American military is to gain access to Swedish bases across the country.
Today, the Riksdag is expected to approve the controversial DCA agreement.
Sweden concluded a military cooperation agreement with the USA at the end of last year, a so-called DCA agreement, which grants the American military the right to use 17 Swedish military bases across the country.
This includes military airfields and naval bases as well as sites for ground forces, scattered throughout the country, where the USA will be able to deploy military personnel and equipment, and conduct exercises.
The purpose of the agreement is for the USA to be able to quickly come to Sweden's aid in a crisis. According to the government, it also facilitates NATO's ability to defend the Baltic States and Finland.
Criticism of Nuclear Weapons
The agreement, along with several legislative amendments linked to it, is now to be approved by the Riksdag. The support is broad, with six out of eight parties in favour, but the Left Party and the Green Party are reserving their positions.
They are, among other things, critical of the fact that the agreement, unlike those in Denmark and Norway, lacks provisions regarding nuclear weapons. The addition concerning the non-proliferation treaty that the Social Democrats managed to get into the committee's report last week is not enough, they argue.
The parties also see risks in having US soldiers being subject to American law when they are here, and point, for example, to the fact that Swedish sexual offences legislation is more far-reaching than American.
At the same time, Sweden has the opportunity, in certain cases, if it considers it to be of particular importance, to take back the right to try American personnel.
Unclear Timeline
The government believes that the agreement strengthens deterrence and stability, and emphasizes that it is based on Swedish sovereignty and consent.
Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) has pointed out that no country can be forced to accept nuclear weapons against its will, and that Sweden's stance of not allowing nuclear weapons on Swedish territory in peacetime is well known and has been respected.
In wartime, it is a different matter. Recently, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that the question of nuclear weapons in such a situation may be reconsidered.
Exactly when the USA can start deploying personnel and equipment on Swedish bases is unclear. The government proposes that the legislative amendments should come into force "on the day the government decides".
The USA has concluded similar agreements with several other countries, including Finland, Norway, Denmark, the Baltic States, and Poland.
