Swedes as EU citizens

By Kris Babic Olssen http://www.sinteza.org/swedes_as_eucitizens.htm

73% of Swedes also view themselves as citizens of the European Union. Thats less than Luxembourg, in which 87% of the population think of themselves as EU citizens, but it still is higher than the average in the 27 member countries (63%). The country thats at the bottom of the list is Greece (46%), according to an extensive study conducted by the Eurobarometer. 1 029 people were interviewed in Sweden last year, and the results show that more men than women view themselves as EU citizens, and that view is also more common among young people and those with higher educations. Swedish youngsters, like most probably, like to be naughty; to shoplift, and to drink. Yet they are less rowdy today than they used to be, according to Dagens Nyheter. New statistics from Brottsfrebyggande rdet or Br (The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention), show that 20% of all Swedish 15-year olds have shoplifted during the past year, 30% have skipped school, 40% have gotten drunk, 5% have smoked marijuana, and 25% have caused some sort of damage. Even though these statistics may seem alarming, they show that Swedish youngsters are actually getting better. The study has been made every third year since 1995, and gives a different picture than regular crime statistics. Barely half of them (youngsters) have committed a theft-related crime during the last 12month period. This is an age when these things are exciting, but people who do (commit crimes) like these, only do it a few times. Then theres a small group who has done many things, repeatedly. Whats positive is that this groups is getting smaller, says Jonas Ring, researcher at Br. One reason Swedish youth is getting less rowdy is that they are more future oriented today. Ring believes they realize its important to succeed in school in order to get a good job. Princess Madeleines future children may lose their right to the Swedish throne that is if she decides to remain in the US after her June 8th wedding. Says political scientist David Ekstrand: The law is not

formulated very clearly, so it is a problem. But the order of succession insists on the following two specifics: Heirs to the throne must be bred in and belong to the Protestant Church And heirs to the throne must be bred within Sweden. If Madeleine and Chris ONeill continue to live in the US an enormous uncertainty is added. On the other hand, according to the Swedish law, a royal born abroad doesnt necessarily mean that he or she cant access the throne. But I also dont think minimal stays in Sweden are enough, says Ekstrand. Its been three years since Madeleine left Sweden and in the Swedish national registration she is registered as emigrated. Now it doesnt look like Madeleine and Chris children will be considered for the throne, but the mere thought of that scenario would lead to a constitutional crisis, if she and Chris dont move to Sweden before the children are too old. Its worrisome, Ekstrand concludes. According to the royal Swedish court theres no end date for Madeleines stay in the US. We refrain from commenting on that, says Bertil Ternert, Director of the Information and Press Department at the Royal Swedish Court. When they split, few believed Swedish Elin Nordegren would ever be able to forgive Tiger Woods for his rather extensive infidelity. But thats what it looks like shes doing right now. According to reports the couple are back together again. A month or so ago, the National Enquirer claimed that Woods was desperate in trying to win back his ex-wife, even offering to sign a $200 million prenup for a second marriage. Then last week the two of them were seen together at a sports event in Palm Beach Florida. Could this mean the couple is on again? The couple split in 2010.