Sweden is a part of EU since 1995, but we're not yet connected to the EMU (Economic and Monetary Union). So we aren't using euros, we still have our national currency, the Swedish Krona. The situation is similar in the UK and Denmark who are also members of the EU, but are still using their national currencies. Anyway, on September 14 there's a referendum in Sweden about whether we should fully join EMU and change our currency to euro. Naturally there's a heated debate over the issue in Sweden right now and so far it seems the No side is winning according to polls. Which I think is a pity since I'm very positive to joining the EMU. Anyway, it would be interesting to hear what other people's view on the matter is, both europeans and non-europeans.
EMU
- Thread starter Humus
- Start date
Captain Chickenpants
Regular
Tough call, we are no doubt going to be faced with the same choice sometime in the not too distant future.
I like our currency, and think it is an important part of the culture of a country. However I think that the unification is inevitable and is a good thing as we become part of a more global economy, so I voted yes.
CC
I like our currency, and think it is an important part of the culture of a country. However I think that the unification is inevitable and is a good thing as we become part of a more global economy, so I voted yes.
CC
I agree with CC above. Ultimately, a unified currency has too many benefits to ignore, but I'll be sorry to see the Pound go as I'm sure many Swedes will be sad to wave goodbye to their Kronor.
As things stand at present, however, there is no unified banking system within Europe so, for example, you can't pay a Euro cheque drawn from a German bank account into a Euro bank account held in France (at least not without incurring charges). My business deals with European customers a great deal and, although we are happy to receive payment in Euro cash/banknotes, we can't accept Euro cheques, even though we have a Euro bank account in Ireland! This is simply preposterous - I'm sure we'd do a great deal more European business if we could pay in cheques without incurring transaction charges.
As things stand at present, however, there is no unified banking system within Europe so, for example, you can't pay a Euro cheque drawn from a German bank account into a Euro bank account held in France (at least not without incurring charges). My business deals with European customers a great deal and, although we are happy to receive payment in Euro cash/banknotes, we can't accept Euro cheques, even though we have a Euro bank account in Ireland! This is simply preposterous - I'm sure we'd do a great deal more European business if we could pay in cheques without incurring transaction charges.
Sticky: Nope! 
I can't see national identities will fade away - here in the UK, the Welsh and Scots hate the English and our countries have been in Union for centuries!
I suppose over hundreds of years a blending might occur to an extent but, no doubt, other social groups would spring up to keep us all separate. Let's face it, the extremely wealthy already live in a different world to the rest of us and have an utterly different identity to their countrymen.
I can't see national identities will fade away - here in the UK, the Welsh and Scots hate the English and our countries have been in Union for centuries!
I suppose over hundreds of years a blending might occur to an extent but, no doubt, other social groups would spring up to keep us all separate. Let's face it, the extremely wealthy already live in a different world to the rest of us and have an utterly different identity to their countrymen.
Well I couldn't decide! So no vote from me yet!
Im not sure what I think about changing currency from Krone to Euro and I know way too little about the financial pros and cons. But do think that is inevitable at some point so I see no point in waiting.
@Sticky: People are too different in Europe so I’ll bet that wouldn’t happen in the next 200 years and most likely never IMO. (Though some say the situation isn’t that much different in USA)
(BTW, if Sweden joins the Euro im 97% sure the Danes will follow... :? )
So no vote from me yet!Im not sure what I think about changing currency from Krone to Euro and I know way too little about the financial pros and cons. But do think that is inevitable at some point so I see no point in waiting.
@Sticky: People are too different in Europe so I’ll bet that wouldn’t happen in the next 200 years and most likely never IMO. (Though some say the situation isn’t that much different in USA)
(BTW, if Sweden joins the Euro im 97% sure the Danes will follow... :? )
CosmoKramer
Newcomer
I'm starting to consider voting no because of all the outrageous lies, scares and exaggerations the Yes camp is trying to pull. Whip and carrot.
My personal experience from switching to Euro (I'm from Finland) was mostly positive and not having to change currency when going boozing to Sweden would definitely add to that too Being able to directly compare prices across Europe has been very handy.
