Swedish support for EU membership surges following Brexit

Support for remaining within the European Union has grown in Sweden since Britain’s vote to leave, according to a new poll.A total of 63 per cent of Swedes asked said they would vote to remain if a referendum on Sweden’s EU membership were held today, up from 53 per cent in June, the survey by Swedish pollsters Novus found.Meanwhile, public confidence in the union itself has surged from 38 to 48 per cent in less than a month, despite the belief in some circles that Sweden might follow the UK out of the EU.The poll was conducted shortly after Britain voted on June 23, and took in the opinion of 1,000 Swedes aged between 18 and 79.READ MOREPhilip Hammond confirms UK will leave single market following BrexitPound sterling makes gains ahead of first interest rate decision since Brexit voteWho is David Davis? The Brexit minister taking legal action against the Government – in an EU courtEU membership support surges in Denmark after Brexit voteSweden joined the European Union on New Year’s Day 1995 following a national referendum in 1994, and has since been one of Britain’s most important allies in dealing with the eurozone.The country voted against adopting the euro currency during a referendum in September 2003, deciding to retain its native Swedish Krona.Political scientist Ian Manners lives in Sweden and said Britain’s decision had prompted Swedes to re-evaluate their attitude towards the EU.“The average Swedish person doesn’t think or care much about the EU, but Brexit brings it to the fore. The UK referendum made a complicated issue real,” he told The Local.“People in Sweden are suddenly forced to think about what the EU is, rather than just having a vague opinion on it.

 

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