Record-high support: Almost six out of ten Swedes support NATO membership, according to new poll

Nearly six out of ten Swedes believe the country should become a member of NATO. In a new poll, a record 57% said “yes” to membership.

The support for a possible membership in NATO soared by 6% in just one month, the Aftonbladet / Demoskop survey shows. 57% is the largest share in favor of membership since the survey began.

“The upward trend continues. A number as high as 57% is sensational,” Karin Nelsson at Demoskop stated.

The rest of the population is roughly evenly divided between those who want to continue along the non-aligned line (21%) and those who say they do not know (22%). 

Arguments

The argument most used to justify joining NATO is that Sweden does not have the capacity to defend itself (64%). Furthermore, 43% believe NATO has a deterrent effect, while 39% believe Sweden belongs among the other NATO countries.

The most important counter-argument was that a Swedish NATO membership could provoke Russia (38%). 

The survey includes 1,177 interviews. It was conducted between April 14 and 19.

In both Sweden and Finland, a political process has been launched in the wake of the war in Ukraine, which could lead to the countries applying for NATO membership before the Alliance’s summit in June.

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews