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The Social Democrats want Sweden to apply for membership in NATO

Socialdemokraterna

15 May 2022

[Unofficial translation]

On Sunday, May 15, the Social Democrats' party board made a decision on the party's security policy line. The party will work for Sweden to apply for membership in NATO. The Social Democrats will thus work to ensure that Sweden, if the application is approved by NATO, expresses a unilateral reservation against the deployment of nuclear weapons and permanent bases on Swedish territory. On Sunday evening, a press conference was held from the party headquarters on Sveavägen 68.

There is one before and one after February 24th. The invasion of Ukraine shows what Russia is ready to do. Nor can it be ruled out that Russia is acting equally risk-taking in Sweden's immediate vicinity.

- When Russia shows a complete lack of respect for the European security system, we can not lean on that system in the same way as we have done before. Europe, Sweden and the Swedish people live in a new and dangerous reality, says party chairman Magdalena Andersson.

This is the reality of security policy that Sweden now has to deal with. And in that reality, Sweden needs the formal security guarantees that come with membership in NATO. The military freedom of alliance has served Sweden well, but in the new security policy reality that prevails, the conclusion is that it will not serve us as well in the future.

- This is not a decision we made lightly but after very careful consideration. We are departing from a security policy line Sweden has had for over 200 years and it also means a change in what our party congress has decided, Magdalena Andersson continues.

Finland has announced its intention to join NATO. Sweden and Finland have far-reaching military cooperation. When Finland, as a NATO member, focuses more on co-operation with other NATO countries, Sweden's defense capability decreases - at a time when it needs to be strengthened. The possibility of applying for membership together with Finland also weighs very heavily.