The Riksdag has hammered through the controversial military agreement with the United States.
The agreement gives the US military the right to use Swedish military bases throughout the country.
– It will facilitate the conditions for Sweden to receive support from the USA in the event of a crisis or war, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M).
The Riksdag has voted through the military agreement after a long session in the Riksdag. When the voting ended, 266 members had voted yes, 37 no and 46 were absent.
The support for the defense cooperation agreement, also called DCA, has been great in the Riksdag, only the Green Party and the Left Party have opposed the agreement.
The agreement means that the American military can use 17 different Swedish military bases and training areas all over Sweden. In addition to personnel, equipment from the USA can also be deployed and stored in Sweden.
– As propellant, ammunition or fuel on Swedish territory, it makes it easier for the US to get in and out of Sweden, it contributes to stability and security and reduces the risks of us being exposed to an armed attack, says Pål Jonson.
Yesterday 22:14
That’s why the debate on the disputed military agreement took five hours: “Filibuster”
Jonson: We have a veto on nuclear weapons
The reason why MP and V have been against the agreement is that they believe that there is no clear writing regarding nuclear weapons.
– Sweden is the only country in the Nordics that lacks agreement clauses that provide protection against nuclear weapons, says Håkan Svenneling (V), to TT.
The Minister of Defense believes that such a clause is not needed and that the US cannot force Sweden to have any nuclear weapons on its soil.
– We have an explicit veto against nuclear weapons, it is quite clear that Sweden is a sovereign country and no other country can force Sweden to have nuclear weapons on Swedish territory, says Pål Jonson.
Jonson believes that it has not been judged that there is reason to include a ban on nuclear weapons in the agreement, but points out that it was expressed in the bill and in the report.
Similar agreements have been concluded between the USA and the Baltic countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Poland.