The NATO processSwedish voices

Crowds in Malmö. Johan Nilsson/TT  

The NATO processSwedish voices 

This is how the NATO message is received - from Skåne to Norrbotten  

Sweden's big step towards full NATO membership is getting mixed reactions on the streets.  

In Kiruna, the reception was positive, reports SVT Norrbotten. Jan Lindmark hopes for investments from the defense and NATO in the north. 

- That is positive.  

Outside Umeå lies Holmön, which has a military history. There is Eva Conradzon who thinks it is good that the lockdown has been lifted, reports P4 Västerbotten. 

- But I don't know about the basic idea. Is it a better protection or do we attract evil powers more?  

In Borås, the non-violent camp "Hope and resistance" is taking place and there were no cheers, according to P4 Sjuhärad. 

- Of course it's depressing [...] War is not the solution, says volunteer Sofia Bergman. 

Skåne's provincial governor Anneli Hulthén, a former member of parliament, says that the municipalities are better equipped for NATO entry today than a few years ago. 

 - We have had this topic of conversation since before Ukraine, but it has intensified, she tells P4 Malmöhus.  

Genre picture. Jonas Ekströmer/TT  

Defense economist: "Sweden has planned for increased spending"  

Sweden is already well equipped to become part of the NATO defense alliance, which means that the costs of membership will probably be manageable. That's according to Per Olsson, defense economist at FOI.  

- Sweden has planned for drastically increased defense spending, he says to Dagens Nyheter.  

Olsson notes that Sweden has already prepared to receive NATO aircraft at existing bases and has invested in the necessary equipment for communication. At the same time, other adaptations may be required, but it could have been significantly worse, he points out.  

Exactly how big the final bill will be is unclear. Sweden's defense budget is currently set at SEK 90 billion this year and SEK 117 billion next, according to the newspaper. 

Kerstin Bergeå Swedish Peace  

The NATO processVotes on the NATO issue 

Swedish peace critic: "Historical misprioritization"  

Not everyone is happy about the Turkish NATO announcement. Swedish peace chairman Kerstin Bergeå believes that Swedish NATO membership is "deeply regrettable" and "a historic misprioritization". 

- Is Sweden really ready to ally with this authoritarian state that has practiced blackmail to get its own policy through, she says to Ekot, referring to Turkey. 

V leader Nooshi Dadgostar is also among the critics. According to her, the agreement risks weakening Sweden's voice for democracy and human rights in the world.  

"This in a time where it is needed more than ever", writes Dadgostar