Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson stated on Friday that if Sweden’s parliament agrees to pursue a NATO membership application, the government will not hold a referendum.
Both Sweden and Finland have been forced to reconsider long-held ideas that military neutrality is the best way to ensure national security, with both countries poised to make a decision in the coming weeks.
A referendum, according to Andersson, is a “poor idea.”
She told reporters, “I don’t believe it is a subject that is suited for a referendum.”
“Because a lot of information about national security is private, there are crucial topics and facts that cannot be aired in such a referendum.”
The Swedish parliament is evaluating the country’s security policies, with a report due in mid-May. Separately, Andersson’s own Social Democrats are considering dropping their opposition to NATO membership.
The ruling Social Democrats, who have a majority in parliament, are considered as the largest impediment to Sweden joining the 30-nation alliance.
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In September, Sweden will conduct a general election.
According to a Demoskop poll published in the daily Aftonbladet on April 20, 57 percent of Swedes support joining NATO, up from 51 percent in March.
