Sweden could be the next country to turn its back on the EU, an MEP who branded Brexit 'a breath of fresh air' has claimed.

Sweden Democrat MEP Peter Lundgren earlier this week likened Article 50 being triggered to 'D-Day', and he now predicts a similar referendum will soon be held in his homeland.

As the letter signalling Britain's intention to leave the EU was handed over on Wednesday, Mr Lundgren said: 'The British people have shown the rest of Europe it's possible to leave. At last we have a breath of fresh air.'

Sweden Democrat MEP Peter Lundgren, pictured speaking at the UKIP Annual Conference, has claimed his homeland will be the next to leave the EU

And the right-wing politician said his anti-Europe party is growing in popularity all the time, stating it currently has a 27 per cent share of the vote.

He told The Express that Swedish voters are uneasy with the direction that the EU is taking, with a YouGov poll showing that 39 per cent favour leaving.

Mr Lundgren said: 'That’s why I believe that we will be the biggest party in the next year’s election in Sweden and we will also push the demand for having a renegotiation of the trade agreements with the European Union, for the membership.

'And we will also put it up to a referendum where people will have their say and then I’m hopeful that we also can follow Britain’s example.'

The country is set to go to the polls in September. Current prime minister is Social Democratic leader Stefan Löfven, but current polls predict the Sweden Democrats to be the biggest party next year.