Swedish parliament opens Lisbon Treaty debate

Nov 20, 2008, 11:36 GMT

Stockholm - The Swedish parliament Thursday began to debate ratification of the European Union reform treaty, with opponents scrambling to postpone the ratification.

Five of the seven parties in the foreign affairs committee a week ago supported approval of the Lisbon Treaty in accordance with the government's recommendation.

In addition to the four parties in Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's ruling coalition, the treaty is also supported by the opposition Social Democrats.

Sven-Erik Osterberg of the Social Democrats, a former cabinet member, opened the debate saying it was 'necessary to cooperate over borders.' He added that his party wanted the EU to avert social dumping, the practice of importing goods from countries with weak labour standards.

The EU-sceptical Left Party and the Green Party oppose the treaty, but their 41 combined votes are not sufficient to prevent the ratification in the 349-seat legislature. They need 59 votes to form a blocking minority.

Leftist Hans Linde compared the treaty to 'Frankenstein's monster' citing the numerous efforts 'to patch it up,' and said previous no- votes in the Netherlands, France and Ireland should be respected.

The Lisbon Treaty is aimed to streamline decision-making in the bloc but cannot enter into force until all member states have ratified it. Ireland, where voters rejected it earlier this year, has yet to decide on a possible new vote.

Sweden is due to take over the six-month rotating EU presidency in July 2009.