| Author (Person) | Bower, Helen |
|---|---|
| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning |
| Series Title | In Focus |
| Series Details | 17.09.02 |
| Publication Date | 17/09/2002 |
| Content Type | Topic Guide | In Focus |
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The Swedish Social Democratic Party, led by Goeran Persson, will serve a third successive four year term in office after claiming a comfortable victory in the country's general election on 15 September 2002. Despite opinion polls ahead of the election suggesting that it would be a closely fought battle, the Social Democratic Party won 40% of the vote with the main centre right opposition party, the Moderates, losing half of their voters and only claiming 14% of the total vote. With the lowest turnout (79%) for a national election since 1944, it was the small centre-right Liberal Party that had the most to celebrate of the opposition parties - nearly trebling its share of the vote after focusing on immigration and the integration of foreigners in its campaign. However the majority of Swedes decided more public spending and better welfare were more important than tax cuts or immigration polices. The success of the Social Democrats is notable because it breaks the recent trend of rightwing victories in other European countries beginning with Denmark in November 2001 and continuing in Portugal, France and the Netherlands. The Swedish Social Democrats who have been in power for 61 of the last 70 years will now begin talks with the Left and Green Parties to ensure that they have enough power in the Parliament to govern. However, Persson is unlikely to grant either party with a seat in government because both parties oppose the country's membership of the European Union. Indeed, the biggest challenge facing the new government will be convincing the nation of the benefits of joining the single European currency. According to the Norwegian newspaper, Aftenposten, the returning Prime Minister has indicated that a date for a referendum on the euro will be set before the end of 2002 with many expecting it to take place in Autumn 2003. The latest EMU opinion poll suggests that 44% of Swedish citizens would support the country's membership of the euro with 37% opposed. On the basis of a YES vote, Persson has indicated that the EMU would be in place in Sweden throughout 2005, and the euro would replace the Swedish krona from January 1 2006. |
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| Countries / Regions | Sweden |
