On Thursday, the Defense Committee and the government met to discuss increased funding for the defense.
The government has previously announced that it wants to invest more in defense, something Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson (S) also emphasized in her speech to the nation on Tuesday.
But the bourgeois representatives were disappointed with the outcome.
The Christian Democrats' Mikael Oscarsson thinks that the defense budget should amount to two percent of Sweden's GDP.
- We have had conversations but unfortunately we have to state that what Magdalena Andersson said if more money has not been clarified.
Our view is that we, just like Germany, need to radically increase our defense funding, says Christian Democrat Mikael Oscarsson.
Does Peter Hultqvist say no to adding additional money in addition to what is in the defense decision?
- You can ask him yourself, it is a bit unclear what he means.
But here it is clear that healthy money is needed, says Mikael Oscarsson.
M: Not notified
Nor was the Moderates' defense policy spokesman Pål Jonson satisfied with today's message.
- We were not told in the most central question whether the government is willing to push for more money for the defense, he says after the meeting.
- The Prime Minister has promised that more money will come to the defense and then we expect to deliver information.
Hultqvist does not want to reveal the content
Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist (S) announced at a subsequent press conference that they are aiming for two upcoming defense packages.
- We focus on achieving a package that deals with reinforcements in 2022.
After March 15, work will begin on another package that extends over several years and which will include "substantial reinforcements" for the Armed Forces.
- I do not intend to go into the content, but it may be reported when the work is finished, says Hultqvist.
The Defense Committee is a forum for consultations between the government and representatives of the political parties in the Riksdag.