Meerderheid Zweden voor referendum EU-grondwet (en)

A majority of Swedes would like to have a say on the EU Constitution which is expected to be adopted by EU leaders in June.

According to a TEMO poll published by Sydsvenska Dagbladet, 52 per cent said they wanted a referendum on the Constitution, while 43 per cent wanted to leave the decision to the Swedish Parliament, Riksdagen.

Support for a referendum to decide this matter has grown dramatically over the past half year.

In the autumn, a similar poll showed that only 27 per cent wanted a referendum, while 64 per cent said the MPs in the Parliament should make the decision.

This is bad news for Prime Minister Persson and the majority in the Parliament which refused to hold a referendum on the future EU Constitution. Only the Swedish Green Party and the Left Party want to consult the people on the issue.

Referendums on the Constitution are expected to be held in at least eight of the 25 EU member states: the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.