European Knight
08-30-2015, 01:37 AM
Sweden's far-right Sweden Democrats, which recently topped an opinion poll for the first time, want a referendum to be held on the country's generous immigration policy, its party leader said Saturday.
"It's time for a referendum in Sweden on our immigration policy," Jimmie Akesson told supporters who gathered to hear his annual summer speech.
His chances of obtaining a vote are however slim: parliament must vote on whether to hold a referendum, and only six have been held since 1922.
Sweden welcomed 80,000 refugees last year, shouldering the biggest burden in the EU as a proportion of its population of 9.7 million.
With a cradle-to-grave welfare state, a reputation for tolerance, and a healthy economy and job market, Sweden is a favoured destination for the record number of migrants fleeing conflicts, authoritarian regimes and poverty worldwide.
Akesson said Sweden's open-arms policy and generous benefits system were contributing to the tragedy unfolding in Europe today.
Read more: Sweden's far-right wants referendum on immigration (http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/sweden-s-far-right-wants-referendum-on-immigration/article/442398)
http://i.imgur.com/GpgwRxn.png
"It's time for a referendum in Sweden on our immigration policy," Jimmie Akesson told supporters who gathered to hear his annual summer speech.
His chances of obtaining a vote are however slim: parliament must vote on whether to hold a referendum, and only six have been held since 1922.
Sweden welcomed 80,000 refugees last year, shouldering the biggest burden in the EU as a proportion of its population of 9.7 million.
With a cradle-to-grave welfare state, a reputation for tolerance, and a healthy economy and job market, Sweden is a favoured destination for the record number of migrants fleeing conflicts, authoritarian regimes and poverty worldwide.
Akesson said Sweden's open-arms policy and generous benefits system were contributing to the tragedy unfolding in Europe today.
Read more: Sweden's far-right wants referendum on immigration (http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/sweden-s-far-right-wants-referendum-on-immigration/article/442398)
http://i.imgur.com/GpgwRxn.png