The opposition and civil society expressed concern over the vague wording of Sweden’s agreement with the US on nuclear weapons that could be stationed in the country.
According to Euractiv, parliament is voting on the Defence Co-operation Agreement (DCA) on Tuesday. The treaty will give the US access to 17 Swedish military bases, despite public fears.
The authorities announced the deal a few months before Sweden joined the NATO alliance at the end of 2023. Thus, it is a separate agreement with the US, not part of NATO co-operation. The treaty requires Sweden to protect the use of US bases and allow American troops to move freely through the territory.
However, according to Daniel Helldén of the opposition Green Party, the agreement opens the door for nuclear weapons on Swedish soil, increasing the country’s security risks.
The fact that there are no grounds for nuclear weapons in peacetime basically means that they can be used in wartime.
In response, Defence Minister Pål Jonson stated that fears of nuclear weapons in Sweden were unfounded.
Sweden is a sovereign country, and it is Sweden that decides what types of weapons we bring in. The Swedish parliament has determined that we have no need for permanent bases or nuclear weapons on Swedish territory.
Risk is real
However, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of the conservative Moderate Party made it clear last month that the country could indeed deploy nuclear weapons in time of war.
If there is a war with us on our land, which Sweden is drawn into after an attack by others, then it is a completely different situation. Then the whole of NATO benefits from the nuclear umbrella that must exist in democracies as long as countries like Russia have nuclear weapons.
The ambiguity also worried some members of the civilian population. It called for a referendum on the issue, signed by 92 intellectuals, academics, and professionals.
It means that Sweden’s defence is in practice made part of the US military. This undoubtedly raises the question of whether the DCA would mean increased security for Sweden or whether there is instead an increased risk of our country becoming involved in conflicts that do not directly concern us and of Sweden thus being involuntarily drawn into war.
Moreover, the agreement could contribute to undermining Sweden’s détente policy, the signatories declared. Nevertheless, the agreement is expected to be approved by a majority of MPs.
