2026-06-172025/26:FöU14 · p.2FöUDefence
Conditions for Operational Military Cooperation
Allowing the government to let NATO and allies take military defence measures on Swedish territory
What's at stake: The amendment determines how quickly allied forces in Sweden may carry out combat operations and other defence measures, and thus how Swedish territory can be used in NATO's collective deterrence and defence. The criticism is that the authorisation is granted without any explicit ban on nuclear weapons on Swedish soil.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The committee held that the law on operational military cooperation needs amending so the government can decide that NATO, or a state that is a member of NATO or the EU, may take military defence measures on Swedish territory, while the motion wanted precisely that part rejected because there is no ban on nuclear weapons on Swedish territory.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee holds that a modern, fit-for-purpose framework is needed so that decisions on military activity on Swedish territory can be taken quickly, effectively and with due process within the limits of international law, and that with NATO membership it is reasonable to extend authorisations previously covering Finland and the United States to NATO as an organisation and to states that are members of NATO or the EU. It recalls that the membership application was submitted without reservations, holds that there is no reason to have nuclear weapons or permanent bases on Swedish territory in peacetime, and notes that the phrase "in accordance with international law" makes clear that any measures must always comply with international law.
No No — the reservations
mot-4176
The committee motion (Emma Berginger and others, MP) wants to reject the part of the amendment that lets the government decide that NATO, or a state that is a member of NATO or the EU, may take military defence measures on Swedish territory when conducting military activity for deterrence and defence, on the grounds that there is no ban on nuclear weapons within Swedish territory.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: adopting the government's legislative proposal and rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Rejecting the committee proposal.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Abstain 0/0/21/0 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| S | Yes | Yes 105/0/0/1 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | explicit |
| MP | No | No 0/18/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| C | Yes | Yes 24/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| L | Yes | Yes 16/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| KD | Yes | Yes 19/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| M | Yes | Yes 66/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| SD | Yes | Yes 70/0/0/0 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag adopts the Government's proposal for an amendment to the Act (2020:782) on Operational Military Cooperation to the extent that Section 3 a shall be designated Section 3, Section 2, the new Section 3 otherwise, and Sections 4–5. Thereby the Riksdag approves Government Bill 2025/26:254 point 4 in this respect and rejects the motion 2025/26:4176 by Emma Berginger et al. (MP) request 1.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen antar regeringens förslag till lag om ändring i lagen (2020:782) om operativt militärt samarbete i de delar det avser att 3 a § ska betecknas 3 §, 2 §, den nya 3 § i övrigt och 4–5 §§. Därmed bifaller riksdagen proposition 2025/26:254 punkt 4 i denna del och avslår motion 2025/26:4176 av Emma Berginger m.fl. (MP) yrkande 1.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag approved the Government's proposal aimed at giving Sweden better conditions to participate in operational military cooperation within NATO and giving foreign forces better conditions to conduct military activities in Sweden. The new rules essentially mean that the Government can decide that NATO, or a state that is a member of NATO or the EU, can take military defense measures on Swedish territory when NATO or the state is conducting military activities for deterrence and defense. The legislative changes enter into force on August 1, 2026.
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The party programme requires a ban on nuclear weapons on Swedish soil, and the election manifesto wants Sweden to sign the nuclear weapons convention.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme requires a ban on nuclear weapons on Swedish soil, and the election manifesto wants Sweden to sign the nuclear weapons convention. The counter-proposal wants to stop the very part that gives the alliance the right to take military defence measures on Swedish territory as long as a nuclear weapons ban is lacking, which is the same demand the plan makes. In addition, the plan opposes deepened military cooperation with NATO and wants to tear up the host nation agreement.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet kräver ett förbud mot kärnvapen på svensk mark, och valplattformen vill att Sverige skriver under kärnvapenkonventionen. Motförslaget vill just stoppa den del som ger alliansen rätt att vidta militära försvarsåtgärder på svenskt territorium så länge ett kärnvapenförbud saknas, vilket är samma krav som planen ställer. Därtill motsätter sig planen ett fördjupat militärt samarbete med Nato och vill riva upp värdlandsavtalet.
- ban on nuclear weaponsdecisive»Vi vill se ett förbud mot kärnvapen på svensk mark« (party programme ↗)“We want to see a ban on nuclear weapons on Swedish soil”
- sign the nuclear weapons convention»Sverige ska öka biståndet, stärka FN och skriva under kärnvapenkonventionen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden shall increase aid, strengthen the UN and sign the nuclear weapons convention.”
- tear up the host nation agreement»Vänsterpartiet vill att Sverige river upp värdlandsavtalet med NATO.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Left Party wants Sweden to tear up the host nation agreement with NATO.”
