A changing world requires Sweden to rethink its approach

Over the past year, headlines have been frequent about a world in flux. A world where Sweden today is not only forced to support but is represented by a crisis-ridden and marginalised EU. To save Swedish democracy and Swedish prosperity, the time has now come to do precisely as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland amongst others, to be part of the European Internal Market, but not as an EU member.

WE ARE RUNNING AGROUND

In recent decades, we have seen an EU that has become increasingly marginalised on the international stage. The EU is being neglected and denied access to negotiations concerning peace on European soil. The EU's share of the global economy is plummeting. Internal tensions are increasing, while a large portion of industry is under threat or has already moved out of Europe. The euro currency has not just risked crashing once – but twice – since the turn of the millennium. The situation is so bad that even Christine Lagarde, the head of the European Central Bank, recently stated in the Financial Times that Europe is in an existential crisis.

These are not isolated events. They are markers of an accelerating change in how power is exercised in both Europe and the rest of the world. We need to look at what is happening with clear eyes and reconsider our image of ourselves. Otherwise, we risk, like the EU, being marginalised and destroyed as a sovereign nation.

Sweden is at a crucial stage

We are now at a crucial stage. Our choices today will be decisive for Sweden's future for several generations to come. Fundamentally, it is about values. Similarly, the long-term strategy required to secure our future prosperity and security in a changing world.

We are seeing how the EU Commission and the EU's governing member states (read Germany and France) are openly dividing and conquering Europe. Contributions and transfers are being used as a means of pressure rather than for creating common benefit. Cooperation is no longer measured in shared values, but in demands for loyalty. Democracy is being weakened as the Commission centralises decisions and bypasses individual member states by disregarding the veto right, through threats of fines and/or withheld contributions, and by continuously weakening the influence of especially the smaller member states.

The consequences are devastating. When EU law takes precedence over national legislation, smaller countries like Sweden lose their primary protection. When common rules of the game are replaced by discriminatory agreements, power balances rather than norms determine outcomes. And when dependencies are used strategically, the vulnerability of the entire European system increases. The EU has not collapsed. Not yet. But it is well on its way – with music.

This is it now

Clear vision and decisiveness are now required. The democratic order that has guided Sweden until now is not gone and is not without importance – but it has been temporarily put out of play. This is a reality we must take seriously – and reckon with.

The Swedish constitution and our democratic tradition are not perfect in so far as our government and our MPs have been allowed and continue to allow themselves to disregard them. We must not forget what Swedish democracy is fundamentally about: a political mandate and commitment to uphold and manage Swedish public law. To respect the sovereignty of the Swedish people. To honestly, cleanly, and transparently solve Sweden's challenges above all else. The alternative is a Sweden forced to subordinate itself to an EU where vested interests and the strongest power players dictate the terms at our expense.

SWEDEN NEEDS TO REGAIN CONTROL

From a foreign policy perspective, Sweden has a fundamental interest in the multilateral system holding firm. If it cracks, we, as a nation heavily reliant on exports, will be among the first to lose out. Therefore, together with countries that still believe in an orderly and civilised cooperation between states, we must be a clear voice for both national and international law to apply – and be a driving force to ensure that national sovereignty is not undermined.

This presupposes a strong and cohesive foreign policy. By rebuilding nationally controlled relations with our Nordic neighbours and our most important trading partners, we reduce our vulnerability in a time of trade conflicts and uncertainty. Therefore, it is a mistake to withdraw from important parts of the world through an outsourced foreign policy, something that both the Tidö parties and the Opposition are now pursuing. Sweden's sovereignty is not a trivial matter – it is crucial for our future security and freedom of action.

NEW REQUIREMENTS

The times we live in also place new demands on Sweden. The EU, which was once formed to create peace and increase trade, has evolved into a bureaucratic colossus governed by vested interests that are slowly collapsing under their own weight. We must now shoulder and take responsibility for our own role as defenders of Swedish democracy and our Swedish welfare state. 

To meet future risks, we need to analyse our vulnerabilities to the outside world and reduce dependencies that could become a disadvantage. This requires us to strengthen our own capabilities and build up resilience that allows us to stand on our own feet.

We also need to be honest that democracy is not just threatened from the outside, but also from within. Addressing this requires clearer demands on the functioning of the rule of law and on the fundamental principles of democracy. In that work, Nordic cooperation is also important. The Nordic democracies are among the world's most robust and are based on shared values that we must protect. Deeper Nordic cooperation strengthens us in terms of security policy, economy, and society.

AMBITION SWEDEN STANDS READY

Swedish security must be restored. This presupposes welfare that remains strong even in crisis, a justice system that restores law and order, a strong national defence, a robust energy supply, and functioning transport infrastructure. At the same time, we need to strengthen growth, push back unemployment, and shape an economy that works for and benefits people in their everyday lives. To quickly build capacity in strategically crucial areas, closer and more proactive cooperation between the state and businesses is required, as well as policies that create cohesion instead of division.

Ambition Sverige is ready to embark on that journey – towards a more prosperous Sweden.

Ulf Ström
Independent spokesperson for EU affairs