Foreign Minister Ann Linde (S) and Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist (S) participated in a meeting with the Riksdag's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday.
The purpose was, among other things, to discuss the deteriorating security policy situation.
The background is far-reaching Russian demands on countries in its vicinity and a heavy Russian military build-up at the border with Ukraine.
The opposition in the Riksdag has recently accused the government of insufficient information about the deteriorating security situation.
The opposition also wants influence.
One requirement is that the Armed Forces Committee be called in quickly and that the Armed Forces be given the task of quickly inventorying any needs to strengthen the defense.
Another demand from the opposition is for the government to include a so-called NATO option in Swedish security policy, where Sweden, like Finland, makes it clear that NATO membership is an alternative course of action in the event of a deteriorating security situation.
The government is forced to adapt
Until today's meeting, the government has rejected the demands from the opposition and referred to the fact that it is the government that handles foreign policy.
The government does not want a NATO option.
On the other hand, after today's meeting in the Riksdag, it is obvious that the government is now prepared to begin discussions with the Riksdag's parties on the security situation in the immediate area.
Even though the government handles foreign policy, the current government is parliamentary weak and when there is a majority in the Riksdag that requires deliberations, then the government is forced to adapt.
The question is, however, whether this dialogue should take place in the Defense Committee, in party leader talks or in some other forum.
The government has not yet given notice here, but such a move is expected in the next few days.
The opposition wants to see greater investments
However, the government is currently not prepared to send more money to the defense unless the Armed Forces submits a request for this.
Recently, there have been discussions about ammunition shortages in the defense.
The disagreement between the government and parts of the opposition is also about the initiatives planned in the coming years, where the opposition wants the government to agree to larger initiatives than what has been decided so far.
With regard to the NATO issue, the situation is as locked as before.
A majority in the Riksdag (S, V, MP and SD) says no to a Swedish NATO membership.
The bourgeois parties (M, KD, L and C) want Sweden to become a member of NATO.
At present, this issue is therefore not relevant as such a decision presupposes broad political agreement, in fact that the Social Democrats are changing here.
But there is no indication of this.
Majority wants to see NATO option
With regard to the so-called NATO option, the government's position is more complicated.
There is a majority in the Riksdag who want a NATO option (M, KD, L, C and SD), but despite the Riksdag making this decision just over a year ago, the government refuses to follow the decision.
No new information has been given in recent days that indicates that the government is considering giving way here.
On the other hand, it can be concluded that if there is a change of government this autumn and a moderate-led government takes office, then there is much to suggest that the issue of a NATO option is raised in the government declaration and then becomes a new semantic component in Swedish security policy.