- opposition to NATO cooperation»Därför är Vänsterpartiet motståndare till Sveriges allt djupare militära samarbete med NATO och EU, och vi är det enda riksdagspartiet som konsekvent värnar och vill återupprätta svensk alliansfrihet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore the Left Party opposes Sweden's ever-deepening military cooperation with NATO and the EU, and we are the only Riksdag party that consistently upholds and wants to restore Swedish non-alignment.”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The plan builds security on active NATO participation: the election manifesto calls membership the best way for the country's security and the party programme wants to see stronger European defence cooperation.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan builds security on active NATO participation: the election manifesto calls membership the best way for the country's security and the party programme wants to see stronger European defence cooperation. The counter-proposal wants to stop precisely the part that makes allied defence measures on its own territory possible, which the plan speaks against. The party programme's requirement for no nuclear weapons on Swedish territory bears the counter-proposal's ground, but the committee's line already rejects nuclear weapons in peacetime.
Original (Swedish)
Planen bygger säkerheten på ett aktivt deltagande i Nato: valmanifestet kallar medlemskapet den bästa vägen för landets säkerhet och partiprogrammet vill se ett starkare europeiskt försvarssamarbete. Motförslaget vill stoppa just den del som gör allierade försvarsåtgärder på eget territorium möjlig, vilket planen talar emot. Partiprogrammets krav på inga kärnvapen på svenskt territorium bär motförslagets skäl, men utskottets linje avvisar redan kärnvapen i fredstid.
- NATO membership as security pathdecisive»Ett svenskt medlemskap i Nato är den bästa vägen för vårt lands säkerhet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Swedish NATO membership is the best way for our country's security”
- strengthened defence cooperation»Starkare europeiskt försvarssamarbete.« (party programme ↗)“Stronger European defence cooperation.”
- no nuclear weapons on territory»Inga kärnvapen på svenskt territorium.« (party programme ↗)“No nuclear weapons on Swedish territory.”
- security guarantees through cooperation»Men nu krävs ännu mer samarbete, med säkerhetsgarantier, för att trygga vår fred och frihet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“But now even more cooperation, with security guarantees, is required to secure our peace and freedom.”
The election manifesto requires a law banning nuclear weapons on Swedish soil and the party programme that Sweden shall be a nuclear-weapon-free zone in both peacetime and wartime.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto requires a law banning nuclear weapons on Swedish soil and the party programme that Sweden shall be a nuclear-weapon-free zone in both peacetime and wartime. The counter-proposal wants precisely because of this that the authorisation for military defence measures on Swedish territory not be implemented as long as a nuclear weapons ban is lacking, which is exactly the plan's condition. The plan also rejects permanent NATO troops and bases on Swedish territory. The demand is therefore directly supported by the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver en lag som förbjuder kärnvapen på svensk mark och partiprogrammet att Sverige ska vara en kärnvapenfri zon i både freds- och krigstid. Motförslaget vill just av det skälet att bemyndigandet om militära försvarsåtgärder på svenskt territorium inte genomförs så länge ett kärnvapenförbud saknas, vilket är exakt planens villkor. Planen avvisar också permanenta Nato-trupper och baser på svenskt territorium. Kravet stöds därför direkt av planen.
- legal ban on nuclear weaponsdecisive»införa en lag som förbjuder kärnvapen på svensk mark.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“introduce a law banning nuclear weapons on Swedish soil.”
- nuclear-weapon-free zone in peace and war»Sverige ska vara en kärnvapenfri zon i både freds- och krigstid.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be a nuclear-weapon-free zone in both peacetime and wartime.”
- no permanent NATO bases»ha permanenta trupper eller baser på svenskt territorium.« (party programme ↗)“have permanent troops or bases on Swedish territory.”
- ratify nuclear weapons ban»ratificera konventionen om kärnvapenförbud och arbeta för ett totalförbud mot att använda autonoma vapensystem.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“ratify the convention on nuclear weapons ban and work for a total ban on the use of autonomous weapons systems.”
The plan's bearing commitment is to complete entry into NATO and quickly and sustainably strengthen defence, which requires that allied forces can legally operate on Swedish territory.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's bearing commitment is to complete entry into NATO and quickly and sustainably strengthen defence, which requires that allied forces can legally operate on Swedish territory. The counter-proposal wants to stop precisely that part of the legislative change and conditions it with a nuclear weapons ban, something the plan nowhere sets up as a requirement. Since the plan is silent on nuclear weapons but clear on alliance integration, it speaks against the counter-proposal's demand.
