2025-06-102024/25:UU14 · p.4UUForeign affairs
Foreign policy, security policy and crisis preparedness
Nordic security and defence cooperation and the question of a nuclear-weapon-free zone
What's at stake: The question concerns how Sweden's security and defence policy should be shaped as a NATO member, and whether membership should be combined with special restrictions on nuclear weapons. The outcome affects Sweden's stance within the alliance's nuclear doctrine and the direction of Nordic defence cooperation.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
Parliament decides whether the deepened Nordic security and defence cooperation within NATO is sufficient, or whether Sweden should also work for a nuclear-weapon-free Nordic zone and legislation banning nuclear weapons on Swedish territory.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee emphasises that Nordic defence cooperation now takes place between NATO allies, which creates conditions for deeper security and defence policy cooperation, including through a proposed Nordic-Baltic defence and security commission, and considers this the right way forward rather than separate initiatives such as a nuclear-weapon-free zone.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 7 (V)
The Left Party argues that NATO membership has in practice changed Sweden's stance on nuclear weapons, since NATO is a nuclear alliance in which American nuclear weapons serve as an ultimate security guarantee, regrets that Sweden made no statements of its own on nuclear weapons upon accession, and wants Sweden to work for a nuclear-weapon-free Nordic zone and legislate against nuclear weapons on 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: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 7 by V.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
The decision would have held
Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: SSocialdemokraterna
Ja 242–21Ja 149–114
Counterfactual: the parties above are moved to the position their own documents explicitly point at, carrying their whole contingent present. Every other party keeps its real figures, including dissenters and absentees.
How the AI parties would have voted
For each party: what its own plan – election manifesto and party programme – argues for in this case, next to how the party actually voted. The AI can only answer Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| AI | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/21/0/3 | match | confidence: high | explicit |
| S | No | Yes 93/0/0/13 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| MP | No | Abstain 0/0/14/4 | differs | confidence: high | explicit |
| C | Yes | Abstain 0/0/17/7 | differs | confidence: medium | derived |
| L | Yes | Yes 14/0/0/2 | match | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | Yes | Yes 15/0/0/4 | match | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | Yes | Yes 59/0/0/9 | match | confidence: high | derived |
| SD | Yes | Yes 60/0/0/12 | match | confidence: medium | derived |
Committee proposal
Parliament rejects the motions 2024/25:3162 by Kerstin Lundgren et al. (C) demand 41 in this part, 2024/25:3217 by Amanda Lind et al. (MP) demand 92, 2024/25:3365 by Håkan Svenneling et al. (V) demand 12, 2024/25:3376 by Catarina Deremar and Ulrika Liljeberg (both C) demand 2 and 2024/25:3378 by Angelika Bengtsson et al. (SD) demand 1.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:3162 av Kerstin Lundgren m.fl. (C) yrkande 41 i denna del, 2024/25:3217 av Amanda Lind m.fl. (MP) yrkande 92, 2024/25:3365 av Håkan Svenneling m.fl. (V) yrkande 12, 2024/25:3376 av Catarina Deremar och Ulrika Liljeberg (båda C) yrkande 2 och 2024/25:3378 av Angelika Bengtsson m.fl. (SD) yrkande 1.
