Sweden says No to euro

[Blitz]

Sweden has voted decisively to reject the euro in a referendum overshadowed by the killing of Foreign Minister Anna Lindh.
With 98% of ballots, counted the No side had 56% to the Yes side's 42%.

Prime Minister Goeran Persson has conceded defeat.

RESULTS WITH 98% OF BALLOTS COUNTED
Against euro: 56%
In favour: 42%
Undecided ballots: 2%


Celebration in No camp
Lindh was the main face of the Yes campaign, and most opinion polls after her stabbing in a Stockholm department store showed support for the euro rising.

However, the No side was able to hang on to the majority it had right through the campaign.


. . .

more:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3108292.stm

[sushi]

1. I can understand Sweden's "No"

They must be like the Brits. Comfortable with what they're used to, afraid of the unknown. "Why change." The conservatives usually reject anything that changes their lives. 42% is not far from 51%.

[Dirk39]

4. I understand them too, but Sweden is one of the most,

if not the most progressive countries in the EU. Maybe, this is the reason, they rejected the Euro. I guess their reasons are very different from the reasons, GB had to reject the Euro. The more Europe is "united", the more we all get caught in the neoliberal agenda. I would like a united Europe, but a Europe of the people, not of the corporations.
Greetings from Germany,
Dirk

[sushi]

2. I can understand Sweden's "No"

They must be like the Brits. Comfortable with what they're used to, afraid of the unknown. "Why change." The conservatives usually reject anything that changes their lives. 42% is not far from 51%.

[goforit]

3. Diabold voting system?????

I'm sure they will have another chance to vote!

[rusk2003]

5. I think they made a good decision

I would vote no too. I think if there ever was a United States OF Europe with the same currency they would all loose their identy they would forget who they are where they came from. They may become very greedy They should all preserve their national hertiage. I think the European Union has been benifical to Europe and America and should countinue to exit. Just it is going to the extream with the Euro Curruncy and all.

Iam sure it was not in their ecconomic intrest. Look at what happens here when one or a few states ecconomy go bad it effects all states. So if Germany and/or France had a depression it would effect all countries on the euro.

[tinnypriv]

6. Fantastic :D

n/t

[w4rma]

7. Anything that throws a wrench into "free-trade" is okay by me (n/t)

[Paschall]

8. "Free trade" is already full blown in Sweden thanks to the EU

The EU guarantees the right to free flow of capital and goods. The only thing this accomplishes for the Swedes is that they maintain control of their monetary policy. But the kroner is a feather-weight on the world money markets. Not adopting the euro means the Swedes will continue to see their money swept along in the global tide. The euro would have given them the combined force of Europe.

As far as I can see, the only way this "no" vote negatively effects free trade is that it will continue to cost businesses and travelers in currency exchange commissions.

[CWebster]

9. The US is currently a poor example of United anything

but I wonder about these insulated and economically successful European countries who resent subsidizing poorer EU members or risk having those poor dark swarming masses crossing their white, lily white, nauseatingly white, borders.