Europeans for States' Rights

January 23, 2004

French leaders have historically been leery of characterizing England as a true and steadfast part of Europe. British leaders tend to hold stronger to the ideas of state sovereignty and provide an anchor to the West. But events in Sweden seem to indicate that old continental wisdom may be out of touch with other Europeans.

National economist Nils Lundgren has announced plans to establish a new political party to defend states' rights, and statistical surveys suggest it is a sound idea. He expects the new party to participate in elections to the European Parliament in June and predicts they could end up with as many as twenty percent of the available seats.

Swedes rejected the Euro in a referendum last September. Independent polling showed that the vote was tied to rejection of a massive power-shift to Brussels. Since then, polls have shown an increase in EU skepticism.

The anti-Euro campaign was supported by far left parties in Sweden. Leaders of the major right-wing parties supported the Euro along with Sweden's largest political party, the Social Democrats. But it was clear early on that politicians and the party faithful were abandoning their leadership to operate independent anti-Euro campaigns.

Strong EU skepticism cuts across the whole political spectrum, but the leaders of major parties have been pushing to accomplish every integration step that comes up for a vote; too blindly it seems for a majority of the population. Mr. Lundgren would like to provide an alternative made up of a select group drawn from several parties that will be right in heart of the popular middle ground but with a primary mission of establishing limits to the EU power shift.

Brussels failed to get agreement on a new constitution in 2003 (after its supporters expressed the same impatience to get the job done as with establishing a fully independent Iraq). The proposed constitution would have set the stage for an unlimited power shift without shielding states or providing guarantees of basic human rights.

The most well-publicized complaint was the extent to which power would have rested in the hands of the French-German axis. During UN Security Council debates on the War in Iraq, France and Germany played the anti-American card in a bid to establish a perceived need for a rapid power shift and increased military independence.

One reason for the impatience was that future proposals will face an even larger constituency from the New Europe. Jacque Chirac had openly advertised his desire to establish the EU's foundation before its newest members from the east were eligible to vote. But rejection of the proposed constitution seems to indicate that even current voting members are not interested in repeating the Soviet experience of a highly centralized socialist government.

Swedish polls reflect an increased resistence to a major restructuring of European political power. Supporters of the power shift promoted what in effect would be a single European super-state they say would maintain European identity by reflecting the ideals of its member states. That would be done by seizing control of policy decisions encompassed in the extensive body of treaties that currently define the European Union. But more Europeans are expressing the belief that preservation of states' rights and established democratic systems are the only way to maintain the real thing.

The next hurdle faced by Mr. Lundgren is the effort to convince politicians to break ties with established political parties to join his new invention. Swedish state television reports that at least four possible candidates from three political parties have already turned down the invitation. The extent to which experienced politicians will be involved remains to be seen. In any case, Mr. Lundgren expects to announce leading candidates within two weeks.

Roger F. Gay

DISCUSS THIS ARTICLE IN THE FORUM