2025-06-102024/25:UU19 · p.2UUForeign affairs
Sweden's foreign and security policy as a NATO member
Sweden's foreign and security policy as a NATO member
What's at stake: The question concerns what foreign and security policy line Sweden should pursue as a new NATO member, amid a deteriorating security situation in Europe and support for Ukraine. The outcome affects how Sweden's role within the alliance is balanced against an independent line on issues such as disarmament and human rights.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
Parliament decides how Sweden's foreign and security policy should be reconciled with NATO membership — whether the emphasis should be on strengthening NATO's collective deterrence and defence capability, or on a more independent policy that continues to focus on disarmament and diplomacy.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee endorses the assessment that Sweden should be a credible, reliable and loyal ally that helps strengthen NATO's collective deterrence and defence capability and continued strong support for Ukraine, and sees this as a central part of Swedish security and defence policy.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 2 (MP)
The Green Party respects parliament's decision on NATO accession but wants Sweden's security and defence policy to continue to be characterised by a pursuit of peace, détente, long-term disarmament and diplomatic solutions, combined with a credible total defence and an independent foreign and security policy that upholds democracy and human rights.
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 2 by MP.
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, VVänsterpartiet
Ja 281–14Ja 167–128
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 | Yes 21/0/0/3 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| S | No | Yes 93/0/0/13 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| MP | No | No 0/14/0/4 | match | confidence: high | derived |
| C | No | Yes 17/0/0/7 | differs | confidence: low | derived |
| L | Yes | Yes 14/0/0/2 | match | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 15/0/0/4 | differs | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | Yes | Yes 60/0/0/8 | match | confidence: medium | derived |
| SD | No | Yes 60/0/0/12 | differs | confidence: medium | derived |
Committee proposal
Parliament rejects motion 2024/25:3384 by Jacob Risberg et al. (MP) claim 1.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2024/25:3384 av Jacob Risberg m.fl. (MP) yrkande 1.
Riksdag decision: Since 7 March 2024, Sweden fully participates in NATO's decision-making and thereby contributes to influencing the alliance's direction. Parliament has addressed a statement in which the government reports on activities within NATO during 2024. Furthermore, Parliament has addressed a report from the Swedish delegation to NATO's parliamentary assembly on their activities during 2024. Parliament emphasizes how important it is that Parliament gains insight and influence over the government's actions on NATO matters. Parliament and the government believe that Sweden should be a credible, reliable, and solidarity-minded ally that contributes to strengthening security and stability in our surrounding area and in the Euro-Atlantic area. It is positive that the government during 2024 prioritized strengthening NATO's collective deterrence and defense capability, including by integrating Sweden into NATO's plans and structures and through concrete contributions to NATO's activities. Parliament points out again that support for Ukraine should continue to be a central part of Swedish security and defense policy and that Sweden should support Ukraine's struggle as long as needed. All of NATO's 32 member states participate in the parliamentary assembly. The purpose of the assembly is to discuss and influence decisions about common security, create understanding for the security policy challenges that transatlantic cooperation faces, and support national parliaments' insight into defense and security matters. Parliament emphasizes the importance of the Swedish delegation for Parliament to gain insight into NATO's activities. Parliament laid the statement and report aside for further consideration, that is, closed the matter.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants Sweden's security policy to be combined with an independent foreign policy that promotes peace, de-escalation, and human rights. (MP) — Reservation 2
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 stands for peace, de-escalation and long-term disarmament and wants Sweden to be able to act independently from superpowers to avoid being drawn into geopolitical conflicts.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan stands for peace, de-escalation and long-term disarmament and wants Sweden to be able to act independently from superpowers to avoid being drawn into geopolitical conflicts. The counter-proposal's requirement that security and defense policy be characterized by peace, détente, disarmament and an independent line is the same thing in substance. The plan combines this with a modern total defense based on general military service, just like the counter-proposal.
Original (Swedish)
Planen står för fred, deeskalering och långsiktig nedrustning och vill att Sverige kan agera självständigt från stormakterna för att inte dras in i geopolitiska konflikter. Motförslagets krav på att säkerhets- och försvarspolitiken präglas av fred, avspänning, nedrustning och en självständig linje är samma sak i sak. Planen förenar detta med ett modernt totalförsvar byggt på allmän värnplikt, precis som motförslaget.
