Summer houses, Germans and Astrid Lindgren - Thirty Years of Sweden in the EU

In a recent reflection on Sweden's 30-year EU membership, Andreas Johansson Heinö, one of Sweden's leading liberal opinion makers and a member of the market-liberal think tank Timbro, highlights the significance of the 1994 referendum. Heinö describes the campaign leading up to the decision as subdued and factual, underscoring how important national level decisions often reflect a dynamic interplay between the elites' convictions and the public's concerns.

“A Divided Nation”

Before Sweden became an EU member state in 1995, after a 52,3 vs 46,8 % referendum, opinions on EU membership divided political parties and the broader population. Urban versus rural, men against women, young versus old. The "yes" side emphasized the importance of EU membership for jobs, economic stability, and peace, while the "no" side warned of lost sovereignty, democratic deficits, and social threats.

Despite widespread opposition to EU membership among large voter groups, Heinö notes that Sweden's political and economic elite ultimately pushed the issue forward. This was not without resistance, but their arguments prevailed and proved better in the end.

The Responsibility of the Elites

According to Heinö, the different elites played a crucial role in this historic referendum. Through the concerted efforts of politicians, business leaders, and labor unions, the "yes" side shifted public opinion during the campaign's final weeks. This effort was characterized by rational arguments rather than populist rhetoric, showcasing the importance of reasoned debate in critical political moments.

At the same time, Heinö critiques how certain actors on the "no" side employed nationalist, populist and prejudiced arguments, from alarmist claims about "Catholics and nuclear weapons" to concerns that the EU would threaten Swedish food culture and animal welfare. Sharply rebuked by leading politicians, these messages contributed to caricaturing and weakening the "no" campaign.

The Benefits of EU Membership

Heinö reminds us that most of the fears the "no" side voiced never came to pass. Instead, EU membership has become a driving force for economic growth and democratic stability. The young women who were among the most skeptical of membership at the time have grown up in Sweden and are more integrated with Europe than ever before.

Astrid Lindgren’s "EC can go to hell!"

Astrid Lindgren, a beloved Swedish author and advocate for progressive causes, took a surprising nationalist stance against EU membership during the 1994 referendum. Concerned about losing Swedish sovereignty, she famously declared, "I don't want to hear German in the archipelago," reflecting unease with foreign influence, particularly Germans buying Swedish summer homes. In daily liberal Expressen, she even exclaimed, "EC can go to hell!" (European Community). Her opposition echoed the "no" campaign's warnings about cultural and political erosion but sparked controversy given her iconic and cosmopolitan status.

30 Years Later: A Liberal Lesson

Heinö's analysis challenges today's critical views of "the establishment." He argues that the decision to join the EU demonstrates how elites can sometimes be crucial in steering a nation toward a better, more stable future. "Sometimes the establishment is right," he states, urging recognition of the importance of courageous and reasoned decision-making, even in the face of skepticism. Looking back on 30 years of Sweden's membership in the EU is, as Heinö puts it, a reminder of the importance of balancing the people's voice with the responsibility of the elites.

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