William Molinie
modified to
06:57, January 03, 2023
The rotating presidency of the European Union has returned to Sweden since Sunday 1 January. The Scandinavian country, now led by a party supported by the far right, is increasingly turning to NATO to ensure its security in the face of the Russian threat. Where others promote a European defence.
After a major upheaval on its domestic political scene, Sweden took control of the European ship on Sunday. Integrated into the EU since 1995, the Scandinavian kingdom is led, for the first time in its history, by a government supported by the far right. Coming second in the last elections, the “Swedish Democrats” do not question membership of the European Union but intend to weigh in on the positions taken at the highest level of the State.
Joining NATO: Stockholm’s top priority
As far as migration issues are concerned, Sweden could thus join the hardest line, that defended by Viktor Orban’s Hungary. On the climate side, the far-right party is not very favorable to an ambitious decarbonization policy. And this is already reflected in the priorities announced by the Swedish presidency since the environmental issue only comes in third place behind safety and competitiveness.
Furthermore, the war in Ukraine, and recently the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, have swayed public opinion in Sweden. The kingdom, like its Finnish neighbor, wants more than ever to join NATO. The Atlantic alliance is the only one in their eyes capable of protecting them against the Russians. A reading that Emmanuel Macron does not share, who has wanted to promote a more integrated and independent European defense for several months.