Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats have backed the country’s NATO membership.
This step – when formally confirmed – would end a two-hundred-year policy of neutrality, despite cooperation with the alliance in recent years.
Applying for membership – as confirmed today by Finland – seems almost certain.
The reason is that the support of the Social Democrats creates a serious majority in parliament, which is “for” accession.
Moods in Sweden, whose residents have long supported neutrality, changed with the war in Ukraine.
From now on, the formal submission of an application by Prime Minister Magdalena Anderson is a matter of days.
“Yes”, but with reservations
However, the statement announcing the position of the Social Democrats states: that the party is against the deployment of nuclear weapons and “permanent bases” on Swedish territory.
The details of what “permanent bases” mean are not specified, but this position is defined as “unilateral reservations” that the Social Democrats will express if the country’s request is approved. The details are expected to be presented at a party press conference shortly.
For attitudes in Stockholm, there was a slightly lower degree of certainty as to whether a membership application would be made than the positions already expressed by Helsinki.
On Friday, a parliamentary report involving various political forces indicated that joining NATO would significantly strengthen the Scandinavian country’s national security. The final decision is expected in the evening.