- peace and disarmamentdecisive»Världen behöver gå mot fred, nedrustning« (party programme ↗)“The world needs to move towards peace, disarmament”
- independent foreign policy»Det är viktigt att Sverige kan agera självständigt från stormakter som« (party programme ↗)“It is important that Sweden can act independently from superpowers like”
- de-escalation before arms buildup»och deeskalering. Vi vänder oss emot militarisering och kapprustning.« (party programme ↗)“and de-escalation. We oppose militarization and arms races.”
- total defense based on military service»Vi vill se ett modernt totalförsvar byggt på allmän värnplikt, med en« (party programme ↗)“We want to see a modern total defense based on general military service, with a”
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 party programme combines NATO membership with active work for détente, non-proliferation and mutual disarmament as well as active conflict prevention work.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme combines NATO membership with active work for détente, non-proliferation and mutual disarmament as well as active conflict prevention work. Respect for human rights and international law are stated as central parts of the world order the party wishes to see. The counter-proposal's demands for peace, détente, disarmament and credible total defence within the framework of membership are thus the plan's own formulation.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet förenar Nato-medlemskapet med ett pådrivande arbete för avspänning, icke-spridning och ömsesidig nedrustning samt ett aktivt förebyggande fredsarbete. Respekt för mänskliga rättigheter och folkrätt anges som centrala delar av den världsordning partiet vill se. Motförslagets krav på fred, avspänning, nedrustning och ett trovärdigt totalförsvar inom ramen för medlemskapet är därmed planens egen formulering.
- détente and disarmamentdecisive»Pådrivande arbete för avspänning, icke-spridning och en ömsesidig internationell nedrustning, med en värld helt fri från massförstörelsevapen som mål.« (party programme ↗)“Active work for détente, non-proliferation and mutual international disarmament, with a world completely free from weapons of mass destruction as the goal.”
- conflict prevention work»vill socialdemokratin delta i ett aktivt förebyggande fredsarbete, i syfte att förhindra krig och konflikter.« (party programme ↗)“the Social Democrats wish to participate in active conflict prevention work, with the aim of preventing war and conflict.”
- human rights and international law»Respekt för mänskliga rättigheter och för folkrätten är centrala delar i den regelbaserade världsordning socialdemokratin vill se.« (party programme ↗)“Respect for human rights and for international law are central parts in the rules-based world order the Social Democrats wish to see.”
- credible total defence»Stark motståndskraft i hela samhället genom betydande militär förmåga, stark svensk försvarsindustri och god civil beredskap.« (party programme ↗)“Strong resilience throughout society through significant military capability, a strong Swedish defence industry and good civil preparedness.”
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 wants Sweden to pursue an independent foreign policy that stands up for human rights and works for disarmament, and that Sweden take initiatives for international disarmament.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants Sweden to pursue an independent foreign policy that stands up for human rights and works for disarmament, and that Sweden take initiatives for international disarmament. It sets human security before territorial security and wants to strengthen civil defence. The counter-proposal's demands for peace, de-escalation, disarmament and an independent line combined with credible total defence are thereby close to the plan's commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill att Sverige bedriver en självständig utrikespolitik som står upp för mänskliga rättigheter och arbetar för nedrustning, och att Sverige tar initiativ till internationell nedrustning. Den sätter mänsklig säkerhet före territoriell och vill stärka det civila försvaret. Motförslagets krav på fred, avspänning, nedrustning och en självständig linje förenat med ett trovärdigt totalförsvar ligger därmed nära planens åtaganden.
- independent foreign policydecisive»Samtidigt vill vi att Sverige behåller sin militära alliansfrihet för att kunna fortsätta arbeta mot kärnvapen, för nedrustning och kunna bedriva en självständig utrikespolitik där vi står upp för mänskliga rättigheter.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Meanwhile we want Sweden to retain its military non-alignment so we can continue to work against nuclear weapons, for disarmament and pursue an independent foreign policy in which we stand up for human rights.”
- initiatives for disarmament»Sverige ska ta initiativ till internationell nedrustning och bör gå före och nedrusta utifrån aktuella och politiskt förankrade hotbildsbedömningar.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall take initiatives for international disarmament and should lead by disarming based on current and politically anchored threat assessments.”
- human security before territorial»Vi vill se en politik som sätter mänsklig säkerhet före territoriell.« (party programme ↗)“We want to see a policy that puts human security before territorial security.”
- strengthened civil total defence»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 in civil defence, and increase allocations to crisis preparedness.”
