The NATO question: This is what the timeline looks like

2022-05-02T07:28:55.665Z

Is Sweden on its way to NATO at express speed? At the end of June, the military alliance will hold a summit in Madrid - there is much to suggest that the government before that will provide some kind of information regarding a Swedish application. Here are the key dates to keep track of until then.

May 12: The Social Democrats' internal dialogue completed

The Social Democrats have previously said no to NATO, but the party is currently conducting a so-called security policy dialogue in which it may re-evaluate the position.
It should be ready on 12 May.
The Moderates, the Center Party, the Christian Democrats and the Liberals have previously advocated membership in NATO.
The Sweden Democrats also want to agree to Finland doing so.
By 12 May, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö will also announce his views on Finnish NATO membership.
In Finland, a decision on a joint application is made by the President and the Government.

May 13: The Riksdag's security policy analysis completed

On 13 May, the parliamentary parties' security policy analysis will be completed.
The analysis was initiated by several parties after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
It is still unclear whether the analysis will contain any recommendation regarding NATO membership.

May 14: The Finnish Social Democrats make a decision

On 14 May, the Finnish governing party, the Social Democrats, formally decides how to respond to a NATO application.
The majority of the other parliamentary parties in Finland are already in favor of membership.
The party's chairman, Prime Minister Sanna Marin, has promised to state her position before the meeting.
An informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers will also be held on 14 May, to which Ann Linde (S) and Finland's counterpart Pekka Haavisto have been invited.

May 17-18: State visit to Stockholm

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö is coming to Stockholm on a state visit.

June 29-30: NATO summit in Madrid

It has been speculated that Sweden and Finland may submit a NATO application during the summit.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that accession to the alliance could then take place relatively quickly.
"I can not say how long it will take, but it can go fast provided they want to," he said in late April.

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