Social Democratic EU-critics are back

The organisation Social Democratic EU-critics, or SEUK for short, have keept a low profile recently. If I remember correctly they sort of deactivated in late 2002 in order to put all their strenght into winning the EMU-referendum. Instead, their members took part in a broader Social Democratic campaign called "Socialdemokrater mot EMU".

SEUK is not withdrawalist, but since they are viewed as the lineal descendant of the Social Democratic No-Campaign of 1994, they are somewhat controversial within their party. The re-organisation during the EMU-campaign was probably a good idea. But now they are back, and they seem to be quite busy working for a referendum on the Constitution.

SEUK have usually been an efficient low-budget operation, and their main focus have traditionally been in campaigning within their party, so don't expect their website to get an English version soon.

Anyway, SEUK has a new board since March 6:th. Some names are new and some are familiar. Prominent economist professor Sören Wibe, MP is back in his old role as Chairman.

The Zombie walks again!

The Swedish equivalent of Britain in Europe, Sverige i Europa, have updated their website. They have been very silent since June, but reactivated on February 17:th. More on this later.

Yet another sign that Sweden is heading for a referendum.

ICTY judge welcomes a referendum

Swedish judge Krister Thelin of the Hague Tribunal, or as it's also called, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, had a nice column in Svenska Dagbladet yesterday. (Pdf in swedish.)

Krister Thelin argues in favour of the Constitution, claims the EU is a peace project, and seems very confident that the Yes-side could win. Basically he says that frienda of the EU should welcome a referendum, regardless of whether they are federalists or not. If there is no referendum in Sweden, that is going to be used as "a weapon in the hands of the blueredgren negativists." Well, he's sure right about that one.

According to Thelin, it was a huge mistake that Sweden ever held a referendum on the EMU, but the EU-Constitution is quite another thing. The fact that the Yes-parties got burned in 2003 is not a good argument not to hold a referendum now. "Lack of faith in their pedagogic ability..." and "the fact that there within the Yes-parties are significant opinons in support of a No, is not a sufficient reason to hide and cover behind the formal representativity of the Riksdag..."

Hear.

The Editor

Max Andersson has been involved in the eurosceptic movement since 1992.
He is a former Chairman of Youth Against EU, and has served three years on the Green Youth NEC. During 2001 he was a Spokesman for GBG2001 - for a different Europe.

Today Max Andersson is a Councillor in the West Sweden Regional Assembly, chairman of the Gothenburg Green Party, and Spokesman for the Green Student organisation, Gröna Studenter.

Max Andersson is also heading the Riksdag list of the Gothenburg Greens for 2006.

Denmark votes!

EUobserver reports that Denmark will have its first referendum on the EU-constitution on September 27:th. That's a Tuesday.

Copenhagen is wonderful in September.

(EUobserver forgot to mention that the Danish Green Party is against the Constitution. The same goes for the Christian Democrats.)