Swedish officials approve joining NATO.

Swedish Lawmakers Overwhelmingly Vote in Favor of Joining NATO

by: JAN M. OLSEN, Associated Press

Posted: Mar 22, 2023 / 12:05 PM EST / Updated: Mar 22, 2023 / 12:05 PM EST

COPENHAGEN Parliament Approves Sweden’s Accession to NATO

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Swedish lawmakers have overwhelmingly voted in favor of the country joining NATO.

The 349-seat parliament authorized Sweden’s accession to the Western military alliance in a 269-37 vote, with 43 lawmakers absent. It was the last required domestic hurdle to the country becoming part of the 30-member alliance.

Six of Eight Political Parties in Favor of NATO Membership

Six of the eight parties represented in Sweden’s parliament were in favor of NATO membership, and the vote that followed a nearly seven-hour debate on Wednesday was seen as a formality.

Sweden and Finland Apply to Join NATO After Ukraine Invasion

Both Sweden and neighboring Finland applied to join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Two NATO countries, Turkey and Hungary, have yet to ratify the Nordic nations’ joint application.