- First published in Aftonbladet on 12 March 2024. Translated version below -
In a recent op-ed Jimmie Åkesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, and Charlie Weimers, one of the party’s MEPs, painted Sweden's EU membership as something disastrous for the nation’s interests. He proposed removing mentions of the EU from the Swedish constitution as a threat against the EU in a renegotiation of the terms of its membership, as well as the introduction of a lock that would make it almost impossible to adjust Sweden’s contribution to the EU budget without a referendum.
With a foot in each camp, I have a unique insight into what it actually means to be a part of, but also to leave, a union like the EU. As both a British and Swedish citizen, having lived through the Brexit disaster and now working to fix the mistakes made by one of my home countries, I find the Sweden Democrats' arguments extremely worrying. Despite seeming relatively harmless in isolation, when looked at in the context of Brexit and the dynamics that led up to it, it becomes clear that they are anything but.
"We have the perfect conditions for the SD to successfully follow the Brexit playbook, carry out their own Swexit, and all without any major parties standing in their way"
Indeed, my concern is that the Sweden Democrats have learnt how to introduce an exit from Brexit, but on the flipside, that so few of Sweden's mainstream parties have learnt their own lessons. We have the perfect conditions for the SD to successfully follow the Brexit playbook, carry out their own Swexit, and all without any major parties standing in their way - or even raising suspicions until it's too late.
In 2013, David Cameron promised a renegotiation of the UK's terms of EU membership, similar to the one proposed for Sweden by the Sweden Democrats, followed by a referendum on membership. His aim was clear: to appease Eurosceptics in his own party, and in the process, reclaim some of the sovereignty he felt had slipped to Brussels.
What he actually did was overestimate his negotiating position and underestimate the EU's determination to keep the union together. The EU gave Cameron some weak reforms so he could return to London with his ego intact, but in reality the reforms were never enough to calm the brewing Euroscepticism.
"renegotiations became a club for the Brexiters, used to smash Britain's relationship with Europe"
Instead, the renegotiations became a club for the Brexiters, used to smash Britain's relationship with Europe, and by extension Britain itself. Brexit became a fact. It is precisely this dynamic that the Sweden Democrats are trying to recreate. But unlike Cameron, this is something they are doing intentionally.
As for the idea of a referendum lock on EU contributions, it is a political manoeuvre that stinks of populism rather than practical politics. Compare Sweden's EU contribution - 0.46% of GDP - with its defence budget, which is four times larger, to put things into perspective. Would they really want to lock Sweden into a policy that prevents the country from acting flexibly and in our own economic interest? I would hope not.
We have seen time and time again that it is those EU countries which are willing to cooperate and develop solutions whose interests are protected, and not those who resist. Sweden must dare to take a seat at the negotiating table to help create an EU that favours Swedish interests, instead of sitting on the fence and sulking.
"David Cameron's renegotiations (unintentionally) paved the way for Brexit, but now the Sweden Democrats are trying to do the same"
It is well-established that David Cameron's renegotiations (unintentionally) paved the way for Brexit, but now the Sweden Democrats are trying to do the same. No one is surprised that SD is trying to open Pandora's box, but what is surprising is how little resistance they face.
This is how Swexit starts unless decent parties listen to the warning bells and act. The Government coalition and the Social Democrats must have the courage to speak up. I say this as a citizen who has seen the consequences of isolationism first hand: Sweden must not repeat Britain's mistake.
Elsie Gisslegard
Candidate for European Parliament for the Swedish Centre Party
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