2026-04-012025/26:UU7 · p.4UUForeign affairs
Western Sahara
Sweden's position on the Western Sahara issue
What's at stake: The conflict over Western Sahara has lasted more than 50 years, with low-intensity fighting and a difficult human rights situation, both in the occupied territory and in the refugee camps in Algeria. Sweden's position can affect pressure toward a resolution and the Western Saharan people's prospects for self-determination.
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 Sweden should hold to its support for Western Sahara's right to self-determination and a UN-led process, or whether Sweden should instead support Morocco's autonomy plan for the territory.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee recommends rejecting the proposals, noting that work toward a political solution continues under UN leadership, including through the Secretary-General's envoy, and that the UN Security Council recently extended the mandate of the Minurso mission without expanding it to include a human-rights component.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 8 (S)
S rejects Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara and support for it, and calls for the government to review how Sweden can strengthen its role on the issue. The reasoning is Western Sahara's recognised right to self-determination and the deteriorating situation for the civilian population in the occupied territory and for refugees in the camps.
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: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 8 by S.
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 0/0/17/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| S | No | No 0/90/0/16 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | Abstain 0/0/15/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 19/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| L | No | Yes 12/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | Yes | Yes 55/0/0/11 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 59/0/0/11 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2025/26:852 by Magnus Manhammar (S) and 2025/26:2776 by Håkan Svenneling et al. (V) demand 24.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2025/26:852 av Magnus Manhammar (S) och 2025/26:2776 av Håkan Svenneling m.fl. (V) yrkande 24.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag said no to approximately 125 proposals in motions from the general motion period 2024 and 2025 concerning international relations, among other things because of the government's ongoing work on these matters. The proposals concern, among other things, the direction of foreign policy, the Foreign Service's organisation and mandate, relations with African countries, Western Sahara, Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to protect and develop multilateralism and the rules-based international order. (S) — Reservation 8
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 plan states that all countries and regions shall be able to control their production and natural resources and that Sweden shall be a steady voice for human rights, peace, and national self-determination.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that all countries and regions shall be able to control their production and natural resources and that Sweden shall be a steady voice for human rights, peace, and national self-determination. Through the UN, crimes against international law by powerful military nations can be countered. Distancing from an autonomy plan that disregards Western Sahara's recognized right to self-determination and strengthening Sweden's role follows directly from this.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att alla länder och regioner ska kunna kontrollera sin produktion och sina naturresurser och att Sverige ska vara en stadig röst för mänskliga rättigheter, fred och nationellt självbestämmande. Genom FN ska starka militärmakters brott mot internationell lag kunna motverkas. Att ta avstånd från en autonomiplan som åsidosätter Västsaharas erkända rätt till självbestämmande och stärka Sveriges roll följer direkt av detta.
- national self-determinationdecisive»regioner ska ges möjlighet att kontrollera sin produktion, sina finansiella flöden och sina naturresurser.« (party programme ↗)“regions shall be given the opportunity to control their production, their financial flows, and their natural resources.”
- voice for international law and human rights»en stadig röst i världen som talar för mänskliga rättigheter, fred och« (party programme ↗)“a steady voice in the world that speaks for human rights, peace, and”
- combat violations of international law»Sverige. Genom FN får även små länder en röst och starka militärmakters brott mot internationell lag kan uppmärksammas och motverkas.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden. Through the UN, even small countries get a voice and powerful military nations' crimes against international law can be highlighted and countered.”
- international solidarity»I en rättvis värld måste den globala ojämlikheten kraftigt minskas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“In a just world, global inequality must be significantly reduced.”
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.
The plan asserts that the party stands in solidarity with oppressed peoples denied the opportunity to decide their own future, and makes international law the foundation of foreign policy.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan asserts that the party stands in solidarity with oppressed peoples denied the opportunity to decide their own future, and makes international law the foundation of foreign policy. Rejecting an autonomy plan that sets aside Western Sahara's recognised right to self-determination and instead strengthening Sweden's role follows from this. The plan does not mention Western Sahara, so the position is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att partiet står i solidaritet med förtryckta folk som förvägras möjligheten att själva bestämma över sin framtid, och gör folkrätten till grunden för utrikespolitiken. Att avvisa en autonomiplan som åsidosätter Västsaharas erkända rätt till självbestämmande och i stället stärka Sveriges roll följer av det. Planen nämner inte Västsahara, så ställningstagandet är härlett.
