Latest Sweden government News

Hungary: Criticism makes it hard to cooperate with West

Mar. 25, 2023 12:18 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The West’s steady criticism of Hungary on democratic and cultural issues makes the small European country’s right-wing government reluctant to offer support on practical matters, specifically NATO’s buildup against Russia, Hungary’s foreign minister said. ...

President seals Finland's NATO bid by signing required laws

Mar. 23, 2023 11:59 AM EDT

HELSINKI (AP) — The Finnish president on Thursday formally sealed the Nordic country’s historic bid to join NATO by signing into law the required national legal amendments needed for membership in the Western military alliance. The move by President Sauli Niinistö means Finland...

Swedish lawmakers vote to endorse country joining NATO

Mar. 22, 2023 11:54 AM EDT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Swedish lawmakers overwhelmingly voted Wednesday in favor of Sweden joining NATO, signing off on the country's membership along with the required legislation. The 349-seat parliament authorized Sweden’s accession to NATO in a 269-37 vote, with 43...

Swedish court OKs activists to sue state over climate policy

Mar. 21, 2023 08:19 AM EDT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — A court in Sweden on Tuesday allowed a group of environmental activists, including Greta Thunberg, to file a lawsuit against the Swedish state for what they say is insufficient action on the climate. The youth-led initiative Aurora, which is behind the lawsuit,...

Niinistö: Sweden security OK if Finland joins NATO first

Mar. 19, 2023 11:53 AM EDT

HELSINKI (AP) — Sweden won't be in a vulnerable security situation even if Finland joins NATO first, the Finnish president said Sunday, as both Nordic membership candidates negotiate bilateral military pacts with the United States. "It is possible that Finland joins NATO before...

Turkey's president says he will back Finland's NATO bid

Mar. 17, 2023 14:01 PM EDT

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that his government would move forward with ratifying Finland’s NATO application, paving the way for the country to join the military bloc ahead of Sweden. The breakthrough came as Finnish President Sauli...

Hungary pressures EU by delaying Finland, Sweden NATO vote

Mar. 16, 2023 12:51 PM EDT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden and Finland dropped their longstanding military neutrality and quickly signaled their intentions to join NATO, in a striking sign of how powerful Europe's security fears had become in the shadow of Moscow's war. ...

Erdogan hints Turkey may ratify Finland's NATO membership

Mar. 15, 2023 12:03 PM EDT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested Wednesday that his country may soon ratify Finland’s application to join NATO, allowing for the possibility of the country joining the military alliance separately from Sweden. Alarmed by Russia’s invasion...

Hungary to delay vote on NATO membership for Sweden, Finland

Mar. 14, 2023 12:31 PM EDT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A long-delayed vote in Hungary's parliament on ratifying the NATO accession bids of Sweden and Finland will likely be postponed again following a proposal from a senior government official. In a letter published Tuesday by Hungarian news website hvg.hu,...

Swedish leader: Finland likely to join NATO before Sweden

Mar. 14, 2023 09:21 AM EDT

HELSINKI (AP) — Sweden's prime minister acknowledged Tuesday that it is increasingly likely that neighbor Finland will join NATO before his country does, due to Turkey's opposition to the Swedish bid. Ulf Kristersson said during a news conference in Stockholm on Tuesday that it has...