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Majority of Swedes in favour of country joining NATO: poll

A majority of Swedes are in favour of joining NATO, a poll showed on Friday, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine spurring a rapid shift in attitudes in a country long known for neutrality.

Sweden has not been in a war since 1814 and has built its foreign policy on non-participation in military alliances. It remained neutral throughout WWII, even as neighbouring Nordic countries were invaded, and also during the Cold War.

A poll by Demoskop, commissioned by the Aftonbladet newspaper, showed that 51 percent of Swedes are now in favour of NATO, up from 42 percent in January. The percentage of the country’s inhabitants opposing joining the alliance fell to 27 from the previous 37 in January.

Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats have so far resisted calls from the right-of-centre opposition to join NATO, saying non-participation in military alliances serves the country’s interests best.

Sweden already has very close cooperation with NATO and has been invited to recent summits. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in January the country, along with Finland, could join the alliance “very quickly” if they decided to apply for membership.

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