Swedish PM in row over euro 'no' vote

Swedish politicians opposed to the European Union's single currency have criticised Goran Persson, the Prime Minister, for saying that Sweden could be forced to vote again if it says "no" to joining the euro in next September's referendum.

Mr Persson, who wants Sweden to adopt the euro, told Swedish public service SR radio that a rejection of the euro by a majority of Swedes on 14 September would probably lead to a new referendum at a later stage.

"What he is saying is that you may vote as you want as long as you vote 'yes'," said Maud Olofsson, leader of the anti-euro opposition Centre Party. Such views would make people wonder whether turning out to vote on September 14 made any difference, undermining the credibility of the referendum, she said.

Gudrun Schyman, leader of the ex-communist opposition Left Party, which is also anti-euro, said: "People will become angry and think, 'What is the difference if I vote because they will not listen'."

Rutger Lindahl, a professor of politics at Gothenburg University, said voter confidence in referendums would suffer if a new ballot was called on the same issue without any big change in circumstances.

But the daily Dagens Nyheter defended Mr Persson, arguing that the result of a referendum should not be seen as binding. "It must be possible to reconsider a 'no' to the euro, as well as a 'yes'," it said. It would be easier to change a rejection than to adopt the euro and then exit.

Under a timetable drawn up by Mr Persson, a "yes" in the plebiscite would lead to the Swedish crown being pegged to the euro early in 2004, with Sweden joining the economic and monetary union early in 2005, and euros entering circulation a year later.