tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-103107082011-10-15T14:55:07.000+02:00Swedish anti-EU politics. News and information in English.Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.comBlogger381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1158851841813630202006-09-21T16:37:00.000+02:002006-11-22T19:25:32.310+01:00

The votes have been counted, and I will become a member of the Swedish Parliament when it opens on October 2:nd. If you ask me how it feels, the answer is: "Pretty wonderful."Unfortunately, the red-green alliance that has been in power these last eight years has lost the election, and the Green Party will now be part of the opposition. That's bad, but it will leave me more time to campaign

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1158562370716199382006-09-18T08:36:00.000+02:002006-09-20T00:57:06.900+02:00

Unfortunately, the right wing Alliance has won yesterday's election. Sweden will now get a new government, even more europhile than the one before. After twelve years in government the Socialdemocrats were tired. They didn't manage to present their vision and they failed to get their supporters to the polls. On the other hand the Green Party got a good result and we increased our vote. In

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1149073090177622202006-05-31T12:49:00.000+02:002006-05-31T12:58:10.196+02:00

I have started a new blog in Swedish to keep me busy before the election.Max Andersson - En EU-motståndare på väg till riksdagen.

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1142942098172570332006-03-21T12:27:00.000+01:002006-03-21T13:26:46.223+01:00

This blog, irregularly up-dated at best, will take a pause until the 17:th of September, when I'll be blogging the count of Election Night.It seems I have been put on top of the Green Party list in Gothenburg, which means that I have a pretty good chance of entering parliament this autumn. It also means I have a fair amount of campaigning to do. I'll be campaigning on a strong message in favour

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1137608724913091502006-01-18T17:31:00.000+01:002006-01-18T21:12:13.030+01:00

In polls on EU-politics the phrasing of the question can have a tremendous effect on the outcome. Recently the Eurobarometer found that 38% of the Finns considered EU-membership a good thing, while only 22% considered it bad. On the face of it, that seems pretty conclusive. But another poll at the same time found that the Finns would have voted no in a referendum on EU-membership and that only

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1135269156766163372005-12-22T16:57:00.000+01:002006-01-18T17:30:56.303+01:00

Sweden has won yet another medal in the EU-wide competion about which country is to pay the most. Depending on how you count it, it's either the Gold or the Bronze. According to the latest figures, Sweden will pay net 130 € per capita every year, which is highest in the EU.However, if we compare the net contributions to BNI, Sweden only comes third. We're estimated to pay 0,37%, following France

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1135168224871878912005-12-21T13:13:00.000+01:002005-12-21T18:36:41.703+01:00

Deep in the dusty cellars of the Berlaymont, hidden from the world, lies the Constitutional Monstrosity, captive in a gigantic freezer. But will it remain thus forever?No, a mad German scientist, and her Portuguese henchman Igor Jose Socrates are planning to revive it and set it loose upon an unsuspecting world...Don't miss "THE RETURN OF THE CONSTITUTION!"Coming soon to a referendum near you

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1135123643685071172005-12-20T22:31:00.000+01:002005-12-21T18:39:54.586+01:00

The autumn report from Statistics Sweden has just arrived, and the news it contains is pretty much what one would have expected considering the impact of the Non and the Nee. We're moving in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go.The great news - EMU:Resistance to joining the EMU has increased and the eurosceptic lead had doubled, 49% is now against and only 36% in favour. I

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1134860677869238362005-12-17T23:32:00.000+01:002005-12-18T00:10:36.656+01:00

According to LO-tidningen (27/10) the majority of local officials in Swedens largest labour union now want to leave the EU. A statistical sample of 244 local officals were polled; and 57% of them backed withdrawal. Only 41% was against. This is big news, or it ought to be. Remember, we're talking elected officials here, not just ordinary members. Considering the close relationship between LO and

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1131037641387137092005-11-03T17:34:00.000+01:002005-12-17T21:34:10.386+01:00

Wanja Lundby Wedin, president of LO, Swedens national confederation of working class unions, today writes on EUobserver about the Waxholm case, critisizing commissioner McCreevy for his stand in the case. She's predictably upset, and I can recommend the article for its useful background info.The conclusion however, made me smile:But the EU is not just a market. It is also a community of values, a

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1130320999041961622005-10-26T11:25:00.000+02:002005-11-07T23:58:39.463+01:00

Once more, we return to the Vaxholm conflict. The Commission seems to have made up their minds and they're not backing down. What they don't realise is the effect this conflict is having in the Swedish labour movement. This is one of those rare things that is actually changing peoples minds.If the Commission wins, foreign companies won't have to comply with the rules on the Swedish labour market.

