2025-04-092024/25:FiU34 · p.15FiUEconomy & finance

National security

National security in public procurement

What's at stake: The decision concerns how well public procurement can protect functions of societal importance, such as healthcare, during societal crises or war. It affects the balance between competition and openness in procurement and the need for stronger protection of sensitive or security-critical activities.

Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.

What the vote decides

The question is whether procurement legislation needs to change to better account for national security interests - including making it possible to apply defence- and security-procurement rules within healthcare and social care - or whether the National Procurement Agency's ongoing work and support is sufficient.

Yes Yes — the committee proposal

The committee recalls that procurement, properly used, can be an effective instrument for creating positive effects in society, and considers that the government should actively work to take national security interests into account within procurement legislation. The committee stresses that the National Procurement Agency's support for security procurements already fills a central function in safeguarding such interests, and therefore rejects the motions.

No No — the reservations

Reservation 21 (C)

The reservation stresses that healthcare is an important part of total defence and needs to become more resilient during societal crises and war. It points out that the act on procurement in the defence and security field aims to create competition in sensitive procurements and provide stronger, more tailored protection, and wants the government to promptly clarify that this act can be applied to procurement within healthcare, care and social services, so that unclear legislation does not stand in the way of better preparedness.

Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.

VSMPCLKDMSD
YesNoAbstainAbsent

What do the votes mean here?

Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).

No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 21 by C.

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.

PlanVoteConfidenceEvidence
VNoYes 20/0/0/4departs from the planconfidence: highnot addressed
SNoAbstain 0/0/93/13departs from the planconfidence: mediumderived
MPNoYes 14/0/0/4departs from the planconfidence: lownot addressed
Cown reservationNoNo 0/19/0/5follows the planconfidence: lownot addressed
LNoYes 13/0/0/3departs from the planconfidence: mediumnot addressed
KDNoYes 15/0/0/4departs from the planconfidence: mediumnot addressed
MNoYes 60/0/0/8departs from the planconfidence: mediumderived
SDNoYes 62/0/0/10departs from the planconfidence: mediumnot addressed

Committee proposal

The Riksdag rejects the motions 2024/25:3166 by Christofer Bergenblock et al. (C) point 6 and 2024/25:3194 by Mikael Damberg et al. (S) point 7.

Original (Swedish)

Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:3166 av Christofer Bergenblock m.fl. (C) yrkande 6 och 2024/25:3194 av Mikael Damberg m.fl. (S) yrkande 7.

Riksdag decision: The Riksdag said no to approximately 50 proposals that concern how both the regulations and forms for public procurement are designed regarding, for example, small enterprises, idea-driven organizations, animal protection and environmental requirements. The proposals were submitted during the general motion period 2024. The Riksdag refers, among other things, to the fact that work is already underway in the areas covered by the proposals.

Counter-proposals

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.

VVänsterpartietNoYesdeparts from the plannot addressed

The plan explicitly requires that resources to healthcare increase in order to strengthen preparedness for crises, disasters and war, and that the entire care sector be equipped to be able to scale up capacity in times of crisis.

Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The plan explicitly requires that resources to healthcare increase in order to strengthen preparedness for crises, disasters and war, and that the entire care sector be equipped to be able to scale up capacity in times of crisis. Removing ambiguity in procurement law that stands in the way of care preparedness follows from this. The plan also sees public procurement as a tool to make demands with.

Original (Swedish)

Planen kräver uttryckligen att resurserna till hälso- och sjukvården ökar för att stärka beredskapen inför kriser, katastrofer och krig, och att hela vårdsektorn rustas upp för att kunna växla upp kapaciteten i kristider. Att undanröja otydlighet i upphandlingslagstiftningen som står i vägen för vårdens beredskap följer av det. Planen ser också offentliga inköp som ett verktyg att ställa krav med.

  • strengthened preparedness in healthcaredecisive»Resurserna till hälso- och sjukvården måste öka för att täcka behoven och stärka beredskapen inför kriser, katastrofer och krig.« (party programme ↗)“Resources to healthcare must increase to meet needs and strengthen preparedness for crises, disasters and war.”
  • equipped care sector»Sverige behöver rusta upp hela vårdsektorn för att kunna klara de mer normala skiftningarna i vårdbehov men också för att kunna växla upp kapaciteten i kristider.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden needs to equip the entire care sector to be able to handle more normal fluctuations in care needs but also to be able to scale up capacity in times of crisis.”
  • robust society»Investeringar i samhällets kärnverksamheter, gemensamt ägande i nyckelsektorer och medvetna strategier för landets ekonomiska utveckling är viktiga delar av det.« (party programme ↗)“Investments in society's core activities, collective ownership in key sectors and deliberate strategies for the country's economic development are important parts of this.”
  • demands in public procurement»Vänsterpartiet ställer krav på kollektivavtal vid offentliga upphandlingar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Left Party makes demands for collective agreements in public procurement.”

The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.

SSocialdemokraternaNoAbstaindeparts from the planderived

The election manifesto explicitly commits that private healthcare providers shall be obligated to contribute staff and care beds in case of crisis or war, and that the civil defence is strengthened with emergency reserves for healthcare.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The election manifesto explicitly commits that private healthcare providers shall be obligated to contribute staff and care beds in case of crisis or war, and that the civil defence is strengthened with emergency reserves for healthcare. Clarifying ambiguities in procurement legislation that stand in the way of resilient healthcare serves precisely that purpose. The procurement law technique is not addressed in the documents.

Original (Swedish)

Valmanifestet åtar sig uttryckligen att privata vårdgivare ska vara skyldiga att bidra med personal och vårdplatser i händelse av kris eller krig, och att det civila försvaret rustas upp med beredskapslager för sjukvården. Att undanröja oklarheter i upphandlingslagstiftningen som står i vägen för en motståndskraftig vård tjänar just det syftet. Den upphandlingsrättsliga tekniken behandlas inte i dokumenten.

  • healthcare as part of total defencedecisive»Privata vårdgivare ska vara skyldiga att bidra med personal och vårdplatser i händelse av kris eller krig.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Private healthcare providers shall be obligated to contribute staff and care beds in case of crisis or war.”
  • emergency reserves for healthcare»bland annat genom ökade resurser för att rusta och bygga beredskapslager för sjukvården« (2022 manifesto ↗)“among other things through increased resources to equip and build emergency reserves for healthcare”
  • strengthened civil defence»Arbetet att förstärka det civila försvaret och krisberedskapen måste fortsätta« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The work to strengthen civil defence and crisis preparedness must continue”
  • broad threat picture»Vi måste kunna försvara oss militärt, men också mot hybridattacker, spionage och cyberangrepp.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We must be able to defend ourselves militarily, but also against hybrid attacks, espionage and cyber attacks.”

The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.

MPMiljöpartietNoYesdeparts from the plannot addressed

The plan wishes to raise preparedness for the new era's threats and to place a larger share of defence spending on civil defence, and notes that society is vulnerable when it relies on large-scale systems.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The plan wishes to raise preparedness for the new era's threats and to place a larger share of defence spending on civil defence, and notes that society is vulnerable when it relies on large-scale systems. To clarify that defence and security procurement legislation can be applied within healthcare and care is one means for a more resilient healthcare service. Procurement rules design is not addressed, so this is derived and has low confidence.

Original (Swedish)

Planen vill höja beredskapen för den nya tidens hot och lägga en större andel av försvarets pengar på det civila försvaret, och konstaterar att samhället är sårbart när det förlitar sig på storskaliga system. Att klargöra att försvars- och säkerhetsupphandlingslagstiftningen kan tillämpas inom vård och omsorg är ett medel för en mer motståndskraftig sjukvård. Upphandlingsregelverkets utformning berörs inte, därför härledning och låg säkerhet.

  • strengthened civil defencedecisive»satsa en större andel av försvarets pengar på det civila försvaret, och öka anslagen till krisberedskap.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“invest a larger share of defence spending on civil defence and increase appropriations for crisis preparedness.”
  • raised preparedness»Sverige måste höja beredskapen för att möta den nya tidens hot.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden must raise preparedness to meet the new era's threats.”
  • reduce vulnerability»sårbar för oförutsedda störningar.« (party programme ↗)“vulnerable to unforeseen disruptions.”

The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.

CCenterpartietNoNofollows the plannot addressed

The plan commits to strengthening total defence and strengthening Sweden's civil preparedness for crisis and war.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The plan commits to strengthening total defence and strengthening Sweden's civil preparedness for crisis and war. The counter-proposal wants to remove an ambiguity in procurement legislation so that protected procurement methods can be used in care, support and social services, which are parts of total defence. The fact that the state should function effectively and with legal certainty also argues that unclear legislation should not stand in the way of preparedness. The plan therefore supports the demand.

Original (Swedish)

Planen åtar sig att rusta totalförsvaret och stärka Sveriges civila beredskap inför kris och krig. Motförslaget vill undanröja en otydlighet i upphandlingslagstiftningen så att skyddade upphandlingsformer kan användas inom vård, omsorg och socialtjänst, som är delar av totalförsvaret. Att staten ska fungera effektivt och rättssäkert talar också för att otydlig lagstiftning inte får stå i vägen för beredskapen. Planen stöder därför kravet.

  • strengthen civil preparednessdecisive»Även det civila försvaret är livsviktigt. Vi måste rusta civilförsvaret och samhällets beredskap inför krig och kris.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Civil defence is also vital. We must strengthen civil defence and society's preparedness for war and crisis.”
  • strengthen total defence»Vi behöver rusta Sveriges totalförsvar, stärka hela rättskedjan, satsa på förebyggande insatser och en likvärdig skola.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We need to strengthen Sweden's total defence, strengthen the entire justice system, invest in preventive measures and an equitable school system.”
  • strengthened civil preparedness»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 NATO entry.”
  • efficient and lawful state»Centerpartiets uppgift är att se till att staten gör det den är till för, så effektivt och rättssäkert som möjligt« (party programme ↗)“The Centre Party's task is to ensure that the state does what it is there to do, as efficiently and lawfully as possible”
LLiberalernaNoYesdeparts from the plannot addressed

The plan commits to the state taking greater responsibility for healthcare preparedness and that civil defense shall be strengthened at the same pace as military defense.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The plan commits to the state taking greater responsibility for healthcare preparedness and that civil defense shall be strengthened at the same pace as military defense. Removing ambiguity that hinders the application of security procurement rules in healthcare and care serves exactly this commitment. The plan does not address the procurement regulations themselves, so the conclusion is derived.

Original (Swedish)

Planen åtar sig att staten ska ta ett större ansvar för sjukvårdens beredskap och att det civila försvaret ska stärkas i samma takt som det militära. Att undanröja otydlighet som hindrar att säkerhetsupphandlingsreglerna tillämpas inom vård och omsorg tjänar just det åtagandet. Planen behandlar inte upphandlingsregelverket i sig, varför slutsatsen är härledd.

  • state responsibility for healthcare preparednessdecisive»Staten ska ta ett större ansvar för sjukvårdens strategiska planering, placering av högspecialiserad vård, beredskap och långsiktig kompetensförsörjning.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The state shall take greater responsibility for healthcare's strategic planning, placement of highly specialized care, preparedness and long-term skills supply.”
  • strengthened civil defense»det civila försvaret stärkas i samma takt som det militära« (2022 manifesto ↗)“civil defense is strengthened at the same pace as military defense”
  • increased national defense capacity»Sveriges nationella försvarsförmåga måste öka.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden's national defense capacity must increase.”

The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.

KDKristdemokraternaNoYesdeparts from the plannot addressed

The plan gives comprehensive defence and preparedness against civilian disasters a central position and identifies healthcare as a prioritized area.

Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The plan gives comprehensive defence and preparedness against civilian disasters a central position and identifies healthcare as a prioritized area. Allowing defence and security procurement legislation to cover healthcare, welfare and social services follows from the requirement that comprehensive defence must be able to meet both military threats and severe strains in society. The plan also speaks for national security interests directing sensitive procurement.

Original (Swedish)

Planen ger totalförsvaret och beredskapen mot civila katastrofer en bärande ställning och pekar ut vården som ett prioriterat område. Att låta försvars- och säkerhetsupphandlingslagstiftningen omfatta vård, omsorg och socialtjänst följer av kravet att totalförsvaret ska kunna möta både militära hot och svåra påfrestningar i samhället. Planen talar också för att nationella säkerhetsintressen ska styra känsliga inköp.

  • preparedness for severe strainsdecisive»delta i hanteringen av katastrofer och andra svåra påfrestningar i samhället samt att delta i förebyggande åtgärder för att begränsa riskerna för sådana.« (party programme ↗)“take part in managing disasters and other severe strains in society as well as participate in preventive measures to limit the risks of such.”
  • expanded security concept»möta angrepp från internationell kriminalitet, terrorism, cyberkrigföring, biologiska vapen, kemiska vapen« (party programme ↗)“face attacks from international crime, terrorism, cyber warfare, biological weapons, chemical weapons”
  • healthcare is prioritized»Vi prioriterar vården, för alla dem som lider i väntan på vård.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We prioritize healthcare, for all those who suffer while waiting for care.”
  • national supply security»kunna svara för befolkningens livsmedels- och energi« (party programme ↗)“be able to ensure the population's food and energy”

The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.

MModeraternaNoYesdeparts from the planderived

The counter-proposal requires that it be promptly clarified that defence and security procurement legislation can be used in procurement within healthcare, care and social services, so that unclear rules do not hinder preparedness.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The counter-proposal requires that it be promptly clarified that defence and security procurement legislation can be used in procurement within healthcare, care and social services, so that unclear rules do not hinder preparedness. The plan commits to building better emergency reserves of medicines and medical equipment and to ensuring long-term planning for civil defence, since the military defence otherwise cannot fulfil its tasks. The plan therefore supports the requirement.

Original (Swedish)

Motförslaget kräver att det skyndsamt klargörs att försvars- och säkerhetsupphandlingslagstiftningen kan användas vid upphandlingar inom vård, omsorg och socialtjänst, så att otydliga regler inte hindrar beredskapen. Planen åtar sig att bygga bättre beredskapslager av läkemedel och sjukvårdsmateriel och att säkra en långsiktig planering för det civila försvaret, eftersom det militära försvaret annars inte kan lösa sina uppgifter. Planen stöder därför kravet.

  • emergency reserves for healthcaredecisive»Utöver bättre livmedelsberedskap behöver Sverige bygga upp bättre beredskapslager av till exempel läkemedel och sjukvårdsmateriel.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“In addition to better food preparedness, Sweden needs to build up better emergency reserves of, for example, medicines and medical equipment.”
  • civil defence crucial»Fungerar inte det civila försvaret så kan inte heller det militära försvaret lösa sina uppgifter.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“If civil defence does not function, then the military defence cannot fulfil its tasks either.”
  • long-term civil preparedness»Säkra en långsiktig planering för det civila försvaret« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Ensure long-term planning for civil defence”
  • protection of security-sensitive activities»Ge företag som är engagerade i säkerhetskänslig verksamhet bättre stöd från staten att kunna möta cyberattacker, spionage och stöldförsök från främmande makt« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Provide better support from the state to companies engaged in security-sensitive activities to meet cyberattacks, espionage and theft attempts by foreign powers”

The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.

SDSverigedemokraternaNoYesdeparts from the plannot addressed

The plan wants to restore a total defence prepared for war and increase self-sufficiency of critical goods, and establishes that access to medical materials must quickly be able to be scaled up for long-term disruptions.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The plan wants to restore a total defence prepared for war and increase self-sufficiency of critical goods, and establishes that access to medical materials must quickly be able to be scaled up for long-term disruptions. Clarifying that defence and security procurement legislation can be applied in care and elderly care serves precisely that preparedness. The plan also wants to develop specific crisis legislation so that unclear rules do not hinder society's crisis organization.

Original (Swedish)

Planen vill återupprätta ett totalförsvar rustat för krig och öka självförsörjningen av kritiska varor, och slår fast att tillgången till medicinskt material snabbt måste kunna skalas upp vid långvariga störningar. Att förtydliga att försvars- och säkerhetsupphandlingslagstiftningen kan tillämpas inom vård och omsorg tjänar just den beredskapen. Planen vill också ta fram särskild krislagstiftning så att otydliga regler inte hindrar samhällets krisorganisation.

  • preparedness for healthcare materialsdecisive»Sveriges självförsörjning av energi, livsmedel och medicinskt material behöver öka och snabbt kunna skalas upp vid långvariga störningar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden's self-sufficiency of energy, food and medical materials needs to increase and be quickly scaled up for long-term disruptions.”
  • total defence including civil»Återupprätta ett totalförsvar som är rustat för krig« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Restore a total defence prepared for war”
  • crisis legislation»Ta fram en särskild krislagstiftning« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Develop specific crisis legislation”
  • self-sufficiency of critical goods»Öka den svenska självförsörjningsgraden av kritiska produkter och varor« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase Swedish self-sufficiency of critical products and goods”

The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.

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Sources and documents

Documents under consideration

Source: The Swedish Parliament