caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed were published), populist parties peddling anti-Islam rhetoric are now respectively the second and third-largest political groups nationally. In Sweden, a xenophobic party which is a direct outgrowth of the Nazi movement has a strong chance of winning seats in the next legislative election due on September 19. And in Finland, traditionally less open to foreigners, immigration has become one of the major political issues, in a debate fueled by a party that plays on mistrust of Muslims. All these developments reflect a sometimes troubled past in this region.