Sweden Democrats says it's time to rethink EU membership

BIRMINGHAM, England

Swexit alert reemerged after the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) party leader Jimmie Akesson, who supported the coalition government in Sweden, said it was time to reconsider the country's membership in the European Union (EU).

The SD saw a greater rise in support during the 2022 Swedish general election with the party overtaking the Moderates to become the second largest in the Swedish Parliament, Riksdag.

In comments to the Aftonbladet newspaper, Akesson stated that the ever-expanding power of the EU means that German, Polish, or French politicians are the ones to decide “which car to buy, how expensive the petrol should be and which tree you can cut down on your property.”

Akesson noted that the reorganization of relations with the EU, and more exemptions from the laws of the union should be sought and they have good reasons to seriously reassess their membership.

Raising the vote to 20.5%, SD remained outside the ruling coalition, but its support was crucial in enabling the minority Moderate, Christian Democrat, and Liberal coalition to take power.

For enabling others to form the government, the party obtained the chairmanship of four committees in the parliament in return.

According to a survey conducted by the University of Gothenburg in March, Swedes are among the nations with the most positive approach to the EU, with 68%.

The country applied, along with Finland, to join NATO last year. Finland's NATO application was accepted and Stockholm is yet to realize its commitments made to Türkiye in order for Ankara to ratify its membership to the alliance.