- solidarity with oppressed peoplesdecisive»I en lång tradition står socialdemokratin i solidaritet med förtryckta folk som förvägras« (party programme ↗)“In a long tradition social democracy stands in solidarity with oppressed peoples denied”
- right to self-determination»möjligheten att själva bestämma över sin framtid och är utsatta för krig och förföljelse.« (party programme ↗)“the opportunity to decide their own future and subjected to war and persecution.”
- international law defended»Försvar för folkrätten och en regelbaserad världsordning.« (party programme ↗)“Defence of international law and a rules-based world order.”
- UN's role upheld»Vi kommer att fortsätta värna FN:s roll i arbetet för folkrätten och det internationella samarbetet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We will continue to uphold the UN's role in work for international law and international cooperation.”
The plan establishes that all countries regardless of size have equal right to shape their own future, that Sweden should always support people's striving for freedom and self-determination and that Sweden should defend a world order based on international law.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that all countries regardless of size have equal right to shape their own future, that Sweden should always support people's striving for freedom and self-determination and that Sweden should defend a world order based on international law. Taking distance from an autonomy plan that disregards Western Sahara's recognised right to self-determination and instead strengthening Sweden's role follows from these commitments. The plan does not mention Western Sahara, so the position is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att alla länder oavsett storlek har lika rätt att forma sin egen framtid, att Sverige alltid ska stötta människors strävan efter frihet och självbestämmande och att Sverige ska försvara en världsordning baserad på folkrätten. Att ta avstånd från en autonomiplan som åsidosätter Västsaharas erkända rätt till självbestämmande och i stället stärka Sveriges roll följer av dessa åtaganden. Planen nämner inte Västsahara, varför ställningstagandet är härlett.
- right to self-determinationdecisive»Vi kommer alltid att stötta människors strävan efter frihet och självbestämmande.« (party programme ↗)“We will always support people's striving for freedom and self-determination.”
- defence of international law»Här har Sverige en oerhört viktig roll att spela genom att vara en försvarare av en världsordning baserad på folkrätten.« (party programme ↗)“Here Sweden has an extremely important role to play by being a defender of a world order based on international law.”
- no power dictates over small nations»Vi vill se en värld där alla länder, oavsett storlek, har lika rätt att forma sin egen framtid och där makt inte missbrukas för att exploatera andra.« (party programme ↗)“We want to see a world where all countries, regardless of size, have equal right to shape their own future and where power is not misused to exploit others.”
- anti-colonial stance»Miljöpartiet är ett antikolonialt parti som påtalar och verkar emot den nykolonialism som breder ut sig i många delar av världen.« (party programme ↗)“The Greens are an anti-colonial party that highlights and works against the neo-colonialism that is spreading in many parts of the world.”
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.
The plan does not mention Western Sahara, but makes the protection of universal human freedoms and rights the foreign policy's ultimate goal and describes the protection of human rights as the whole world's responsibility.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not mention Western Sahara, but makes the protection of universal human freedoms and rights the foreign policy's ultimate goal and describes the protection of human rights as the whole world's responsibility. A strengthened Swedish role in support of self-determination and a worsened civil population's situation follow from the nearest principle. The plan moreover wants Sweden to assist in peace operations under UN leadership.
Original (Swedish)
Planen nämner inte Västsahara, men gör värnandet av universella mänskliga fri- och rättigheter till utrikespolitikens yttersta syfte och beskriver skyddet av mänskliga rättigheter som hela världens ansvar. En stärkt svensk roll till stöd för självbestämmande och en försämrad civilbefolknings situation följer av den närmast liggande principen. Planen vill också att Sverige bistår i fredsinsatser under FN-ledning.
- HR as foreign policy goaldecisive»Utrikes- och säkerhetspolitiken syftar ytterst till att värna universella mänskliga fri- och rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“Foreign and security policy ultimately aims to protect universal human freedoms and rights.”
- global HR responsibility»Fred, skyddet av mänskliga rättigheter och hållbar utveckling är hela världens ansvar.« (party programme ↗)“Peace, protection of human rights and sustainable development are the whole world's responsibility.”
- peace operations under UN leadership»Centerpartiet vill att Sverige ska bistå i internationella fredsinsatser, gärna i ökad utsträckning under direkt FN-ledning.« (party programme ↗)“The Centre Party wants Sweden to assist in international peace operations, preferably in increased extent under direct UN leadership.”
