Swedish Social Democrats Split on EU Constitution

The discussion was prompted by a proposal from the youth branch of the Swedish Social Democrat party and the argument was won by a majority of just one vote. The issue will now be taken to a level higher in the internal party structures, when a regional party conference of Social Democrats in Skåne, Southern Sweden in November will discuss the issue, according to Svenska Dagbladet. The vote in Malmö has come as a welcome gift to the Swedish eurosceptic June movement, which is starting a nine-day campaign tour through the country calling for a referendum. So far, 60,000 Swedes have signed up to the call for a referendum on the EU Constitution via a cross-party network calling itself Referendum Now. Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson and a majority in the Parliament have, however, refused to hold a referendum on the future EU Constitution. Only the Swedish Green Party and the Left Party are in favor of having one. (EUobserver.com)