The party programme establishes that foreign and security policy ultimately aims to safeguard universal human rights and freedoms and highlights peace operations, cooperation and dialogue, while the election manifesto requires armed total and civil defence within NATO.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that foreign and security policy ultimately aims to safeguard universal human rights and freedoms and highlights peace operations, cooperation and dialogue, while the election manifesto requires armed total and civil defence within NATO. The counter-proposal's combination of NATO membership, credible total defence and a rights-based diplomatic line falls within that framework. The plan warns, however, against assuming détente and demilitarization, which makes the support uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att utrikes- och säkerhetspolitiken ytterst syftar till att värna universella mänskliga fri- och rättigheter och lyfter fredsinsatser, samarbete och dialog, samtidigt som valmanifestet kräver ett rustat total- och civilförsvar inom Nato. Motförslagets kombination av Natomedlemskap, trovärdigt totalförsvar och en rättighetsförankrad diplomatisk linje ligger inom den ramen. Planen varnar dock för att förutsätta avspänning och demilitarisering, vilket gör stödet osäkert.
- rights guide foreign policydecisive»Utrikes- och säkerhetspolitiken syftar ytterst till att värna universella mänskliga fri- och rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“Foreign and security policy ultimately aims to safeguard universal human rights and freedoms.”
- peace operations and dialogue»Dagens internationella ekonomiska beroende ökar betydelsen av fredsinsatser, samarbete och dialog.« (party programme ↗)“Today's international economic interdependence increases the importance of peace operations, cooperation and dialogue.”
- credible total defence in NATO»Centerpartiet vill rusta försvaret, stärka Sveriges civila beredskap och fullfölja inträdet i Nato.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Centre Party wants to arm the defence, strengthen Sweden's civil preparedness and complete entry into NATO.”
- no assumed disarmament»Vi kan inte förutsätta att avspänning och demilitarisering ska prägla vår värld.« (party programme ↗)“We cannot assume that détente and demilitarization will characterize our 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 states that security is created in alliances and requires significantly stronger military defense and that Russia's war of aggression shall end in complete military withdrawal.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that security is created in alliances and requires significantly stronger military defense and that Russia's war of aggression shall end in complete military withdrawal. An orientation towards détente, long-term disarmament and an independent security policy stands in contrast to the rearmament and alliance integration the plan is based on. The requirement for credible total defence is shared by the plan, however, so the rejection applies to the overall direction.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att trygghet skapas i allianser och kräver ett betydligt starkare militärt försvar samt att Rysslands anfallskrig ska sluta i fullständig militär reträtt. En inriktning på avspänning, långsiktig nedrustning och en självständig säkerhetspolitik står i motsats till den upprustning och alliansintegration planen bygger på. Kravet på ett trovärdigt totalförsvar delas dock av planen, varför avvisandet gäller helhetens inriktning.
- major rearmamentdecisive»Sverige behöver ett betydligt starkare militärt försvar än i dag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden needs significantly stronger military defence than today.”
- security through alliance»I dag skapas trygghet i allianser, inte i allianslöshet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Today, security is created in alliances, not in non-alignment.”
- hard line against Russia»Sverige ska helhjärtat stödja Ukraina i att Rysslands oprovocerade anfallskrig måste sluta i fullständig rysk militär reträtt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden shall wholeheartedly support Ukraine so that Russia's unprovoked war of aggression must end in complete Russian military withdrawal.”
- increased defence capability»Sveriges nationella försvarsförmåga måste öka.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden's national defence capability must increase.”
The plan gives peaceful methods priority over armed force, makes work for human freedoms and rights the main goal for foreign policy and simultaneously requires a total defence with sufficient resources and a defence that acts as a deterrent.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan gives peaceful methods priority over armed force, makes work for human freedoms and rights the main goal for foreign policy and simultaneously requires a total defence with sufficient resources and a defence that acts as a deterrent. The counter-proposal's combination of a peace endeavour, disarmament and diplomacy with a credible total defence and an independent foreign policy is thereby close to the plan's own formulation. The plan also attaches importance to Swedish military operations being decided independently.
Original (Swedish)
Planen ger fredliga metoder företräde framför vapenbruk, gör arbetet för mänskliga fri- och rättigheter till huvudmål för utrikespolitiken och kräver samtidigt ett totalförsvar med tillräckliga resurser och ett försvar som verkar krigsavhållande. Motförslagets kombination av fredssträvan, nedrustning och diplomati med ett trovärdigt totalförsvar och en självständig utrikespolitik ligger därmed nära planens egen formulering. Planen fäster också vikt vid att svenska militära insatser beslutas självständigt.
- peace and HR in foreign policydecisive»Svensk utrikespolitik ska främja fred, frihet, demokrati och utveckling samt mänskliga rättigheter, förståelse och försoning.« (party programme ↗)“Swedish foreign policy shall promote peace, freedom, democracy and development as well as human rights, understanding and reconciliation.”