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1129499317137647622005-10-16T22:59:00.000+02:002005-10-16T23:58:49.666+02:00

Three different polls were presented this weekend, and they're definitely worth a mention.According to SIFO the June-list will get slightly more than 4% and hold the balance of power in the Riksdag. If you prefer to trust the Ruab institute the June-list will even get 4,8%.But according to another polling institute, Skop, they only have between one and two percent. And even that isn't so bad.

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1128370410074540882005-10-03T21:56:00.000+02:002005-12-17T21:40:24.643+01:00

The June List, the new Swedish eurosceptic party that made such a success in the EU-elections has today announced that they are going to stand in the elections to the Riksdag next September. The June List got 14% in the euros, and sit with Jens-Peder Bonde and UKIP in the EU-parliament. The June List is a single issue party with leading members from both sides of the political spectrum, but they

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1123267785901325082005-08-05T20:49:00.000+02:002005-10-06T14:26:36.683+02:00

I've recently been reading up on the trades magazine of the Swedish Traffic sector, Trafikforum. It's mostly boring stuff, but when swedish traffic politicians wish to impress their less knowledgable colleauges they qoute something from this magazine. The editor not only hates the Green Party, but he's also an old pro-EU campaigner.One thing that strikes me is that although there's enough

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1122997393949269332005-08-02T17:28:00.000+02:002005-08-06T22:47:19.456+02:00

It's been a while since the last post, but there's not much happening in Swedish politics during summer.But those who read Swedish should check-out Grönköpings Veckoblad's satire on the Constitutional debate.It's untranslatable and completely hilarious.

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1119487825474292622005-06-23T01:10:00.000+02:002005-08-06T22:52:46.813+02:00

Once upon a time there was a Swedish pro-euro campaign... Well, actually they were promoting something called the EMU, but they really weren't all that keen on making that distinction.This Yes-campaign had a number of arguments. Sort of. Not very good arguments as arguments go - but the first rule of politics is that if you don't have anything sensible to say you had better make something up. And

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1118972944585557142005-06-17T03:25:00.000+02:002005-12-17T21:57:15.883+01:00

Prime Minister Göran Persson has announced from Brussels that Sweden is not going to ratify the EU-constitution this autumn as planned. It is extremely unlikely to be ratified before the September 2006 elections. But it's not consigned to the thrash-can just yet.Göran Persson would still like to ratify it sometime in the future. He said about the EU-leaders:"Most of us are agreed that the

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1118971252529784582005-06-17T02:14:00.000+02:002005-12-17T21:59:46.400+01:00

Sweden's national bureau of statistics, SCB, or Statistics Sweden as it wants to be known in English, has released its new national party political poll. This is done twice yearly, more than 9000 people are queried, and it is considered the most reliable poll in Sweden.The results confirm that the Social Democrats and its partners are in for some very heavy lifting if we're going to win the

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1117819746326874012005-06-03T19:25:00.000+02:002005-12-17T21:43:48.660+01:00

The chairman of Transport, the Swedish transport workers union , Per Winberg was recently interviewed in No to EU's magazine Kritiska EU-Fakta (KEF). The fact that he was interviewed is no sensation in itself, since Transport have been a eurosceptic union for ages. They campaigned against the EMU and right now they are working for a referendum on the Constitution.But a leader of a major

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1117661392996821822005-06-01T22:20:00.000+02:002005-06-01T23:37:32.576+02:00

In Sweden the pro-EU parties are all arguing against a referendum, saying that the MPs are much more suitable than the ordinary voter to take such a complicated decision. The MPs are so much better informed.Yesterday, Swedish television aired a programme in which leading journalist Janne Josefsson went into the Riksdag and asked various MPs three quite simple questions about the Constitution.

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1117657114588796702005-06-01T22:03:00.000+02:002005-06-01T22:18:34.590+02:00

See the video of Swedish Left Party MEP Jonas Sjöstedt giving a great speech at the congress of the Dutch Socialist Party last Saturday.Just listen to the applause... This is what approaching victory sounds like.RESULTS:Turnout: 62%, Nee: 63%.

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1117527286877731762005-05-31T10:03:00.000+02:002005-05-31T10:14:46.906+02:00

In the first poll after the "grand Non" 65% of the Swedes now want a referendum on the Constitution. A mere 27% want the issue to be decided by the Riksdag, and most of those would probably want the issue to be decided after the elections next year. We are slowly winning this debate.But there is still a lot of uncertainty concerning the Constitution itself. Of the 1000 people polled 41% would

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1117414133874472452005-05-30T02:21:00.000+02:002005-05-30T02:48:56.266+02:00

The Green Party and No to EU joined forces in Gothenburg to celebrate the "grand NON" on Sunday 29:th!Both major Gothenburg papers met up with us at Poseidon´s Fountain, and GöteborgsPosten has already put a very nice article on-line.You can also watch the celebration in pictures, including some photos of yours truly illustrating that the Constitution is sunk...Our thanks and congratulations to