- do not compromise with ideals»inte kompromissar med våra ideal utan förenas i en strävan efter alla människors fri- och rättigheter« (party programme ↗)“not compromise with our ideals but are united in a quest for all people's freedoms and rights”
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.
The documents do not mention Western Sahara, but state that the aim of foreign policy is a freer world for all and that Sweden shall be a strong voice that supports people who challenge oppression.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The documents do not mention Western Sahara, but state that the aim of foreign policy is a freer world for all and that Sweden shall be a strong voice that supports people who challenge oppression. A values-driven foreign policy speaks for Sweden taking active positions for self-determination and for the situation of the civilian population rather than supporting a one-sided autonomy plan. The plan simultaneously gives the UN a special position in conflict resolution, which sets the framework for how the role should be strengthened.
Original (Swedish)
Dokumenten nämner inte Västsahara, men slår fast att målet för utrikespolitiken är en friare värld för alla och att Sverige ska vara en stark röst som ger stöd åt människor som utmanar förtrycket. En värderingsstyrd utrikespolitik talar för att Sverige tar aktiv ställning för självbestämmande och för civilbefolkningens situation snarare än att stödja en ensidig autonomiplan. Planen ger samtidigt FN särställning i konfliktlösning, vilket sätter ramen för hur rollen bör stärkas.
- freer world as aimdecisive»Målet med vår utrikespolitik är en friare värld för alla.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The aim of our foreign policy is a freer world for all.”
- support the oppressed»Sverige ska vara en stark röst för dessa värden och ge stöd åt de människor som utmanar förtrycket.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be a strong voice for these values and support the people who challenge oppression.”
- values-driven foreign policy»Vi kallar det för vad det är: en ny värderingsstyrd utrikespolitik.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We call it what it is: a new values-driven foreign policy.”
- the UN's role in conflict resolution»Förenta nationerna (FN) har en särställning som den viktigaste globala aktören för fred och säkerhet, konfliktlösning och internationell samverkan.« (party programme ↗)“The United Nations (UN) has a special position as the most important global actor for peace and security, conflict resolution and international cooperation.”
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.
The plan is based on the principle of international law that peoples constitute natural communities with equal rights and the right to self-determination, and makes human rights a principal goal of foreign policy.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan is based on the principle of international law that peoples constitute natural communities with equal rights and the right to self-determination, and makes human rights a principal goal of foreign policy. Not supporting an autonomy plan that disregards Western Sahara's recognized right to self-determination, and instead strengthening Sweden's role, follows from this. The humanitarian responsibility for refugees underscores the conclusion.
Original (Swedish)
Planen bygger på folkrättens princip att folk utgör naturliga gemenskaper med lika rättigheter och självbestämmanderätt, och gör mänskliga rättigheter till ett huvudmål för utrikespolitiken. Att inte ställa sig bakom en autonomiplan som åsidosätter Västsaharas erkända rätt till självbestämmande, och i stället stärka Sveriges roll, följer av detta. Det humanitära ansvaret för flyktingarna understryker slutsatsen.
- peoples' right to self-determinationdecisive»naturliga gemenskaper med lika rättigheter och självbestämmanderätt« (party programme ↗)“natural communities with equal rights and the right to self-determination”
- human rights as principal goal»ska vara ett huvudmål för utrikespolitiken« (party programme ↗)“shall be a principal goal of foreign policy”
- humanitarian responsibility»Det humanitära biståndet är en viktig del av det internationella biståndet.« (party programme ↗)“Humanitarian aid is an important part of international aid.”
- strong UN role»FN bör vara effektivt och starkt som organisation« (party programme ↗)“The UN should be effective and strong as an organization”
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.
The plan does not address Western Sahara. Its foreign policy focus is to protect Swedish interests with the EU and NATO as the most important…
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address Western Sahara. Its foreign policy focus is to protect Swedish interests with the EU and NATO as the most important cooperation, and to focus efforts where they make the greatest difference. Based on these nearest principles, the plan gives no support for a new Swedish position against Morocco's autonomy plan, but the basis is weak.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte Västsahara. Dess utrikespolitiska tyngdpunkt är att värna svenska intressen med EU och Nato som de viktigaste samarbetena, och att fokusera insatserna dit de gör störst nytta. Utifrån dessa närmast liggande principer ger planen inget stöd för ett nytt svenskt ställningstagande mot Marockos autonomiplan, men underlaget är svagt.
