Stockholm, April 10 (BNA) The leader of Sweden’s second largest opposition party, in the event of neighboring Finland applying to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), proposed that his party change its position on Swedish membership, he told the daily Svenska Dagbladet.
Reuters reports that a change in position for the Swedish Democrats will mean swinging toward a parliamentary majority in favor of joining long-neutral Sweden in the coalition.
The Finnish government said it will clarify next steps in the coming weeks regarding a possible decision to seek membership.
“After that (if Finland comes forward) I aspire to go to the party council and ask us to change our minds,” the newspaper quoted Swedish Democrats leader Jimmy Akesson as saying in an interview.
“What has changed now is that Finland is moving very clearly towards NATO membership and there are many indications that this may happen in the near future.”
The nationalist Swedish Democrats said last month, after a poll showed a majority of first-time Swedes in favor of joining NATO, they are reviewing their position.