Swedish euro referendum, 2003

Eurozone participation
  19 European Union member states (the eurozone)
  7 European Union member states not in ERM II but obliged to join
  1 European Union member state in ERM II, with an opt-out (Denmark)
  1 European Union member state not in ERM II, with an opt-out (United Kingdom)
  4 non-European Union member states using the euro with a monetary agreement are (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City)
  2 non-European Union member states using the euro unilaterally (Kosovo and Montenegro)

A non-binding referendum on introduction of the euro was held in Sweden on 14 September 2003.[1] The referendum failed. As a consequence, Sweden decided in 2003 not to adopt the euro for the time being. Had they voted in favor, Sweden would have adopted euro on 1 January 2006.[2]

The ballot text was "Do you think that Sweden should introduce the euro as currency?" (Swedish: ”Anser du att Sverige skall införa euron som valuta?”). Sweden in Europe was the main umbrella group campaigning for a Yes vote. The resistance was led by two organisations, representing left and right side politicians respectively. The political parties were divided, some supported introducing the euro, some were against, and the Social democrats did not take position due to internal disagreements.

Background

Main article: Sweden and the euro

Sweden joined the European Union in 1995 and its accession treaty obliges it to join the euro. However, one of the requirements for eurozone membership is two years' membership of ERM II, and Sweden has chosen not to join this mechanism and as a consequence tie its exchange rate to the euro ±2.25%. While there is government support for membership, all parties have pledged not to join without a referendum in favor of doing so.

Result

The voter turnout was 82.6%, and the referendum failed with 55.9% against and 42.0% in favor[1] A majority of voters in Stockholm county voted in favor of adopting the euro (54.7% "yes", 43.2% "no"). In Skåne and Stockholm counties the people voting "yes" (49.3%) outnumbered the people voting "no" (48.5%), although the invalid and blank votes resulted in no majority for either option. In all other polls in Sweden, the majority voted no.[3][4] Among municipalities, most of those in western Skåne, and in most in Stockholm county voted yes. Also Kungsbacka and Haparanda voted yes. Haparanda is the only city bordering the eurozone. All other municipalites voted no.

Summary of
the referendum		 Votes Percent
Yes 2,453,899 42.0
No 3,265,341 55.9
Blank votes 121,073 2.1
Total 5,840,313 100
Invalid votes 3,475
Eligible voters 7,077,502
Turnout 5,843,788 82.6

Source: Nationalencyklopedin[5]
See also: Swedish Election Authority[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Folkomröstningar 1922-2003" (in Swedish). Statistics Sweden. 21 December 2007. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  2. ↑ "Heikensten: The Riksbank and the euro". Sveriges Riksbank. 2003-06-17. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
  3. ↑ "Sweden. Euro Referendum 2003". Electoral Geography. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
  4. ↑ "Riksöversikten" (in Swedish). Valmyndigheten. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  5. ↑ "Folkomröstning: Tabell: Folkomröstningar i Sverige". Nationalencyklopedin (in Swedish). Retrieved 22 May 2011. (subscription required)
  6. ↑ "Nationella folkomröstningar" (in Swedish). Swedish Election Authority. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2011.