Sweden takes official decision to apply for NATO membership

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The Swedish Social Democratic Party on Sunday has taken an official decision to accept the application for NATO membership.

"At its meeting today, May 15, 2022, the board of the Social Democratic Party decided that the party will work to have Sweden apply for NATO membership," the party said in a statement. 

Magdalena Andersson, Sweden's prime minister, revealed in a press conference after the party's meeting that "the accession to NATO is the best for Sweden and the security of the Swedish people." 

This decision comes just a few hours after Finland announced its decision to officially join NATO, which will be discussed in the Finnish parliament tomorrow, Monday, while the voting is expected to be held on Tuesday.

Aftonbladet, a Swedish newspaper, cited government sources as saying that Stockholm was going to apply for NATO membership on Monday or Tuesday, but the government decided to wait until Helsinki makes a decision, applying together. 

Sweden's application to NATO needs to be signed by Swedish officials.

Read more: NATO chief to accelerate Finland, Sweden membership into alliance