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The prime ministers of Nordic countries rejected Wetterberg's proposal unanimously, claiming that cooperation between Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Sweden and Finland is already very close and fruitful. Wetterberg explains in his new article that Nordic countries should not create a union because of economic considerations, because they would be small on the scale of the world even if they were together. However, says Wetterberg, they would have more influence in organisations like the UN and OECD. Wetterberg also finds that the atmosphere of a union can already be felt in the area of the labour market and business in Nordic countries. Many Finns work in Sweden and vice versa, the inflow of labour from neighbouring countries to Norway has increased in the last 20 years and workers are commuting between Southern Sweden and Denmark every day. The scientist mentions Nordea, Statoil, Stora Enso, Fortum, Schibsted, etc., as examples of companies. The main areas of activity of the possible federal state would be foreign and security policy, economic policy, science, labour market and legislation. |
Social scientist advises Nordic countries to study the options of creating a federal state
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Politicians in Nordic countries could launch a study to ascertain the prospects for creation of a federal state in 10 to 15 years, advises renowned social scientist Gunnar Wetterberg in the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter. At the end of October, Wetterberg told the readers of Dagens Nyheter about his idea to create a new federal Nordic state, which would be similar to the historical Kalmar Union and headed by the Queen of Denmark. His thoughts, which reached the public at the time the Nordic Council was in the middle of its annual session, were followed by a heated public discussion. For example, a media publication in Finland organised a poll where it asked people for their opinion about the possible federal state. 79 percent of 6000 respondents thought the proposal was good. |