Riksdag decision: Parliament considers that the government should work for a Nordic defence and security policy commission to be appointed. Parliament therefore issued a formal request (tillkännagivande), an appeal to the government regarding this. One purpose of the commission, according to Parliament, would be to achieve more effective planning and coordination of defence resources throughout the Nordic region. The formal request was made in connection with Parliament's consideration of motions and a government communication on Nordic cooperation, as well as a report from the Swedish delegation to the Nordic Council. Parliament rejected the other motions and filed the communication and report, that is, concluded the matter.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to increase food self-sufficiency through a sustainable Nordic food strategy and pilot projects for emergency food production. (V) — Reservation 7
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 explicitly demands a ban on nuclear weapons on Swedish territory and works for a world completely free from nuclear weapons.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme explicitly demands a ban on nuclear weapons on Swedish territory and works for a world completely free from nuclear weapons. The counter-proposal's demand for a nuclear-free zone in the North with legislation against nuclear weapons on its own territory is the same demand. The election manifesto furthermore wants Sweden to sign the nuclear weapons convention and opposes militarization and arms races.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet kräver uttryckligen ett förbud mot kärnvapen på svensk mark och arbetar för en värld helt fri från kärnvapen. Motförslagets krav på en kärnvapenfri zon i Norden med lagstiftning mot kärnvapen på eget territorium är samma krav. Valmanifestet vill dessutom att Sverige skriver under kärnvapenkonventionen och vänder sig mot militarisering och kapprustning.
- ban on nuclear weapons on Swedish territorydecisive»Vi vill se ett förbud mot kärnvapen på svensk mark och arbetar för en« (party programme ↗)“We want to see a ban on nuclear weapons on Swedish territory and work for a”
- nuclear-free world»värld helt fri från kärnvapen.« (party programme ↗)“world completely free from nuclear weapons.”
- sign the nuclear weapons convention»Sverige ska öka biståndet, stärka FN och skriva under kärnvapenkonventionen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden should increase development aid, strengthen the UN and sign the nuclear weapons convention.”
- against militarization»och deeskalering. Vi vänder oss emot militarisering och kapprustning.« (party programme ↗)“and de-escalation. We oppose militarization and arms races.”
The party programme explicitly states that there shall be no nuclear weapons on Swedish territory and drives military disarmament as a goal with a world free from weapons of mass destruction as the objective.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme explicitly states that there shall be no nuclear weapons on Swedish territory and drives military disarmament as a goal with a world free from weapons of mass destruction as the objective. The counter-proposal's demand for a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Nordic region with legislation against nuclear weapons on one's own territory is the same commitment. That the plan simultaneously embraces NATO membership does not change the explicit wording about Swedish territory.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet anger uttryckligen att det inte ska finnas kärnvapen på svenskt territorium och driver på för nedrustning med en värld fri från massförstörelsevapen som mål. Motförslagets krav på en kärnvapenfri zon i Norden med lagstiftning mot kärnvapen på eget territorium är samma åtagande. Att planen samtidigt bejakar Nato-medlemskapet ändrar inte den uttryckliga skrivningen om svenskt territorium.
- no nuclear weapons in Swedendecisive»Inga kärnvapen på svenskt territorium.« (party programme ↗)“No nuclear weapons on Swedish territory.”
- international disarmament»Pådrivande arbete för avspänning, icke-spridning och en ömsesidig internationell nedrustning, med en värld helt fri från massförstörelsevapen som mål.« (party programme ↗)“Driving work for relaxation, non-proliferation and a mutual international disarmament, with a world entirely free from weapons of mass destruction as the goal.”
- world free from nuclear weapons»Vi fördömer allt hot om användning av kärnvapen och fortsätter verka för det enda rimliga slutmålet: en värld fri från kärnvapen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We condemn all threats of nuclear weapons use and continue to work for the only reasonable ultimate goal: a world free from nuclear weapons.”
- Nordic cooperation in NATO»Utvecklat nordiskt samarbete, också inom säkerhetspolitiken med hela Norden med i Nato.« (party programme ↗)“Developed Nordic cooperation, also within security policy with all the Nordic region in NATO.”
