Norway is the Puerto Rico of Europe, according to a British election expert, who does not think his compatriots will go for a Norwegian solution if they leave the EU.
– I like to call Norway the Puerto Rico of Europe, Simon Hix says.
Just like Puerto Rico has to comply with US rules, Norway has to comply the EU rules without any of them are being represented in the institutions that makes those rules, the election researcher and EU expert at the London School of Economics (LSE) believes.
In fact it is worse for Norwegians than for the Puerto Ricans, he concludes.
– Because Norway also has to pay for it.
Do not want the EEA
Hix do not thinks a Norwegian solution is the answer for brexit advocates who dream of more national sovereignty, less influence from Brussels and greater control over immigration and borders.
– Britain do not want the EEA. Few of the people in their camp actually promotes the Norwegian option, the LSE professor says.
– One of the main goals of the brexit-camp is sovereignty. Britain will not accept that kind of “democracy by fax” from Brussels.
Norway has in any event received considerable attention in the run-up to Britain’s referendum on EU membership in June.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today