After Holland, Sweden also wants to leave the European Union

The European Union, already grappling with growing autonomist pressures, now risks a new shock after the elections in the Netherlands.
In particular, the opinion of Charlie Weimers, member of the European Parliament and vice-president of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), could pave the way for an important discussion on Sweden's remaining in the EU.
During the Sweden Democrats (SD) conference on November 24, Weimers suggested that Sweden should seriously consider leaving the European Union if the transfer of power to Brussels goes "too far".
The congress of SD members from all over Sweden focused on the crucial topic of EU membership.
Weimers stated that the EU is a political project that is taking the wrong direction, stressing that he is not immediately in favor of a Swedish exit, but leaves the possibility open in case of significant changes, such as the abolition of the veto in the Council European Union and an excessive transfer of power to Brussels.
“In that case, I will immediately call for a 'Swexit,'” Weimers said.
The youth branch of the SD, Ungsvenskarna, has proposed keeping the possibility of leaving the EU open.
They said that as a party they must make it clear, especially to their voters, that Swexit is a real alternative if the situation cannot be reversed, stressing that the debate must be taken forward in the forthcoming European elections next year.
Although the SD leadership does not actively push to leave the Union, it proposes a full and independent evaluation of Swedish EU membership.
Weimers also underlined that the EU has become a supranational union in which Sweden is constantly ignored, with a significant reduction in the influence of national governments.
“Democracy is gradually being undermined, and citizens have noticed this development,” he said.
The SD leadership hopes for a “referendum lock” mechanism, in which “future parliamentary decisions to transfer additional powers from the national to the EU level should be preceded by a referendum”.
Weimers also hopes that the ruling Moderates (centre-right, EPP) will adopt the SDs' skeptical position on the EU, but recognizes that an overwhelming majority in Sweden still supports the country's EU membership.
According to Weimers, only one in ten people want to leave the EU, so “out of respect for popular opinion, the Sweden Democrats are not in favor of leaving”.
He highlighted the challenge of the next European elections on 9 June 2024, where the SD aims to become the main party representing Sweden in the European Parliament.
In the last European elections, the party obtained 15.3% of the votes, compared to 23.5% for the Social Democrats.
read also Holland, is Wilders' victory an obstacle for Meloni?