Cyrille:

But EVERYONE else was pushing the other way.

Looking from a smaller member state, and one without euro, I would say that for the Swedish political elite (red or blue) the EU have three major benefits:

• A way to push special interests
  
• Career possibilities
  
• Photo-ops with major leaders

Austerity is neither here nor there. It fits with the common wisdom, but so would expansive financial policy (the common wisdom is not unified). All the three bullet points are however dependent on keeping on the good side of the powers that be in the union. So as long as everybody is pro austerity they will be (at least abroad).

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