Original (Swedish)
Planens bärande åtagande är att fullfölja inträdet i Nato och rusta försvaret snabbt och långsiktigt, vilket förutsätter att allierade styrkor rättsligt kan verka på svenskt territorium. Motförslaget vill stoppa just den delen av lagändringen och villkorar den med ett kärnvapenförbud, något planen inte ställer upp som krav någonstans. Eftersom planen är tyst om kärnvapen men tydlig om alliansintegration talar den mot motförslagets krav.
- complete NATO membershipdecisive»Centerpartiet vill rusta försvaret, stärka Sveriges civila beredskap och fullfölja inträdet i Nato.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Centre Party wants to strengthen defence, strengthen Sweden's civil preparedness and complete entry into NATO.”
- rapid military rearmament»Vi vill rusta det militära försvaret snabbt, kraftfullt och långsiktigt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to strengthen military defence quickly, powerfully and sustainably.”
- territorial defence»Sverige måste därför kunna försvara sitt eget territorium.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden must therefore be able to defend its own territory.”
- protect democracy militarily»Sverige måste rustas snabbt och fokuserat; ingen ska kunna ta vårt demokratiska samhälle ifrån oss.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden must be armed quickly and in a focused manner; no one should be able to take our democratic society from us.”
The election manifesto wants Sweden to fully join NATO and together with allies defend both Sweden and our part of the world, and especially contribute the infrastructure that provides strategic depth for the defence of Finland and the Baltic.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto wants Sweden to fully join NATO and together with allies defend both Sweden and our part of the world, and especially contribute the infrastructure that provides strategic depth for the defence of Finland and the Baltic. The counter-proposal wants to stop precisely that part which makes it possible for the alliance to take military defence measures on Swedish territory. The plan sets no condition about a nuclear weapons ban and speaks for full alliance integration.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet vill att Sverige fullt ut går med i Nato och tillsammans med allierade försvarar både Sverige och vår del av världen, och särskilt bidrar med den infrastruktur som ger strategiskt djup för försvaret av Finland och Baltikum. Motförslaget vill stoppa just den del som gör det möjligt för alliansen att vidta militära försvarsåtgärder på svenskt territorium. Planen ställer inget villkor om kärnvapenförbud och talar för full alliansintegration.
- full NATO membershipdecisive»Därför ska Sverige gå med i Nato och tillsammans med USA, Kanada och våra europeiska grannar försvara både Sverige och vår del av världen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore Sweden shall join NATO and together with the USA, Canada and our European neighbours defend both Sweden and our part of the world.”
- membership strengthens defence»Sveriges medlemskap i Nato stärker vår försvarsförmåga« (party programme ↗)“Sweden's NATO membership strengthens our defence capacity”
- infrastructure for alliance defence»Sverige ska inom Nato särskilt kunna bidra med den infrastruktur som behövs för att skapa ett nödvändigt och strategiskt djup för försvaret av Finland och Baltikum.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden shall within NATO particularly be able to contribute the infrastructure needed to create a necessary and strategic depth for the defence of Finland and the Baltic.”
- increased national defence capacity»Sveriges nationella försvarsförmåga måste öka.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden's national defence capacity must increase.”
The plan makes NATO membership an integrated part of Swedish security policy, regards an attack on an allied nation as an attack on Sweden and establishes that Sweden cannot remain neutral if neighbouring countries are attacked.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes NATO membership an integrated part of Swedish security policy, regards an attack on an allied nation as an attack on Sweden and establishes that Sweden cannot remain neutral if neighbouring countries are attacked. Stopping the part that allows allied forces to take military defence measures on Swedish territory would undermine that commitment and the Armed Forces' task to safeguard territorial integrity. The plan sets no requirement for a ban on nuclear weapons on the territory, which is the counter-proposal's only ground, and the demand is therefore rejected.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör Nato-medlemskapet till en integrerad del av svensk säkerhetspolitik, betraktar ett angrepp mot en allierad som ett angrepp mot Sverige och slår fast att Sverige inte kan stå neutralt om grannländer anfalls. Att stoppa den del som låter allierade vidta militära försvarsåtgärder på svenskt territorium skulle underminera det åtagandet och Försvarsmaktens uppgift att värna territoriell integritet. Planen ställer inget krav på förbud mot kärnvapen på territoriet, vilket är motförslagets enda grund, och kravet avvisas därför.
- NATO membership integrateddecisive»vårt medlemskap är en integrerad och naturlig del av svensk säkerhetspolitik« (party programme ↗)“our membership is an integrated and natural part of Swedish security policy”
- Article 5 solidarity»betraktar Sverige ett angrepp mot en annan medlemsstat som ett angrepp mot oss själva« (party programme ↗)“regards Sweden an attack on another member state as an attack on us”
- no neutrality under attack»Vi kan inte stå neutrala om våra grannländer anfalls.« (party programme ↗)“We cannot remain neutral if our neighbouring countries are attacked.”