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 election manifesto explicitly requires a law prohibiting nuclear weapons on Swedish soil and ratification of the nuclear weapons prohibition convention, which is precisely what the counter-proposal requests for the Nordic region.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto explicitly requires a law prohibiting nuclear weapons on Swedish soil and ratification of the nuclear weapons prohibition convention, which is precisely what the counter-proposal requests for the Nordic region. The party programme wants to see a phase-out of nuclear weapons and values military non-alignment precisely to be able to pursue disarmament. The plan thus supports the requirement for a nuclear weapons-free zone with national legislation.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver uttryckligen en lag som förbjuder kärnvapen på svensk mark och att kärnvapenförbudskonventionen ratificeras, vilket är exakt vad motförslaget begär för Norden. Partiprogrammet vill se en avveckling av kärnvapen och värnar alliansfriheten just för att kunna driva nedrustning. Planen stöder därmed kravet på en kärnvapenfri zon med nationell lagstiftning.
- law against nuclear weapons on Swedish soildecisive»införa en lag som förbjuder kärnvapen på svensk mark.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“introduce a law prohibiting nuclear weapons on Swedish soil.”
- ratified nuclear weapons ban»ratificera konventionen om kärnvapenförbud och arbeta för ett totalförbud mot att använda autonoma vapensystem.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“ratify the treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons and work for a complete ban on the use of autonomous weapons systems.”
- phase-out of nuclear weapons»Vi vill se en avveckling av kärnvapen och andra massförstörelsevapen.« (party programme ↗)“We want to see a phase-out of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.”
- military non-alignment»Miljöpartiet de gröna värnar om den militära alliansfriheten och är därför mot anslutning till NATO.« (party programme ↗)“The Greens value military non-alignment and are therefore opposed to NATO membership.”
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 election manifesto binds the party to completing NATO membership and investing two percent of GDP in defence, and the party programme rejects the idea that relaxation and demilitarization can be assumed to characterize the world.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto binds the party to completing NATO membership and investing two percent of GDP in defence, and the party programme rejects the idea that relaxation and demilitarization can be assumed to characterize the world. A ban on nuclear weapons in law on its own territory would restrict the allied defence capability the plan wants to build. The plan does not express itself on nuclear weapons, which is why the position is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet binder partiet vid att fullfölja Natointrädet och satsa två procent av BNP på försvaret, och partiprogrammet avvisar tanken att avspänning och demilitarisering kan förutsättas prägla världen. Ett kärnvapenförbud i lag på eget territorium skulle begränsa den allierade försvarsförmåga planen vill bygga. Planen uttalar sig inte om kärnvapen, varför ställningstagandet är härlett.
- NATO membership and increased fundingdecisive»Sverige behöver satsa två procent av BNP på försvaret så snart det är praktiskt möjligt och gå med i Nato.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden needs to invest two percent of GDP in defence as soon as practically possible and join NATO.”
- no assumed demilitarization»Vi kan inte förutsätta att avspänning och demilitarisering ska prägla vår värld.« (party programme ↗)“We cannot assume that relaxation and demilitarization will characterize our world.”
- own territorial defence»Sverige måste därför kunna försvara sitt eget territorium.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden must therefore be able to defend its own territory.”
- sharpened threat picture»Rysslands folkrättsvidriga invasion har visat att vi inte kan utesluta att Sverige dras in i krig.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Russia's violation of international law in the war against Ukraine has shown that we cannot rule out Sweden being drawn into war.”
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 bases security on security being created in alliances and NATO being absolutely the most important organization for mutual defence in Europe.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan bases security on security being created in alliances and NATO being absolutely the most important organization for mutual defence in Europe. To legislate away nuclear weapons on own territory and make the Nordic region a nuclear-free zone would restrict exactly the alliance the plan puts at its centre. The plan furthermore requires significantly stronger defence, not new national limitations on common defence; the nuclear weapons issue is not explicitly addressed.
Original (Swedish)
Planen bygger säkerheten på att trygghet skapas i allianser och att Nato är den absolut viktigaste organisationen för ömsesidigt försvar i Europa. Att lagstifta bort kärnvapen på eget territorium och göra Norden till en kärnvapenfri zon skulle begränsa just den allians planen sätter i centrum. Planen kräver dessutom ett betydligt starkare försvar, inte nya nationella begränsningar av det gemensamma försvaret; kärnvapenfrågan behandlas dock inte uttryckligen.
