Sep 22, 2005

Scania: Regional Self-Government Threatened?


The two largest parties of Sweden joined forces on a controversial decision in the parliament and left their repsective smaller coalition parties out in the cold. There is a risk that this will happen again on the issue of the survival of the regiona
Untitled Document By Göran Hansson, Chairman of Stiftelsen Skånsk Framtid.

The two largest parties of Sweden joined forces on a controversial decision in the parliament and left their repsective smaller coalition parties out in the cold. There is a risk that this will happen again on the issue of the survival of the regional self-government

In yesterday’s Kvällsposten, the largest regional evening newspaper the headline of the editorial writer’s article read: “Do not touch Skåne!”. The strong advice was aimed at the leader of the largest opposition party in Stockholm – Moderaterna. The advice originates from a statement made by the said party leader when visiting Skåne last week. The Moderaterna centrally was, contrary to the Moderaterna in Skåne, advocating for the abolishment of the elected regional political body in Skåne – Region Skåne. On the question if he supported the concept of regional self-rule, the leader of the state level party Moderaterna said No. "Only two levels are necessary - the state and the local level."

The Kvällsposten editorial writer says, quotes: “The Social Democrats are fundamentally more centralistic than the Moderaterna.” “There is an old love affair between the Moderaterna and the nation state.” “The party leader of Moderaterna has said in other areas of politics that he picks his fights carefully. Then, why then risk a blunder (gå på pumpen) in Skåne?”

Last week the two largest parties, normally political enemies, joined forces in the Riksdag on a controversial decision in the parliament and left their repsective smaller coalition parties out in the cold. There is a risk that this will happen again on the issue of the survival of the regional self-government. There are no reasons for regionalists like me to relax. Not yet.

Source: Skaneland