The opposition has pressed hard for the upgrading of the defense to also include investments in civil defense and total defense, with everything from healthcare, infrastructure, and food supply preparedness.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) says, at a press conference after talks with the Riksdag party leaders, that it will also be included in the discussion.
A discussion is underway about NATO also having a separate goal for civil defense, support to Ukraine, and other things that do not concern the individual country's purely military defense, says the Prime Minister.
He expects a percentage target for total defense from NATO, possibly as early as this summer, and says that an assessment is that it could be about 1.5 percent of GDP.
Unfortunately necessary
But the 300 billion kronor will primarily go to the upgrading of the military defense, with the aim of reaching 3.5 percent of GDP in defense spending by 2030.
This is the largest upgrading since the Cold War, and it is unfortunately absolutely necessary, says Kristersson.
The government and representatives of each party in the Riksdag will, according to Kristersson, directly after Easter begin negotiations on how the investments will be made and how they will be financed in the long term. The goal is to have everything clear for the budget proposal in the fall, which will be presented in September.
We cannot upgrade the military defense at the expense of the civil defense, it is the total defense capability of society that is being strengthened, said Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson after the party leader talks.
The S-leader welcomes the fact that both the financial and defense policy spokespeople will participate in the negotiations about the billions, where they will be placed, and how the whole thing will be financed in the long term.
No to preparedness tax
The Green Party and the Left Party also raise total defense, as well as the fact that part of the financing should be done through new taxes. The MP mentions, as the S has previously done, a preparedness tax.
A preparedness tax is not at all relevant, says Ulf Kristersson.
The Left leader Nooshi Dadgostar says that Sweden, in parts, is "so rundown", so that investments in, among other things, infrastructure must be included.
We are very keen on the whole being included, says Dadgostar.
