Efforts to strengthen Sweden’s security

On Friday 13 October, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson hosted a Summit in Visby attended by heads of state and government within the framework of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) regional defence cooperation partnership. At the Summit, the leaders discussed Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, stronger cooperation with NATO and the countering of hybrid threats. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part via video link.

Address to the nation by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson following violent incidents in the country, Stockholm, Thursday 28 September 2023. Check against delivery.

Sweden is currently facing the most serious security situation since the Second World War. This places new demands on military defence.

In light of the serious security environment, the Government has proposed a number of investments in civil defence and crisis preparedness in the Budget Bill for 2024 and the autumn amending budget for 2023.

In the Budget Bill for 2024, the Government proposes additional funding to military defence amounting to approximately SEK 700 million. Taking into account upward adjustments and previous decisions, appropriations for military defence will increase by more than SEK 27 billion between 2023 and 2024 – an increase of 28 per cent. This means that appropriations have doubled since 2020 and that Sweden will already reach the defence expenditure target of two per cent of GDP according to NATO’s definition in 2024. In the Budget Bill, the Government also estimates additional funding for 2025 and 2026 amounting to approximately SEK 1.2 billion and SEK 7.4 billion, respectively.

Sweden is facing a deteriorating security situation, with an increased threat of attacks by terrorists and violent extremists. This situation requires additional measures, not least in efforts to prevent radicalisation and violent extremism. The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention will therefore be tasked with enhancing collaboration between government agencies and other relevant actors to prevent radicalisation and the spread of violent extremism. This assignment will be carried out as part of the activities of the Council’s Swedish Centre for Preventing Violent Extremism.

The Swedish Security Service has raised the terrorist threat level from level 3 (‘elevated’) to level 4 (‘high’) on a 5-level scale. In light of the deteriorating security situation, the Government is working intensively and constantly to take the necessary measures.

The Government has decided to appoint an Inquiry Chair to examine whether Sweden’s security could be considered when examining permit applications and setting conditions for public gatherings under the Public Order Act.

Statement by Sweden’s National Security Adviser Henrik Landerholm on the worsened security situation, 13 August.

On 4 August, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström hosted a dialogue with ambassadors of OIC Member States at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The dialogue took place against the backdrop of repeated burnings of copies of holy scriptures and the resolution adopted by the OIC Member States at the Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign ministers of the OIC.

In light of the recent developments, Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström invited representatives of faith communities to a discussion to listen to their views and thoughts on recent events.

Due to the serious security situation, there is greater need for control over who is attempting to enter Sweden and for what purposes. The Government has therefore decided to expand the mandate of the Police to intensify internal border control. This was announced at a press conference yesterday by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer.

Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström ahead of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation foreign ministers meeting on 31 July.

The reactions following the burning of copies of the Quran have led to a deteriorating security situation. The Government has therefore decided to task several government agencies with strengthening Sweden’s ability to prevent, avert and impede terrorism and violent extremism.

The Swedish Government is engaged in intensive efforts following recent events, including the storming of the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad. Today, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström met with the Riksdag parties in the Committee on Foreign Affairs to provide information about the ongoing work, which is ultimately about the safety and security of the Swedish people.

Today, Wednesday 26 July, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin held a press briefing on recent influence campaigns against Sweden. Mikael Östlund, Head of Communications at the Psychological Defence Agency (MPF), also took part.

In Sweden, freedom of expression and demonstration are protected by the Constitution. Freedom of expression is one of the foundations of the Swedish state. Freedom of expression, freedom of information,  freedom to demonstrate and freedom of assembly are therefore central rights in our democracy. The individual’s right to freedom of religion is also strongly protected by the Constitution.