- peaceful methods first»Aggression och offensivt krig är inte etiskt försvarbart.« (party programme ↗)“Aggression and offensive war are not ethically defensible.”
- credible defence»kan verka krigsavhållande vid säkerhetspolitiska kriser« (party programme ↗)“can act as a deterrent in security policy crises”
- independent Swedish decisions»tära insatser ska genomföras först efter självständiga« (party programme ↗)“tary operations shall be carried out only after independent”
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 counter-proposal wants security policy to be characterized by détente and long-term disarmament within the framework of NATO membership.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal wants security policy to be characterized by détente and long-term disarmament within the framework of NATO membership. The plan is based on the opposite direction: defense spending shall reach two percent of GDP, defense shall be war-deterring and deterrent and Sweden shall be an active security producer in the region. The plan's commitment to be a strong voice for democracy and human rights, on the other hand, lies close to the counter-proposal's latter point.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslaget vill att säkerhetspolitiken präglas av avspänning och långsiktig nedrustning inom ramen för Natomedlemskapet. Planen bygger på motsatt inriktning: försvarsanslagen ska nå två procent av BNP, försvaret ska vara krigsavhållande och avskräckande och Sverige ska vara en aktiv säkerhetsproducent i närområdet. Planens åtagande om att vara en stark röst för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter ligger däremot nära motförslagets senare led.
- raised defense spendingdecisive»Verka för att försvarsanslagen uppgår till motsvarande 2 procent av BNP redan år 2025« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Work toward defense spending amounting to equivalent 2 percent of GDP already in 2025”
- deterrence as goal»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 defense shall be war-deterring and deter a possible adversary from attacking Sweden.”
- active security producer»Sverige ska som medlem i Nato vara en säkerhetsproducent i vårt närområde och även få ut mesta möjliga effekt av medlemskapet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden as a member of NATO shall be a security producer in our region and also get the most possible benefit from membership.”
- voice for democracy and human rights»Sverige ska vara en stark röst för frihet, demokrati och« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be a strong voice for freedom, democracy and”
The counter-proposal wants to combine NATO membership with a credible total defence and an independent foreign policy that holds fast to democracy and human rights.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal wants to combine NATO membership with a credible total defence and an independent foreign policy that holds fast to democracy and human rights. The plan requires exactly this: a total defence equipped for war, an independent foreign policy that values Swedish interests and democratic freedoms and rights, and that Sweden shall be a voice for peace and freedom. The requirement for long-term disarmament is however outside the plan's commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslaget vill förena Natomedlemskapet med ett trovärdigt totalförsvar och en självständig utrikespolitik som håller fast vid demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter. Planen kräver exakt detta: ett totalförsvar rustat för krig, en självständig utrikespolitik som värnar svenska intressen och demokratiska fri- och rättigheter, och att Sverige ska vara en röst för fred och frihet. Kravet på långsiktig nedrustning ligger dock utanför planens åtaganden.
- independent foreign policydecisive»Den svenska utrikespolitiken skall vara självständig och primärt vara inriktad på att värna svenska intressen samt demokratiska fri- och rättigheter i världen.« (party programme ↗)“Swedish foreign policy shall be independent and primarily directed at valuing Swedish interests and democratic freedoms and rights in the world.”
- credible total defence»Återupprätta ett totalförsvar som är rustat för krig« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Reestablish a total defence that is equipped for war.”
- voice for peace and freedom»Vårt land ska vara en röst för fred, frihet och goda relationer mellan världens folk och stater.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Our country shall be a voice for peace, freedom and good relations between the peoples and states of the world.”
- peace-preserving security legacy»Svenska säkerhetspolitiska vägval har historiskt lett till en unik fredsperiod för landet, detta arv bör även i framtiden tas tillvara.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Swedish security policy choices have historically led to a unique peace period for the country, this legacy should also be preserved in the future.”
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 (2024/25:UU19)
- Committee report full text (HC01UU19)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:3360 — med anledning av skr. 2024/25:112 Verksamheten inom Nato under helåret 2024 av Håkan Svenneling m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:3384 — med anledning av skr. 2024/25:112 Verksamheten inom Nato under helåret 2024 av Jacob Risberg m.fl. (MP)
- Framställning / redogörelse 2024/25:RS2 — Redogörelse för verksamheten i riksdagens delegation till Natos parlamentariska församling 2024
- Regeringens skrivelse 2024/25:112 — Verksamheten inom Nato under helåret 2024
Source: The Swedish Parliament