This article compares how people and political parties in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden reacted to the idea of joining the European Union between 1985 and 1997. It explains why this topic caused conflict in these Nordic countries and how it affected individual citizens and political parties. The study found that economic utility and left-right ideological position were the main factors influencing attitudes towards EU membership. It also showed that the conflict made it challenging for parties to balance winning votes and gaining power while dealing with the EU issue.