The Swedish defense capability must be strengthened, says the Swedish Prime Minister. Two percent of Sweden’s gross national product will go to the Swedish Armed Forces.
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– Sweden’s defense capability must be greatly strengthened, says Magdalena Andersson at the press conference.
She refers to the war in Ukraine, and says that they must continue to strengthen the Swedish defense capability.
The allocation to the Swedish Armed Forces increases to 2 percent of GDP, Andersson states.
– We want to get there as soon as possible, Andersson says.
The increase entails an annual cost of 108 billion Swedish kroner, against the current defense budget of around 66 billion, writes the news agency TT.
The Minister of Defense in Sweden, Peter Hultqvist, is in negotiations with the Defense Committee.
The strengthening of the defense will create more security and safety, but will entail costs, says Minister of Finance Mikael Damberg.
– This is the right thing to do in a changed security policy situation, says Damberg.
Must prepare for military service
As part of the strengthening also includes conscription. Andersson states that many will be affected by this strengthening and that the Swedes must adapt to do their part to strengthen the Swedish defense.
It will also mean more military service.
– Here I want to be clear: more young people will in the long run have to prepare to do military service and contribute to the military defense.
She emphasized that it is a matter of building a national defense, a total defense of the Swedish people and for the Swedish people.
– It is a big and comprehensive decision, which takes many many years. We want to implement this in a realistic and systematic way, says Hultqvist about the strengthening of the defense.
Controversy over NATO membership
Andersson has been the subject of debate recently after her statement that a Swedish NATO membership will destabilize Europe.
– If Sweden were to choose to submit an application, it would further destabilize this part of Europe and increase tensions. Sweden would have helped to destabilize the situation, Andersson said during a press conference on Tuesday.
The opposition believes the statement is “very unfortunate” in the current situation.
Support for Sweden joining NATO has increased significantly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Several Swedish political parties have encouraged party leaders to start a discussion about a possible membership.
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, the leader of the Swedish Social Democrats, has rejected these requests.
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