Zweedse parlement tegen gekozen EU-president (en)

With a majority of 159 votes against 120, the Swedish Parliament late Thursday (20 November) decided to oppose the draft EU constitution on one important point.

The future European Union Council should not have a president elected by the member states, the majority of Swedish MPs decided after nine hours of debate.

Such a new position would be too powerful and end as a tool in the hands of the big member states, fear the majority of MPs.

Instead, the Swedes want to keep the current system of presidencies rotating between member states. The European Union, they feel, must also keep the current system of one Commissioner with full voting rights per member state.

The ruling Social Democrat party supported the new post of permanent Council President, but must now follow the majority in the Parliament and try to negotiate a result in the current intergovernmental discussions on the Consitution that reflects the decision.

However, the conservative party Moderaterne and the Liberal Folkepartiet have indicated that they do not want to see the whole Constitution package fall just over this issue.

Foreign Affairs Minister Laila Freivalds said after the debate to Svenska Dagbladet: "I hope the Parliament can provide me with some very strong arguments to help me to convince the other 24 countries during negotiations that they are wrong. I promise to do my utmost".

Proposals to hold a referendum in Sweden on the future European Constitution were supported by MPs from across the political landscape but did not gain a majority.