Project Secretary of the e2 Ms. Leena Koivisto visited a seminar ”Positive Opinion Winds for the EU” organized by SIEPS (Svenska Institutet för Europapolitiska Studier) in Stockholm on April 25, 2007. Amongst the speakers were professors in political science, Sören Holmberg and Rutger Lindahl from the University of Gothenburg.

According to a survey in autumn 2006 the support for the EU amongst Swedes has grown: 43 % are for, 31 % against EU membership. The EU membership has not traditionally gained such great support in Sweden. Time and positive experiences have, however, influenced Swedish attitudes vis-à-vis the EU. According to the study economic and environmental issues, together with the decrease in food prices, have had a positive effect on public opinion towards the EU.

The most positive attitudes towards membership are cherished still by the same social groups as in 1994: men, middle-aged people, the highly educated, senior officials, members in SACO (trade union for the educated), immigrants, inhabitants of bigger towns and of Southern Sweden. Even those groups against the membership have remained the same: women, young people, the less educated, workers, members of LO (The Central Organisation of Swedish Trade Unions), inhabitants of the countryside and of Northern Sweden. Turkish membership of the EU gains most support amongst the young, the well-educated, and left-wingers, while least support is found amongst older people, the less educated and right-wingers. Read more about the seminar through this link: http://www.sieps.se/sem/2007/sem_0425/sem_0425.html