Acta Politica (2007) 42, 191–210. doi:10.1057/palgrave.ap.5500183

Softening but Persistent: Euroscepticism in the Nordic EU Countries

Tapio Raunioa

aDepartment of Political Science and International Relations, University of Tampere, 33014 Finland. E-mail: tapio.raunio@uta.fi

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Abstract

The Nordic region is known for its Euroscepticism. Norwegians have twice rejected European Union (EU) membership in a referendum, Denmark and Sweden have opted out of the single currency, leaving thus Finland as the only pro-integrationist Nordic EU country. However, while the levels of public Euroscepticism are relatively similar across the three Nordic EU countries, only the Danish and Swedish party systems display strong support for Eurosceptical parties. Focusing on government–opposition dynamics, this article explains variation in party-based Euroscepticism in the Nordic EU countries, and argues that we will continue to see strong — but nonetheless declining — partisan Euroscepticism in the Nordic region.

Keywords:

Euroscepticism, Nordic countries, parties, Denmark, Finland, Sweden

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