Then again, you Swedes probably don't need any more endorsement from me as our president and prime minister have already done so
Being able to directly compare prices across Europe has been very handy.Then again, you Swedes probably don't need any more endorsement from me as our president and prime minister have already done so
CosmoKramer said:
LOL! Yeah, like the No camp is above that...
Like Maud Olofsson equating the EMU to the third reich? That was pure class.
Actually this whole debate is becoming ever more ridiculous and warped every day and it's becoming more and more clear that everyone is going to the polls with ulterior motives behind their vote instead of making an objective decision. The establishment is mostly pro-EMU, so anti-establishment people sees an opportunity to pip them and becomes entrenched in the no camp. Some people are romantic nationalists and oppose attempts to change what is "swedish", and no, that's not the usual ultra right-wing nationalists I'm talking about, it's the _left_ fringe!! The right OTOH is in the yes camp because they see it as an opportunity to wring power out of the present(social democratic) government's hands. Better EU controlling things than the left seems to be the tune.
All this has warped the situation out of recognition from an european perspective, where mostly it is the left that has been pushing _for_ more and more european integration that is the EU and EMU and the right has been staunchly against. Just see how the climate is in Great Britain.
Cosmo, you might find this interesting:
http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0,2789,352939,00.html
Voted yes but if asked about the loonie joning the US dollar Id have to vote no. Not that it couldnt be a good idea but the economic fundaments in the US are not very good right now... maybe in 20-30 years. Or better Canada could be a bridge with Europe and join the euro itself and eventually make it more viable to have world currency union which would be greatly accelerated if the US joined...
pax said:
lol, if I had a vote to join the US I would vote yes.
I don't like the looks of the EU constitution so I suppose if the vote actually counted I would vote no. But I am not sure that would be much of a discrepancy with Sweden.
EDIT: I abstained from the vote, not that it matters.
CosmoKramer
Newcomer
MPI said:LOL! Yeah, like the No camp is above that...
For starters, I must say that I have always been almost overwhelmingly positive when it comes to EMU, so my criticism comes from a formerly likely "Yes" voter.
Secondly, almost the entire power elite in this country is on the Yes side, so I consider it a bit more disturbing/disgusting when they are using lies and exaggerations. Like a few days ago when Anna Lindh (socialist foreign minister) and the Ericsson CEO jointly threatened that Ericsson would leave Sweden (cry wolf one too many times...
). A lot more disturbing to me than when the laughable communists or the confused and equally laughable Centre party do the same.Sticky said:
I don't think so. Sure, we'll become more similar over time, but there's always going to be regional differencies. The EU will probably just become more like how the US is today. Personally, I don't care much for national indentities, I'm a strong supporter of globalism.
CosmoKramer said:
That's seriously exaggerating. They didn't threat anything. They merely said that in a large export driven corporation when you decide where to invest your money you have to factor in the currency stability and currency exchange costs. These factors do not speak for Sweden. The Krona is a small and jumpy currency.
CosmoKramer
Newcomer
Humus said:
You have to be able to read between the lines my dear Humus. You need to look at
- Who said it?
- When did they say it?
- Why did they say it?
Oh it was a threat alright. Stick and carrot, stick and carrot.
Oh, here's a link to the article in question: "Rational to leave Sweden". For most people it doesn't get any clearer than that...
http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=572&a=174609&previousRenderType=2
Humus said:
I can't see this happening myself. The difference with the borders in Europe as compared to the US is that almost every country has a different language. It's very hard to become like your neighbours when you don't even speak the same lingo!
I know that English has become the 'lingua franca' of the world but there is no way I can see Europe becoming fully united due to the cultural and linguistic differences. Hey - perhaps Esperanto wasn't such a bad idea after all?
Mariner said:
I don't know for cheques in particular but since 1.7.2003 additional charges for a foreign bank transfer aren't allowed anymore (at least in Austria, but its a EU directive, so I guess it applies to all Euro countries.), i.e. it has to cost the same as a domestic bank transfer. The banks may not like this, but to be honest - they should've seen this coming. And - how old is EDIFACT?