- security through alliancedecisive»I dag skapas trygghet i allianser, inte i allianslöshet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Today security is created in alliances, not in non-alignment.”
- NATO as cornerstone»absolut viktigaste samarbetsorganisationen för säkerhet och ömsesidigt försvar i Europa« (party programme ↗)“absolutely most important cooperation organization for security and mutual defence in Europe”
- significantly strengthened defence»Sverige behöver ett betydligt starkare militärt försvar än i dag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden needs significantly stronger military defence than today.”
- rejected non-alignment»Ensam är inte stark utan bara ensam.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Alone is not strong but only alone.”
The plan makes open and close cooperation with NATO a natural part of Swedish security policy and requires a defence that can deter at security crises in the neighbourhood.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes open and close cooperation with NATO a natural part of Swedish security policy and requires a defence that can deter at security crises in the neighbourhood. A legislated nuclear weapon-free zone that binds Swedish territory would restrict precisely the deterrence and alliance solidarity the plan presupposes, since Sweden cannot remain neutral if neighbours are attacked. The documents take no position on nuclear weapons as such, so the conclusion is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör ett öppet och nära samarbete med Nato till en naturlig del av svensk säkerhetspolitik och kräver ett försvar som kan verka krigsavhållande vid säkerhetspolitiska kriser i närområdet. En lagstiftad kärnvapenfri zon som binder svenskt territorium skulle inskränka just den avskräckning och allianssolidaritet planen förutsätter, eftersom Sverige inte kan stå neutralt om grannländer anfalls. Dokumenten tar inte ställning till kärnvapen som sådana, så slutsatsen är härledd.
- close NATO cooperationdecisive»med NATO bör, givet nämnda kriterier, vara en naturlig del av svensk säkerhetspolitik.« (party programme ↗)“with NATO should, given the criteria mentioned, be a natural part of Swedish security policy.”
- war-deterring defence capability»kan verka krigsavhållande vid säkerhetspolitiska kriser« (party programme ↗)“can deter at security crises”
- solidarity with neighbours»neutrala om våra grannländer anfalls.« (party programme ↗)“neutral if our neighbours are attacked.”
- defence but not offensive war»Aggression och offensivt krig är inte etiskt försvarbart.« (party programme ↗)“Aggression and offensive war are not ethically defensible.”
The counter-proposal wants to make the Nordic region a nuclear-weapons-free zone with legislation against nuclear weapons on its own territory.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal wants to make the Nordic region a nuclear-weapons-free zone with legislation against nuclear weapons on its own territory. The plan is built on full NATO membership and on a war-deterrent defence that deters an attacker, which is incompatible with formally renouncing the alliance's ultimate security guarantee. The plan also wants Sweden to get maximum benefit from membership and sets a high ambition level as an ally.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslaget vill göra Norden till en kärnvapenfri zon med lagstiftning mot kärnvapen på eget territorium. Planen bygger på fullvärdigt medlemskap i Nato och på ett krigsavhållande försvar som avskräcker en angripare, vilket är oförenligt med att i lag avsäga sig alliansens yttersta säkerhetsgaranti. Planen vill dessutom att Sverige ska få ut mesta möjliga effekt av medlemskapet och sätter en hög ambitionsnivå som allierad.
- full NATO membershipdecisive»Vi ska vara en fullvärdig medlem i Nato« (party programme ↗)“We shall be a full member of NATO”
- war-deterrent deterrence»Målet är att det svenska försvaret ska vara krigsavhållande och avskräcka en eventuell motståndare från att angripa Sverige.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The goal is that Swedish defence shall be war-deterrent and deter a potential adversary from attacking Sweden.”
- high ambition as ally»Moderaterna vill sätta en hög ambitionsnivå för Sverige som blivande Natomedlem.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Moderates want to set a high ambition level for Sweden as an incoming NATO member.”
