The effects of Sweden's no vote will be felt throughout Europe
Published:
15 September 2003 y., Monday
Sweden has voted overwhelmingly to reject the euro in a referendum overshadowed by the killing of Foreign Minister Anna Lindh.
The final result shows 56.1% voting against the euro, with only 41.8% in favour, on a high turnout of 81.2%.
The Swedish Prime Minister, Goran Persson, said the result was a clear victory for opponents of Swedish Euro-membership.
A BBC correspondent in Stockholm says the victory will be welcomed by opponents of the euro in Britain and Denmark, the other two EU countries outside the eurozone. European Commission President Romano Prodi said it would mean Sweden losing influence in EU decision-making.
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who aims to lead his country into the eurozone, said the Swedish result had "no bearing on our attitude towards the single currency".
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder deplored Sweden's no, but said "the door was not closed and that the possibility of a later Swedish euro entry remained".
Šaltinis:
BBC News
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
75 years after Moscow first opened its underground train system, Muscovites can ride a restored vintage train.
more »
A glacier melt threatens to cause massive flooding and destroy a centuries old monastic fortress in the remote country of Bhutan.
more »
What do countries as geographically diverse as Saudi Arabia, Uganda and Jamaica have in common? All of them criminalised homosexuality.
more »
Human rights is a key issue for the European Parliament and MEPs Monday took a first look at what the European Union did last year, when they discussed the EU annual report on human rights in the world.
more »
Researchers found high levels of mecury in a Japenese dolphin-hunting town, but say the mecury has no ill effects.
more »
Crowds of Mexicans marched peacefully through the capital city on Saturday demanding the legalisation of marijuana.
more »
Prisoners are reported to have dramatic improvements in behaviour after pets are introduced in a new scheme.
more »
Israeli Ultra-Orthodox MPs are lining up against activists proposing a total ban on furs, saying traditional fur hats are an important part of their religious tradition.
more »
EU Member States should organise social protection, including at least 14 weeks' maternity allowance, for self-employed women and self-employed men's wives or life partners, in accordance with national laws, said the Women's Rights Committee on Tuesday.
more »
How are the European Parliament, the European Commission and other parts of the European Union supposed to interest people and explain their work?
more »