SWEDEN-REFERENDUM: Two Days Before EU Vote And Swedes Are Undecided

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Greg McIvor

STOCKHOLM, Nov 11 1994 (IPS) - The fate of Sweden’s bid to join the European Union (EU) hung in the balance Friday, just two days before an historic referendum on the issue.

One opinion poll showed the Yes and No sides literally neck and neck, with one in five voters still undecided how to vote. Another survey gave the Yes lobby a slender three-point lead but few pollsters were prepared to predict the outcome.

Sunday’s plebiscite — seen as Sweden’s most important decision in modern times — will decide whether Scandinavia’s biggest country follows Austria and Nordic neighbour Finland as new recruits to the 12-nation union.

Some 1.3 million of Sweden’s 6.5 million eligible voters have yet to make up their minds, according to Friday’s polls.

Observers say the indecision reflects deep ambivalence over the merits of membership. The Yes side, supported by the political and industrial establishment, is stressing the economic advantages of membership of an organisation committed to free trade and growth.

But many of those who are considering voting No are reacting against what they perceive as an business-led project which benefits big companies rather than people. There is also concern over the possible lowering of food purity and environmental standards under EU free competition laws if Sweden joins.

Others are worried over the ceding of important powers — such as control over agricultural and regional policy — to the EU headquarters in Brussels, and the union’s relative secrecy.

Sweden has extensive freedom of information laws which even allow citizens access to the prime minister’s personal correspondence. Under EU law, all Sweden’s dealings with the union would be subject to strict secrecy requirements.

Many of the undecided voters are women, reflecting deep-rooted fears that membership will lead to deterioration in Sweden’s vaunted welfare system.

Many believe the EU’s strict economic convergence criteria for the introduction of an eventual common monetary policy will force the Swedish government to deflate and radically cut social services.

“We are not saying No to Swedish cooperation in Europe,” said Per Garhton, a prominent campaigner on the anti-EU side. “We are opposed to this co-operation being organised…by creating a new European superpower.”