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1113243476416431232005-04-11T19:25:00.000+02:002005-04-12T22:05:55.750+02:00

As a result of the coalition negotiations in Estonia, it is now decided that our neighbors too will have a referendum.In Sweden, this will make the position of the Persson Government even more embarassing.It seems the current Estonian constitution doesn't allow the ratification of Giscard d'Estaign's Magnum Opus. It's that wonderful §1 about independence. Let's hope they keep it that

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1113085694311072542005-04-09T23:05:00.000+02:002005-06-17T03:55:50.703+02:00

So, after exentensive media manipulation, Gudrun Schyman's new party, the Feminist Initiative has finally arrived. There has even been a rather questionable poll, with a question along the lines of "Would you vote for the Feminist Party or would you vote for something else?"According to this poll they would gain a fair number of seats, maybe 7%, if the election were to be held today.The new party

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1112907223442755962005-04-07T22:07:00.000+02:002005-04-09T13:21:00.880+02:00

On March 22:nd representatives of the umbrella campaign Folkomröstning.nu have delivered 120 333 signatures demanding a referendum to the Swedish Parliament and Goverment. The media coverage was extensive and very positive.The campaign continues.

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1110733541003662342005-03-13T17:16:00.000+01:002005-03-16T03:24:20.726+01:00

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

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1110196978444684992005-03-07T12:47:00.000+01:002005-03-07T13:02:58.446+01:00

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.

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1109909786159043392005-03-04T04:12:00.000+01:002005-03-04T05:28:58.263+01:00

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

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1109647876156568882005-03-01T04:31:00.000+01:002005-12-17T22:23:45.890+01:00

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,

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1109634995312541132005-03-01T00:16:00.000+01:002005-03-01T01:03:02.730+01:00

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.)

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1109613452030125952005-02-28T16:42:00.000+01:002005-02-28T22:50:41.430+01:00

On february 27:th Sweden's major evening paper Aftonbladet published an editorial by moderately well-known europhile Helle Klein on the ratification of the Constitution. The paper is pro-Constitution, but the title says it all: "Don't be yellow on Europe" (Sluta fega om Europa). While reading this, remember that Aftonbladet is a major Swedish media, and that it's the only national newspaper in

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1109557863913285482005-02-28T02:58:00.000+01:002005-02-28T04:15:52.030+01:00

There are many party political polls and I have no intention of publishing more than necessary. But sooner or later I have to publish the first one, so I might as well get it over with.This TEMO-poll was published in Dagens Nyheter 27/2 2005. It was performed 9-23/2, and 2190 people where asked which party they would vote for if there had been an election today.The Government and its support:

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1109518528784634492005-02-27T15:40:00.000+01:002005-02-28T21:35:44.070+01:00

Sweden is a parliamentary democracy, with a general election every fourth year. Parties that fail to gain at least 4% of the vote will not get any seats in the Riksdag. The 349 seats are distributed among the parties that manages the threshold by a system of proportional representation. This means that Sweden has a lot of parties...The Social Democrats: Socialdemokraterna (s)This party considers

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1109369578855845482005-02-25T22:27:00.000+01:002005-03-03T00:32:17.003+01:00

On february 20:th prestigious daily Dagens Nyheter published an article by 15 leading members of the Green Party demanding a referendum on the EU-constitution. The undersigned were parliamentarians, members of the NEC and both Speakers of the Green Youth. The Green Party is in a co-operation agreement with the Socialdemocratic government and the eurosceptic Left Party. The minor parties do not

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1109351691068124442005-02-25T17:53:00.000+01:002005-02-26T02:04:21.060+01:00

According to a poll by SIFO on behalf of swedish television, presented two days before the Spanish referendum, there is now a clear majority for a referendum on the EU-constitution.58% are in favour of a referendum, 32% would prefer the question to be settled by the swedish parliament, and 11% are undecided. SIFO asked 1000 people.Considering that the fact that many other countries will have the

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1106360231878879902005-01-22T02:57:00.000+01:002005-01-24T20:11:34.316+01:00

I found this item in EuropaPosten (1-2005), the Swedish paper of the Commission: No EU for Sweden If there would have been a referendum about the EU-membership today the Swedes would have voted no. At least according to an opinion poll that SIFO recently made on behalf of Swedish National Television. A mere 45% of those asked answered that they would have been voting yes today if there had been a

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10310708.post-1106347346172764912005-01-21T23:18:00.000+01:002005-01-22T01:44:04.746+01:00

A great man once said that it is worth learning Danish just in order to read "Notat", but unfortunately we do not have anything of that quality here in Sweden. And even if we did, most eurosceptics looking for information about the political situation in Sweden and the state of our movement probably wouldn´t bother to learn Swedish anyway. So therefore, this blog.

Max Anderssonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046432998274931608noreply@blogger.com1