Third of Swedes want out of EU

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Thirty-five percent of Swedes want their country to leave the European Union, according to a an opinion poll published on Thursday.

The poll of 1,007 people, taken by the research institute Demoskop showed an increase in opposition to Swedish membership in the EU's single currency.

Almost 60 percent were in favour of Sweden retaining its membership of the 15 nation EU, which the Nordic country joined in 1995.

Sweden holds the EU presidency in the first half of 2001, a mantle which its government hopes will bring the EU closer to Swedish people and bolster national support for the union.

Sweden, Britain and Denmark are the only EU countries which have not signed up for the euro, the EU's single currency that was launched in January 1999.

The poll found 55 percent of Swedes would vote against joining the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the euro, while 35 percent would vote "yes."

In a Demoskop poll a month ago, 52 percent said "no" while 36 percent were in favour.

Sweden's ruling Social Democrats have come out cautiously in favour of euro membership, but promised to let the people decide the issue in a referendum.

Prime Minister Goran Persson has ruled out holding a plebiscite until after the next general election in September 2002.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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