In a bold move that could shake the foundations of the European Union, the far-right Sweden Democrats have unveiled a fresh EU strategy, advocating for the removal of references to the EU from the Swedish Constitution.
Party leader Jimmie Åkesson and European Conservatives and Reformists Vice-President Charlie Weimers outlined their vision in a joint article published in the daily newspaper Aftonbladet, setting the stage for the upcoming crunch EU elections.
The Sweden Democrats, currently the country’s second-largest party, are now positioning the threat of a Swedish exit from the European Union – dubbed ‘Swexit’ – as a tool to strengthen Stockholm’s negotiating power in areas where the party perceives the nation’s interests are under threat.
Specifically, the party proposes the elimination of the phrase “Sweden is part of the European Union” from the Swedish constitution, a provision added in 2010.
Weimers and Åkesson argue that demonstrating a readiness to walk away from the negotiating table is crucial for achieving desired outcomes.
They wrote: “This signals that Sweden is ready to leave as a last resort and that Brussels cannot afford to lose any more net contributors.”
The party leaders claim that Sweden is currently at a disadvantage on various fronts, citing issues such as the minimum wage directive, which they believe jeopardises the Swedish labour market model, and the Swedish forest industry, allegedly exploited as a common carbon sink to offset the continent’s environmentally harmful electricity production.
Weimers explained the proposed constitutional change to Swedish national broadcaster SVT. He said: “By no longer writing into the constitution that Sweden should be in the EU, we show that Sweden is flexible and stands on its own two feet.”
Despite previously indicating a shift away from advocating for a Swedish withdrawal from the EU, the Sweden Democrats, long-standing opponents of the EU project, have rekindled the discussion. Just over a year ago, Åkesson announced a reassessment of Sweden’s EU membership, criticising the EU as a “straitjacket” and claiming that Sweden had relinquished significant elements of its right to self-determination.
As the European elections loom in June, the far-right party is urging the Swedish parliament to enact a “referendum lock”. This mechanism would mandate a referendum on any transfer of power from the EU to Sweden deemed “significant” or involving “new or greater demands for payments”.
The Sweden Democrats’ renewed anti-EU stance poses a potential challenge for the pro-European centre-right ruling coalition comprising the Moderates, Christian Democrats, and Liberals. Complicating matters further, the coalition relies on official support from the Sweden Democrats, as stipulated in their coalition agreement, where the far-right party backs the coalition in exchange for the implementation of its immigration agenda.
