(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – People in Sweden are turning their backs on the idea of joining the eurozone, and with a legislative election due in September, politicians are steering clear of any discussions on whether the krona should be abandoned.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – People in Sweden are turning their backs on the idea of joining the eurozone, and with a legislative election due in September, politicians are steering clear of any discussions on whether the krona should be abandoned.
A survey concluded on the first day of June finds that three-in-five Swedes (61%) are opposed to their country’s adoption of the euro as the national currency. The findings show a 17-point increase in the anti-euro camp since May 2009. In fact, as recently as December 2009, it seemed like a new referendum on the euro would be tightly contested.
Sweden is one of three European Union (EU) members—along with Britain and Denmark—that did not adopt the euro in January 2002. In September 2003, 56 per cent of Swedish voters rejected the euro in a nationwide referendum.
Neither of the two competing factions in Sweden is eager to jump into the pro-euro bandwagon, particularly after the recent Greek crisis. Swedish Prime Minister and Moderate Rally Party (M) leader Fredrik Reinfeldft was particularly critical of the European Commission’s plan to review the budgets of all member states.
A recent survey in Poland also showed skepticism about the euro, but nowhere near the level of outright rejection that is manifest in Britain.