- Swedish interests guidingweak support»Svensk utrikespolitik ska värna svenska intressen.« (party programme ↗)“Swedish foreign policy shall protect Swedish interests.”
- EU and NATO in focusdecisive»EU är tillsammans med Nato vårt allra viktigaste internationella samarbete.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The EU is together with NATO our most important international cooperation.”
- focused efforts»Fokusera det svenska biståndet till de länder, organisationer och tematiska områden där det gör störst nytta« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Focus Swedish aid on the countries, organizations and thematic areas where it makes the greatest difference”
flags: citat_svagt
The plan states that Sweden should clearly mark against violations of fundamental rights and freedoms and of sovereign states' territory, and the party programme's universal nationalism gives all peoples the same right to self-determination that the Swedish nation demands for itself.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that Sweden should clearly mark against violations of fundamental rights and freedoms and of sovereign states' territory, and the party programme's universal nationalism gives all peoples the same right to self-determination that the Swedish nation demands for itself. The counter-proposal's demand to reject another state's autonomy plan and strengthen Sweden's role follows from this. However, the question of Western Sahara is not directly addressed in the documents.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att Sverige tydligt ska markera mot kränkningar av grundläggande fri- och rättigheter och av suveräna staters territorium, och partiprogrammets universella nationalism ger alla folk samma rätt till självbestämmande som den svenska nationen kräver för sig. Motförslagets krav på att avvisa en annan stats autonomiplan och stärka Sveriges roll följer av detta. Frågan om Västsahara berörs dock inte direkt i dokumenten.
- mark against territorial violationsdecisive»Sverige ska tydligt markera mot kränkningar av grundläggande fri- och rättigheter och av suveräna staters territorium.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden should clearly mark against violations of fundamental rights and freedoms and of sovereign states' territory.”
- support for self-determination»rätt till sitt territorium och stöd i folkrätten strävar efter ökad autonomi« (party programme ↗)“right to their territory and support in international law strive for increased autonomy”
- universal nationalism»nationer i världen samma grundläggande frihet och samma rättigheter som vi kräver« (party programme ↗)“nations in the world the same fundamental freedom and the same rights that we demand”
- voice for human rights»Vara en tydlig röst för den västerländska demokratimodellen och mänskliga fri- och rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Be a clear voice for the Western democracy model and human rights”
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
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:UU7)
- Committee report full text (HD01UU7)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:3107 — Internationell samverkan av Morgan Johansson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3162 — Internationellt samarbete i en utmanande tid av Kerstin Lundgren m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:529 — Inrättande av en ambassadör för religionsfrihet av Yusuf Aydin och Magnus Berntsson (båda KD)
- Motion 2025/26:1028 — Ett land i förändring av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:1033 — Sveriges utrikes-, säkerhets- och försvarspolitik av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:1047 — Solidaritet och internationellt samarbete av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:1053 — Avskaffande av vetorätten i FN:s säkerhetsråd av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:1065 — Frige Gui Minhai av Lawen Redar (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1074 — Inrättande av ett hbtqi-sändebud av Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1120 — Kinas ökande makt av Anne-Li Sjölund och Niels Paarup-Petersen (båda C)
- Motion 2025/26:122 — Israels ansvar för mordet på Folke Bernadotte av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:1305 — Svensk och europeisk Afrikastrategi av Dzenan Cisija (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1487 — Åtgärder för att stärka kampen mot terrorism och dess finansiering av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:161 — Forensisk utredning av omkomna på Dag Hammarskjölds plan av Gudrun Brunegård (KD)
- Motion 2025/26:1910 — En ny internationell Östersjömyndighet med säte i Karlskrona av Magnus Manhammar (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1928 — Republiken Kinas deltagande i FN:s underorganisationer av Boriana Åberg och Gustaf Göthberg (båda M)
- Motion 2025/26:2009 — Frigivande av Dawit Isaak av Magnus Oscarsson (KD)
- Motion 2025/26:2225 — Taiwans deltagande i internationella sammanhang av Maria Stockhaus m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2229 — Kinas tolkning av resolution 2758 av Magnus Berntsson (KD)
- Motion 2025/26:2232 — Frigivande av Ahmadreza Djalali av Magnus Oscarsson (KD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament