Swedes in favour of joining euro: poll

Swedes in favour of joining the euro zone now outnumber those against, for the first time, a new survey indicates.

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The new survey from Sifo, commissioned by Sveriges Television, shows that 47 percent of Swedes would support joining the euro with 45 percent against.

Behind the figures lie both longer and shorter term reasons. The recent fall in the Swedish kronor relative to the euro has boosted support, according to Toivo Sjörén at Sifo.

"More longer term reasons are that we become used to using the euro when we are out and about in Europe," Sjörén told Sveriges Television news programme Rapport.

The survey shows that opposition to the euro is largest in the north and lowest in the south with women more negative than men.

A similar survey carried out by Synovate in November showed that 48 percent were against joining the euro while 44 percent would vote yes were a referendum held at that time.

Of all the Swedish political parties only the Liberal party supports the holding of a referendum, according to Dagens Nyheter.