Sweden’s ruling party supports joining NATO, paving way for bid

Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats said on Sunday they backed the country joining NATO, abandoning decades of opposition in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and creating a large parliament majority in favor of membership.

With Finland, a neighbor, already submitting its application for membership, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson seems certain that she will launch a formal application within the next few days.

“The party board has at its meeting on May 15, 2022 decided that the party will work toward Sweden applying for membership in NATO,” the Social Democrats saidMake a statement.

Joining NATO was a distant prospect just months ago, but Russia’s attack on Ukraine has prompted both Sweden and Finland to rethink their security needs and seek safety in an alliance they stood apart from during the long Cold War.

Although the war in Ukraine is called a “special military operation”, Moscow says it has killed thousands of people and displaced millions. It also broke down long-held security policies and generated a surge in support for NATO membership in both Ukraine and Russia.

In Finland, President Sauli Niinisto on Sunday confirmed the country’s intentions to apply, saying the region would benefit.

Also, the Social Democrat party saidThey opposed the installation of nuclear weapons or permanent NATO military bases within Sweden.

— Reporting by Johan Ahlander, Simon Johnson and Niklas Pollard