Meerderheid Zweeds parlement tegen arbeidsmarkt-beperkingen voor arbeiders uit nieuwe lidstaten (en)

A rare coalition of parties in the Swedish parliament - the Riksdagen - has joined together to try and defeat the government's proposal to restrict access to its labour market for citizens of new EU member states.

According to an agreement presented today (2 April), a majority in the parliament opposes the government's proposal.

Six parties, which do not usually agree on policy have formed this blocking majority: the Conservatives (Moderaterna), the Christian Democrats (Kristdemokraterna), the Liberals (Folkpartiet), the Centre Party (Centerpartiet), the Greens (Miljöpartiet) and the Left Party (Vänsterpartiet).

This leaves the ruling social democrat party as the sole supporter of labour market restrictions.

"This is very unusual and very interesting, because it shows that the government has no party to reach a compromise with", Mauricio Rojas MP of the Liberal Party told Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter.

The government must now either support another party's motion or find itself outvoted in the parliament.

The second alternative may be the more likely option, according to Mr Rojas because the government could then later absolve itself from blame if problems occur after enlargement.

The parliament will vote on the government's bill on 28 April.