Swedish not official language in Sweden

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Members of Sweden's Parliament defeated a bill to make Swedish the official language 147-145.

The move came out of a compromise by the Green Party and conservative parties. Although most people speak Swedish, it isn't official as far as the law is concerned, The Local reports.

Finland and the European Union recognize Swedish as an official language.

Green Party member Leif Bjornlod said making the language official would force all documents produced by the government to be written in Swedish. That, he said, would help in work with the EU.

He said they'll try again next year to make it the official language.