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Verbatim report of proceedings
Thursday, 11 March 2004 - Strasbourg OJ edition

Vote (continuation)
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  Arvidsson, Cederschiöld, Grönfeldt Bergman, Stenmarck and Wachtmeister (PPE-DE), in writing. (SV) In the Swedish referendum on EU membership in 1994, all the political parties campaigning for Swedish membership of the EU asserted that marriage legislation and issues relating to cohabitation and abortion did not come within the decision-making competence of the EU. All the parties promised to work for these issues remaining within strictly national areas of legislation, without interference by the EU. We Moderates stand by this pledge to the Swedish electorate and believe that national legislation is much better than common EU legislation in this area.

We observe that other Swedish political parties have abandoned their pledge and are now prepared to transfer the issues to EU level. In the longer term, this will be to the detriment of Swedes and is in danger of conflicting with Swedish traditions and customs. There is no obvious need for coordination. The best adapted legislation is obtained if the various national parliaments within the EU devise the legislation themselves.

Prior to EU enlargement, respect must also be shown for the legislation of individual candidate countries in this area. We Swedish Moderates share the Swedish view on the rights to abortion and homosexual partnerships but, out of respect for other EU countries, we have voted against the section of the Brok report demanding new legislation on abortion and partnerships in Poland.

 
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