- long-standing NATO commitment»Vi välkomnar därför att Sverige ska gå med i Nato, en fråga vi drivit under 20 års tid.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We therefore welcome Sweden joining NATO, a matter we have driven for 20 years.”
The plan sees defence as the ultimate guarantee for the nation's freedom and wants to restore a total defence equipped for war with a war-deterring capability.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan sees defence as the ultimate guarantee for the nation's freedom and wants to restore a total defence equipped for war with a war-deterring capability. A nuclear-weapons-free zone with legislation against nuclear weapons on its own territory would limit the deterrence that NATO cooperation according to the plan provides. The plan explicitly affirms defence alliances such as NATO as a means to strengthen Swedish security.
Original (Swedish)
Planen ser försvaret som den yttersta garanten för nationens frihet och vill återupprätta ett totalförsvar rustat för krig med en krigsavhållande förmåga. En kärnvapenfri zon med lagstiftning mot kärnvapen på eget territorium skulle begränsa den avskräckning som Natosamarbetet enligt planen ger. Planen bejakar uttryckligen försvarsallianser som Nato som ett medel att stärka svensk säkerhet.
- NATO strengthens securitydecisive»Genom bilaterala- och internationella avtal, samarbeten och försvarsallianser såsom Nato, stärker vi vår säkerhet och värnar Sveriges försvars- och säkerhetspolitiska intressen.« (party programme ↗)“Through bilateral and international agreements, cooperation and defence alliances such as NATO, we strengthen our security and protect Sweden's defence and security policy interests.”
- war-deterring total defence»Återupprätta ett totalförsvar som är rustat för krig« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Restore a total defence equipped for war”
- defence as ultimate guarantee»Sverigedemokraterna ser det militära försvaret som den yttersta garanten för bevarandet av vår demokrati, vår frihet, vårt nationella självbestämmande och vår kulturella särart.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden Democrats see military defence as the ultimate guarantee for preserving our democracy, our freedom, our national self-determination and our cultural distinctiveness.”
- deepened Nordic defence»Fördjupa det nordiska försvars- och säkerhetssamarbetet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Deepen Nordic defence and security cooperation”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:UU14)
- Committee report full text (HC01UU14)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:117 — Lagstiftning utan gränshinder av Kjell-Arne Ottosson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1200 — En fungerande arbetsmarknad i hela Öresundsområdet av Niels Paarup-Petersen (C)
- Motion 2024/25:1442 — Arktis av Aron Emilsson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:2095 — Nationell Öresundsagenda av Noria Manouchi m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2024/25:2613 — En grön klimathandlingsplan för Sverige 2025 av Elin Söderberg m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:295 — Införande av ett nordiskt gränsboendeintyg av Kjell-Arne Ottosson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:3014 — Internationellt kris- och hälsosamarbete av Markus Wiechel (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:3023 — Försvar och samhällets krisberedskap av Peter Hultqvist m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3038 — Stärkt beredskap och ett robustare samhälle av Daniel Helldén m.fl. (MP)
- 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 2024/25:3217 — Utbildning och forskning för ett hållbart samhälle av Amanda Lind m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:3365 — med anledning av skr. 2024/25:90 Nordiskt samarbete 2024 av Håkan Svenneling m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:3376 — med anledning av skr. 2024/25:90 Nordiskt samarbete 2024 av Catarina Deremar och Ulrika Liljeberg (båda C)
- Motion 2024/25:3378 — med anledning av skr. 2024/25:90 Nordiskt samarbete 2024 av Angelika Bengtsson m.fl. (SD)
- Framställning / redogörelse 2024/25:NR1 — Nordiska rådets svenska delegations redogörelse för verksamheten under 2024
- Regeringens skrivelse 2024/25:90 — Nordiskt samarbete 2024
Source: The Swedish Parliament