Swedish Democrat Party sets sights on EU referendum

Sweden's third largest party is pushing for a referendum on leaving the European Union within the next four years.

Jimmie Åkesson, leader of the far-right Swedish Democrat party, cited “major corruption crimes” and the potential effects of Brexit deal on the EU budget as two chief reasons to examine a potential 'Swexit'.

In an interview with Swedish financial newspaper Dagens Industri, Åkesson, said: “We see no point in joining a political union as the EU has become.”

He pointed to the EU’s proposed measures to deal with a $100bn gap in the budget following the UK’s decision to exit the union as a big motivation behind the policy.

Currently, Sweden pays SEK40bn (£3.4bn) in tax per year to the European Union, with that number set to increase in the wake of Brexit.

"The EU is a major corruption force where nobody has control over anything," said Åkesson.

Sweden holds elections this autumn and Åkesson wants to be reassured that a referendum on the country’s membership will take place during that term.

Despite having been described as far right and having its roots facism and white supremacist ideologies, the Swedish Democrat Party won 12.9% of votes in the 2014 election, making it the third largest party, and has experienced a boost in popularity due to the EU migrant crisis.