Political rhetoric has been heating up recently on one of the most sensitive topics - nuclear weapons.
The background is that France will initiate a so-called in-depth dialogue on nuclear deterrence with some European countries, including Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands.
"We are now preparing exactly the group of people who will be the team that, with different skills, will represent Sweden in this dialogue. And I also understand that there is a movement in Finland and Norway that welcomes exactly what we are doing now, without prejudging where these conversations will go," says Ulf Kristersson.
A: Take a deep breath.
The Social Democrats' Magdalena Andersson has questioned the French talks, and the government has in turn accused the Social Democrats of putting the party's interests before Sweden's security.
"This is not a spur of the moment decision, we are not shooting from the hip. On the contrary, it is an extensive process, both in formal contexts, in the government, outside the government, with the opposition and in separate conversations," says Kristersson.
I was most surprised when I received such very vague information afterwards. It's a bit more remarkable considering that these are quite serious matters in a very serious time.
On Wednesday, Magdalena Andersson wrote on X that Swedish nuclear weapons policy should be characterized by consensus, that the Social Democrats have never sought conflict around the dialogue, and that the Social Democrats have now contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify any ambiguities.
"We need to be able to cooperate on these issues and then we need to put down the battle axes and be able to have good conversations and dialogue going forward. It is important for Sweden and the security of the Swedish people and that is always what comes first," Andersson tells Sveriges Radio's Ekot.
“Backs away from his criticism”
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) writes in a comment to TT that the dialogue with Sweden was good prior to the talks with France, and that the government has therefore questioned the criticism.
"You must be able to trust Sweden in security policy and that we stand by our word. I therefore welcome the fact that Magdalena Andersson is backing down from her criticism and that her colleagues have sought contact," she writes.
