The Swedish Social Democratic Youth League (SSU) has called for Sweden to leave NATO, a stance that has been firmly rejected by the Social Democrats' foreign policy spokesperson, Morgan Johansson. Despite SSU's decision at their recent congress, Johansson emphasizes strong support for NATO membership within the party. SSU's new leader, Moska Hassas, cites distrust in the U.S. under Donald Trump as a reason for their position, advocating instead for deeper EU defense cooperation.
SSU's Call to Exit NATO Rejected by Social Democrats
SSU's Call to Exit NATO Rejected by Social Democrats
The Swedish Social Democratic Youth League's (SSU) demand to leave NATO has been met with a firm rejection from the party's foreign policy spokesperson:
– My view is that there is very strong support for NATO membership, says Morgan Johansson (S).
Over the past weekend, during SSU's congress where a new leadership was elected, the youth league decided to advocate for an exit from NATO.
The decision immediately attracted attention on social media.
However, within the party, SSU's stance is dismissed.
Morgan Johansson, vice chairman of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee and foreign policy spokesperson for the Social Democrats, believes that SSU lacks significant support on the issue.
– My view is that there is very strong support for NATO membership, which was confirmed at the party congress last spring. The entire foreign policy area passed without even a vote, he says.
Johansson does not believe that SSU's position could cause problems for the Social Democrats in the upcoming election.
– No, I don't think so. This is not a new stance from SSU; they are merely reaffirming the position they have held previously.
Pointing to Trump
SSU's newly elected chairman, Moska Hassas, has taken the same position as her predecessor Lisa Nåbo on the issue. As an explanation for SSU's desire to leave NATO, Hassas points to the political developments in the USA.
"SSU has been right in its analysis from the start: it is no longer possible to trust the USA with Donald Trump in the White House. The congress's decision on NATO withdrawal is based on our desire to see a deepened defense cooperation within the EU," she told Expressen.
Sweden formally became a NATO member in March last year.
The process of joining began in 2022, when Magdalena Andersson (S) was Prime Minister, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Social Democrats made a dramatic shift in defense policy in a short time, moving from a clear no to NATO to advocating for membership.