Lobbyists and EU advocates have highlighted the weak krona exchange rate as the main argument for Sweden to adopt the euro. However, a survey shows that the majority of Swedes want to keep their domestic currency – while only a quarter want to see the euro in Sweden.
Swedish news TV4’s Nyheterna and research agency Verian (formerly Sifo) asked 1050 Swedes about their views on the issue. It emerged that people in Skåne and Gothenburg are most positive about changing currency – while people in northern Sweden are most skeptical about the euro. In Gothenburg and Malmö, 35 percent and 32 percent of residents want to see a currency change – while support in northern Sweden is below 20 percent.
– This is not a new trend, but we have generally seen for a long time that southern and western Sweden are more positive about the euro. One reason may be that they are closer to the continent, to Germany and Denmark. Denmark has its own currency, but it is pegged to the euro, says Per Söderpalm, opinion manager at Verian.
It is unclear why Swedes remain negative about the euro, but Söderpalm speculates that it is because the issue is not “topical in the debate”, the krona exchange rate has recovered somewhat and the parties are focusing on other issues ahead of the EU elections.
“Like the Swedish currency best”
Today, 53 percent of Swedes are against introducing the euro as the Swedish currency – and only 24 percent in favor. When the same question was asked last fall, 47 percent were against the currency change and 27 percent in favor.
– I like the Swedish currency best, I don’t want the euro. It will be too hard, says Grete Jönsson.
Terttu Yli-Viikari Svensson, is of the opposite opinion and tells the channel that she would like to see a currency change.
– I’m a bit biased because I’m Finnish. But it exists in Finland and it works really well for me.
