More Norwegians Opposed to Joining EU

For the first time since August 2002, a clear majority of Norwegians have declared their opposition toward membership of the European Union. A poll conducted by Sentio-Norstat on behalf of three Norwegian newspapers showed 45 percent of people in Norway oppose EU membership, while only 42.2 percent are in favor, 12.7 percent did not take a stand. The question of joining the EU should be shelved, said Sigbjørn Gjelsvik, leader of the Norwegian "no" movement. A new EU referendum would only be divisive and steal the attention from other more important international questions, he added. Even after the recent poll, pro-EU political parties are hoping for a third referendum after the next general elections in September 2005. Norway voted "no" to joining the EU in referendums in 1972 and 1994.