Noren verwachten nieuw referendum voor lidmaatschap EU na 2005 (en)

A large majority of Norwegians (70.5 percent) believe there will be a third referendum on EU membership held in their country during the next parliament, which will be elected in 2005.

A new poll conducted by Sentio-Norstat and published in the Norwegian business paper Dagens Næringsliv showed that among those favouring EU membership, 75 percent believe a third referendum will be held. A majority (67 percent) of those opposed to membership also think that a new plebiscite lies ahead.

The Norwegians would be equally divided on the issue if a new referendum on EU membership was held. A recent poll demonstrated that Norway would vote against joining the Union by 44-40, with 16 percent undecided.

But opinion seems to be swinging towards a no vote. One year earlier in a similar poll 57 percent said they would be in favour of EU membership, with 27 percent opposed.

Enlargement of the EU

The question of whether or not Norway should once again apply for EU membership has partly arisen because of the EU enlargement with 10 new countries on 1 May 2004.

The current Norwegian coalition government consists of the Conservative Party, the Christian Democratic Party and the Liberal Left. These three parties disagree on EU membership but have agreed not to raise the issue during this Parliament.

Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik from the Christian Democratic Party has been firmly opposed to EU membership for many years, but also said recently that "the question of Norwegian membership has not been settled once and for all".

Two Norwegian referenda

Norway already held two referenda on EU membership, in 1972 and 1994. Both ended with victory for the no side.

The country has a north-south split on the issue, with the northern regions strongly opposed to membership of the EU while the capital-area of Olso favours joining.