Lars Ohly, leader of the Left party, said it’s time to accept the EU membership after a long standing opposition.

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The Left Party, from 1967 to 1990 known as the Left Party - Communists, will ditch its long standing demand for Sweden's withdrawal from the European Union, the last of the major Swedish parties to do so.

The switch came soon after the Green party changed side in the question. The Left party is in an opposition alliance with the greens and the Social Democrats.

In an interview with Swedish Radio Lars Ohly said that the anit-EU line has marginalised his party.

"The existence of the demand for withdrawal from the EU makes it easier for us to be pushed aside", Lars Ohly said. "Why retain a line of policy that we can not anyway in practice demand?"

He also pointed out that there are some positive aspects to the membership and that the union could be effective.

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