Rotating presidency of Europe: in Brussels, Sweden asks questions

The thermometer will drop to minus 15 degrees on Thursday January 12 and Friday January 13 for the first major meeting that Sweden is hosting as part of its rotating presidency of the European Union. And that it organizes with the European Commission in Kiruna, the northernmost city of the country. Because since the New Year and for the next six months, the Kingdom represents the 27 member countries. With the “main priority”, declared the center-right Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, “strengthening the security” of the continent. “As we have a war on our doorstep, we must ensure that we remain united” in solidarity with kyiv and condemnation of the Russian aggressor.

In the Brussels bubble, this new semester raises questions. Formed only last October, the ruling coalition in Stockholm is not only a minority, but also supported by The Democrats of Sweden, the extreme right party of Jimmie Åkessonwho has long campaigned for Swexit (an exit from the EU) and who now demands, with a majority of 20% in Parliament, strict control of the role of the Community institutions.

The thermometer will drop to minus 15 degrees on Thursday January 12 and Friday January 13 for the first major meeting that Sweden is hosting as part of its rotating presidency of the European Union. And that it organizes with the European Commission in Kiruna, the northernmost city of the country. Because since the New Year and for the next six months, the Kingdom represents the 27 member countries. With the “main priority”, declared the center-right Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, “strengthening the security” of the continent. “As we have a war on our doorstep, we must ensure that we remain united” in solidarity with kyiv and condemnation of the Russian aggressor.

In the Brussels bubble, this new semester raises questions. Formed only last October, the ruling coalition in Stockholm is not only a minority, but also supported by The Democrats of Sweden, the extreme right party of Jimmie Åkesson, who has long campaigned for Swexit (an exit from the EU) and who now demands, with a majority of 20% in Parliament, strict control of the role of the Community institutions. “It is important to have real influence to represent the interests of our voters,” insists the populist. He who willingly appears ultraliberal, xenophobic and climatosceptic, participated in the drafting of the government contract.

Read alsoJimmie Åkesson, a dyed-in-the-wool nationalist

Kiruna not only for its winter folklore

This does not prevent Stockholm from having a lot of ambition for its European work programme, with, in particular, the implementation of policies on ecological transition, migration and asylum, the defense of the of law and the strengthening of competitiveness. Moreover Kiruna was not chosen only for its winter folklore, but also, underlined Ulf Kristersson, because it is located in a region at the forefront of research into green technologies.

Despite everything, “in Brussels, we do not expect much from this presidency”, testifies Sébastien Maillard, the director of the Jacques Delors Institute, who observes that “Stockholm voted ‘no’ to the euro, part of the clan of so-called “stingy” countries and represents very liberal economic positions”. Most experts agree that if there is a blockage, it will be on migration issues, such as on the management of the transatlantic relationship, the Kingdom, a free trader at all costs, rejecting any form of European protectionism , to the immense satisfaction of Washington and the great displeasure of Paris…

Read alsoSweden talks with the United States about strengthening military ties

A long diplomatic tradition

“Very irritated by the caricatural image that many foreign media give of Sweden”, a dignitary of foreign affairs in Stockholm wishes to recall: “Sweden has a long diplomatic tradition and it is in its third European presidency.” Moreover, its ambassador in Brussels, the very experienced Lars Danielsson, agrees. “When you hold the presidency, your duty is not to impose the positions of your own country, but to be an honest mediator between the positions of the 27.”

At Berlaymont, headquarters of the European Commission, people are wary ofÅkesson but we do not dramatize the semester to come. An officer remembers that Brussels has seen others during the last presidencies, for example with the Czechs, whose government fell along the way, or with the very novice Romania, for which it was the first. “We did well! Nearly 3,000 senior European officials are still there to help.” In the meantime, the European barnum travels to Kiruna where, at this freezing time of the year, the sun only comes out for 3 hours a day. All the more reason for the Swedes to try to move Europe forward, in warm and cozy living rooms, by betting on rapprochement and proximity.