From a column at "opinions" at the Hela Gotland
We will not get rid of the royal house
The SOM Institute, which regularly measures the people's attitude to the monarchy, shows that just over a fifth of the people wants to abolish the monarchy. More than half want to preserve it, and the rest have no opinion. The figures have also been relatively steady, despite the scandals and weddings. The support is strong, no matter how you twist and turn the numbers. In all social classes, all parts of the country and in all age groups a clear majority wants to retain the monarchy.
Almost all politicians in the parliament are for republic. There are clear democratic and political points of becoming a republic. Firstly, it goes against basic democratic principles that the head of state is determined by heredity and not by the people. And we have currently too little transparency in the court and how our tax money is spent.
But it's not quite as simple just abolish the millenary tradition that the monarchy represents. Now and then a small window appears when the Republican political currents can have an outlet. Such window was in the 1970s. Olof Palme said when the new Constitution was adopted in 1976 that Sweden was now "stroke of a pen away from the republic". 68-generation left currents did not give in, and the stable foundation for the monarchy seemed to bend. Then the King got married with Queen Silvia - and the Republicans had to immediately withdraw from the front. Same thing at the Crown Princess and Prince Daniel's wedding. Republicans are subdued suspended and have to wait for the next window.
The attraction of the Crown Princess couple is not the only thing that puts a spoke in the wheel of the entry of the republic. A major problem is that there is no broad organization against monarchy today. It is always easiest to organize a group of people for something rather than against something - and there is no broad consensus on what the alternative to the monarchy is today. You want the king off - but then what? And the Republican Association is so clumsy in communication and messages that they are not something to put one's hope for.
Crown Princess Victoria is today by far the most popular public figure in Sweden, more popular among Swedes than all the world leaders and all politicians. The future of the monarchy - or the republic - rests on her shoulders. So one thing we can however be certain of: the day that Crown Princess Victoria becomes queen, the mirage of a republic will become even more remote.
Vi blir inte av med kungahuset - Opinion - Hela Gotland
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