- safeguard territorial integrity»genom att värna territoriell integritet och utöva gränsskydd« (party programme ↗)“by safeguarding territorial integrity and exercising border control”
The plan wants to prepare defence for Swedish NATO membership and make Sweden an active and highly respected member that builds its security together with others.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to prepare defence for Swedish NATO membership and make Sweden an active and highly respected member that builds its security together with others. The counter-proposal wants to strike precisely the part that makes it possible for allies to take military defence measures on Swedish territory, which would limit the operational cooperation the plan seeks. The documents say nothing about nuclear weapons on Swedish territory, so the position is derived from the commitment to full and active membership.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill förbereda försvaret för svenskt Natomedlemskap och göra Sverige till en aktiv och högt ansedd medlem som bygger sin säkerhet tillsammans med andra. Motförslaget vill stryka just den del som gör det möjligt för allierade att vidta militära försvarsåtgärder på svenskt territorium, vilket skulle begränsa det operativa samarbete planen efterfrågar. Dokumenten säger inget om kärnvapen på svenskt territorium, så ställningstagandet härleds ur åtagandet om fullvärdigt och aktivt medlemskap.
- prepare defence for NATOdecisive»Förbereda försvaret för svenskt Natomedlemskap« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prepare defence for Swedish NATO membership”
- active NATO member»En regering som leds av Moderaterna kommer att vara en garant för att Sverige också blir en aktiv och högt ansedd Natomedlem.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“A government led by the Moderates will be a guarantor that Sweden also becomes an active and highly respected NATO member.”
- full NATO membership»Vi ska vara en fullvärdig medlem i Nato« (party programme ↗)“We shall be a full member of NATO”
- deepened defence cooperation»Verka för ett fördjupat samarbete i norra Europa« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work for deepened cooperation in northern Europe”
flags: citat_korrigerat
The party programme establishes that security is strengthened through cooperation and defence alliances such as NATO, and the election manifesto wants to rebuild a comprehensive defence that can meet potential aggressors and deepen Nordic defence and security cooperation.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that security is strengthened through cooperation and defence alliances such as NATO, and the election manifesto wants to rebuild a comprehensive defence that can meet potential aggressors and deepen Nordic defence and security cooperation. The counter-proposal wants to stop the very part of the legislative change that makes it possible for allies to take military defence measures on Swedish territory, which would undermine the alliance-based defence capacity the plan is built on. The plan is silent on nuclear weapons on the territory, so the condition the counter-proposal rests on lacks support in the documents; the conclusion is derived from the commitments on alliance-based defence.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att säkerheten stärks genom samarbeten och försvarsallianser såsom Nato, och valmanifestet vill återupprätta ett totalförsvar som kan möta potentiella angripare samt fördjupa det nordiska försvars- och säkerhetssamarbetet. Motförslaget vill stoppa just den del av lagändringen som gör det möjligt för allierade att vidta militära försvarsåtgärder på svenskt territorium, vilket skulle urholka den alliansbaserade försvarsförmåga planen bygger på. Planen är tyst om kärnvapen på territoriet, så villkoret som motförslaget vilar på saknar stöd i dokumenten; slutsatsen härleds ur åtagandena om alliansbaserat försvar.
- defence alliances strengthen securitydecisive»Genom bilaterala- och internationella avtal, samarbeten och försvarsallianser såsom« (party programme ↗)“Through bilateral and international agreements, cooperation and defence alliances such as”
- rebuilt comprehensive defence»Sverigedemokraterna vill återupprätta totalförsvaret och att Sverige ska ha förmåga att möta potentiella angripare.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden Democrats want to rebuild comprehensive defence and for Sweden to have the capacity to meet potential aggressors.”
- deepened Nordic defence cooperation»Fördjupa det nordiska försvars- och säkerhetssamarbetet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Deepen Nordic defence and security cooperation”
- response to new security situation»Rusta Sverige inför en ny säkerhetspolitisk situation i vårt närområde« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Arm Sweden for a new security-policy situation in our region”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:FöU14)
- Committee report full text (HD01FöU14)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:4171 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:254 Förbättrade förutsättningar för operativt militärt samarbete av Lorena Delgado Varas m.fl. (-)
- Motion 2025/26:4176 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:254 Förbättrade förutsättningar för operativt militärt samarbete av Emma Berginger m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2025/26:4180 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:254 Förbättrade förutsättningar för operativt militärt samarbete av Håkan Svenneling m.fl. (V)
- Proposition 2025/26:254 — Förbättrade förutsättningar för operativt militärt samarbete
Source: The Swedish Parliament