Will Sweden apply for NATO membership? Ruling party to decide stance on May 15

The Social Democrats will hold three meetings this week to gauge party members' decision on the issue. Each of the 30 NATO member states has to individually approve the membership application of a country which applies to join the alliance.

Published on: May 9, 2022, 15:21:13 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Social Democrats, Sweden’s ruling party, will decide on May 15 its stance on applying for membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), party secretary Tobias Baudin said on Monday. “What the decision is going to be is not decided yet today. Our message is that on May 15, there will be a decision for the party leadership to take a position on,” Baudin told Swedish public radio service SR.

File Photo of NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. (REUTERS/Yves Herman)

Click here for fresh updates on Russia-Ukraine war

As Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, which it launched on February 24, and which has prompted countries like Sweden and the neighbouring Finland to re-think on abandoning their long-standing neutrality and possibly join NATO, the Social Democrats will hold three key meetings this week to gather party members’ opinion on the issue; the final decision will be taken by the leadership at the weekend.

Also Read | "We are confident": US assures Sweden, Finland amid Russian threat over NATO application

“I want to have that on the table before I make a decision,” Magdalena Andersson, the prime minister, said a day ago, referring to a report which will be submitted after a parallel, all-party security policy meeting scheduled for May 13.

Also this week, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his support for a membership application.

Also Read | Finland 'highly likely' to apply to NATO after Russia's 'consequences' warning

If both, or either decide to apply, the application will have to be ratified by Parliament of each of the 30 NATO member states, of which 28 are in Europe, with the remaining two being the United States and Canada. Though getting the signature of all 30 member states may take up to one year, Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general of the military alliance, said in March he would ‘welcome’ Sweden and Finland, and even ‘fast-track’ their applications.

Also Read | Former NATO chief says Sweden, Finland should apply for membership ‘now’

Russia, however, is likely to take an issue as one of the reasons for its invasion of Ukraine is said to be the former’s aspiration to join NATO. Under the alliance’s rules, if one member state is attacked by a third party, all other members have to help the latter.

(With Reuters inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.