The historic decision, which puts an end to 200 years of non-alignment, was taken after more than six hours of debate. Of the Riksdag’s eight parties, only the Left Party (V) and the Green Party (MP) voted no. The voting figures were 269 yes, 37 no and 43 members were absent. The decision does not mean that Sweden is now a member of NATO. It only happens after the membership has also been ratified by the parliaments of Turkey and Hungary. But Foreign Minister Billström (M) is convinced that Sweden will be in the defense alliance when NATO has its summit in Vilnius on July 11–12. – It goes without saying that we will be able to become members of Vilnius, he said in the debate before the Riksdag decision. Requires explanation The main basis for that assessment is that 28 out of 30 NATO countries have already ratified Sweden’s NATO membership. And that Sweden has strong support from the US. – This strength that we have behind us is so tangible that it is possible to make such an assessment, said Billström. If Sweden does not become a member by the summer, it would, according to him, be a questioning of NATO’s open door policy. The policy means that all countries in Europe that meet NATO’s conditions and contribute to strengthening the defense alliance will be allowed to become members. It is unclear if and when Turkey will ratify Sweden’s membership. Hungary’s parliament is expected to vote on Finland on Monday, but wait for Sweden. Billström has not received any explanation as to why Hungary divides the countries. – If it were to become a reality, I think an explanation is required from the Hungarian side. No from MP and VI in the debate before the Riksdag decision on Swedish NATO membership, V and MP had several objections. – It is problematic to enter into a military alliance with countries that are not democracies and where we see daily that democracy is shrinking, said V’s foreign policy spokesperson Håkan Svenneling.
t4-general
The historic decision hammered out – the Riksdag says yes to NATO
