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Reinfeldt cedes to EU budget demands

Published: 22 Nov 12 18:04 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/44598/20121122/

Sweden’s prime minister has accepted a hike in the Swedish EU contribution, but intends to fight Swedes having to pay more than other well-to-do members.

“I don’t feel we’ve got a proper explanation to why this latest proposal means our position worsens compared to other net contributors,” Reinfeldt told Swedish news agency TT as he arrived in Brussels on Thursday for EU budget talks.

He accepted that Sweden's fee would go up as the country's finances are more robust than many of its European neighbours.

Sweden has long been a ‘net contributor’ to the union, giving more cash than it gets back from the European budget.

At the same time, Sweden is one of five countries that have a discount on its EU fee.

This year, Sweden will dish out more than 32 billion kronor ($4.79 billion). Without the discount, however, the fee would be 10 percent higher.

The current debate about the long-term EU budget has proven contentious on many national fronts.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has said he will defend the UK discount and wants “a good deal” for his taxpayers.

Austria, The Netherlands and Germany also have discounts.

Denmark does not have one but Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt is threatening to veto any final deal if her country is not offered a one-billion Danish kroner discount.

TT/The Local/at
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20:33 November 22, 2012 by Rogerenden
In that case: Let's hope Cameron remains strong
21:51 November 22, 2012 by skogsbo
weak, very poor effort, the comedy of the EU rolls ever onwards.
22:43 November 22, 2012 by Taxalien
Reinfeldt just like the rest of his government:

All words and little action.

Anyone that support them, or any other party in the political nobility should be ashamed.

Any free man should refuse to support the system, by choosing any other alternative possible.

A vote on the political nobility is a vote lost, whereas a vote for any non established party is not a loss, not just a voice but hope that one day this country will be free again, ruled by and for the people.
09:16 November 23, 2012 by the fonz
What a sad weak performance. I am very disappointed in Reinfeldt giving in to the bullies and wasters in the EU. Shame on you.

Let's see if Cameron is man enough to stand by his word.

The more these cowards give in to the unelected theives the more they will keep taking.
11:00 November 23, 2012 by RobinHood
"I don't feel we've got a proper explanation to why this latest proposal means our position worsens compared to other net contributors,"

The "proper explanation" is that Sweden's interests within the EU have never been defended. During a long history of EU negotiations, Sweden has traditionally rolled over and given its EU partners everything they ask for. Other EU countries see Sweden as a patsy, always ready to cough up even more money, and to even receive less.

Poor Mr Reinfeltd is continuing this tradition of Swedish "generosity". Prepare for a speech from Mr Reinfeldt about the huge concessions he has wrung from the EU. Then then do the math yourself and see if they really are concessions, or yet another increase in net contribution from the patsy.
14:10 November 23, 2012 by ontheball
Reinfeldt is a weak placeman for the EU. Sweden will role on towards being a completely subordinated state as per the plan for federal domination.

The acquiescent Swedes and paid-for immigrants will continue to accept and vote for the force-fed garbage about an ever closer union for peace and prosperity while living standards will continue to decline - as is the case for all western countries that pursue the same dogmatic socialist ideology.
16:18 November 23, 2012 by intrepidfox
You rub my back and i´ll rub yours. Typical politician wanting friendship with the big wigs and couldn´t care less about the voters
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