Editing Sweden Democrats (section)

=== Foreign policy ===
==== Defense ====
SD wants to increase the number of [[Swedish Army]] brigades to seven from 2021's two.<ref name=":3" /> The party has stated that it would seek to raise Sweden's [[defense spending]] to 2–2.5% of GDP.<ref name="newsnowfinland.fi" /><ref name=":3" />

The party supports closer military cooperation with neighboring [[Nordic countries]] and previously opposed Swedish membership of [[NATO]], instead calling for an alignment without full membership.<ref name="newsnowfinland.fi">{{citation| url = https://newsnowfinland.fi/finland-international/swedens-right-wing-more-finland-less-nato| website = newsnowfinland| title = Sweden's Right Wing: More Finland, Less NATO| date = 8 September 2018| access-date = 29 February 2020| archive-date = 29 February 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200229152113/https://newsnowfinland.fi/finland-international/swedens-right-wing-more-finland-less-nato| url-status = dead}}</ref> However, following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] the SD leadership announced it would consider changing its policy to endorse NATO membership and support joining if [[Finland]] also applied for NATO membership.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sweden-democrats-leader-wants-party-change-nato-membership-if-finland-applies-2022-04-09/ |title=Sweden Democrats leader wants party to change on NATO membership if Finland applies to join alliance |publisher=Reuters |date=9 April 2022 |access-date=14 June 2022 |archive-date=9 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509013708/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sweden-democrats-leader-wants-party-change-nato-membership-if-finland-applies-2022-04-09/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It subsequently voted in favor for NATO membership in the Riksdag.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Omröstning: betänkande 2022/23:UU16 Sveriges medlemskap i Nato, förslagspunkt 3 (Omröstning 2022/23:UU16 Sveriges medlemskap i Nato) |url=https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/omrostning/omrostning-betankande-202223uu16-sveriges_ha19uu16p3/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.riksdagen.se |language=sv}}</ref> 

==== European Union ====
The Sweden Democrats support close political co-operation within the [[Nordic countries|Nordic sphere]], but are [[Euroscepticism|eurosceptic]] and against further [[European integration|EU integration]] and cession of Swedish sovereignty to the [[European Union]].<ref name="auto2">{{cite web |title=Rösta SD i årets Europaparlamentsval |trans-title=Vote SD in this year's election to the European Parliament |url=https://eu.sd.se/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125053126/https://eu.sd.se/ |archive-date=25 November 2020 |access-date=22 December 2020 |website=Sverigdemokraterna}}</ref> The party states that it supports European political and economic co-operation to secure trade and combat cross-border organized crime, illegal immigration, [[Islamism]], terrorism and environmental challenges but strongly opposes creating an [[Common Security and Defence Policy|EU army]] or policies that could lead to the creation of a [[Federal Europe|Federal European Superstate]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sd.se/vad-vi-vill/generell-eu-politik/ |title=Mitt Europa bygger murar |access-date=2025-01-06}}</ref><ref name="auto8">{{Citation |last1=Radosevich |first1=Frank |title=Sweden Democrat MEP candidate: More money for EU border system |date=9 May 2018 |newspaper=[[Sveriges Radio]] |url=https://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2054&artikel=7214581 |access-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229152116/https://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2054&artikel=7214581 |archive-date=29 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/> The party generally opposes all EU regulation over Swedish tax, pensions, environmental and domestic affairs and calls for the national sovereignty and cultural identity of European nations to be prioritized above the EU's political ambitions.<ref>{{cite web |last=Landahl |first=Eva |title=Linda Lindberg (SD) – Valkompass EU-valet |url=https://valkompassen.svt.se/eu-2019/kandidat/linda-lindberg/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626150355/https://valkompass.svt.se/eu-2019/kandidat/linda-lindberg/ |archive-date=2022-06-26 |website=valkompassen.svt.se}}</ref> SD rejects joining the [[Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union|Economic and Monetary Union]] by opposing the [[Euro]] currency and favors keeping the [[Swedish krona|krona]]. They also seek to reduce Swedish financial contributions to Brussels, end Swedish participation in bailouts for other EU member states, renegotiate Swedish membership of the [[Schengen Agreement]] and opt-out of common asylum agreements, protect freedom of speech and the [[Right to Internet access|free access to the internet]] from EU copyright bills, and are against the [[accession of Turkey to the European Union]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Jacobsen |first=Henriette |title=Socialists win by landslide in Sweden as voters punish governing parties |date=26 May 2014 |newspaper=[[EurActiv]] |url=http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-elections-2014/socialists-win-landslide-sweden-voters-punish-governing-parties-302364 |access-date=27 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527024417/http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-elections-2014/socialists-win-landslide-sweden-voters-punish-governing-parties-302364 |archive-date=27 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/> 

The party has called for Sweden to renegotiate its membership of the EU and seeks an amendment to the Swedish constitution to make it mandatory that proposed EU treaties and financial transfers be first put to a public vote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sverigedemokraternas Valplattform 2022 |trans-title=The Sweden Democrats' Election Platform 2022 |url=https://sd.se/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/sverigedemokraternas-valplattform-2022-april.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813120040/https://sd.se/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/sverigedemokraternas-valplattform-2022-april.pdf |archive-date=2022-08-13 |publisher=The Sweden Democrats}}</ref> The SD believes that if the EU cannot be reformed or attempts to transform itself into a Superstate, Sweden must immediately reconsider its membership via a referendum and prepare to leave the EU.<ref name="auto4"/> The SD's youth-wing, the [[Young Swedes SDU|Young Swedes]] ({{lang|sv|Ungsvenskarna}}), support a Swedish exit from the EU. In 2023, party leader Åkesson and SD European Union spokesman [[Charlie Weimers]] unveiled a new EU strategy with the objective of achieving better negotiation results, increasing Swedish influence and stopping the EU from gaining more power by creating a [[European Union Act 2011|referendum lock]] based on the [[United Kingdom|UK]] [[European Union Act 2011]] in the Riksdag to prevent transfer of powers to Brussels without a mandatory public vote. SD argues that a referendum lock should be used to prevent further [[EU expansion]] to include Turkey, Albania and Balkan states.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fokus.se/synvinkel/sa-kan-vi-hindra-att-eu-far-mer-makt/ |title=Så kan vi hindra att EU får mer makt |date=25 February 2021 |access-date=2025-01-06}}</ref> The SD has also said it wants a Swedish exit from the EU be made possible by removing all references to membership in the constitution.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Åkesson |first1=Jimmie |author-link=Jimmie Åkesson |last2=Weimers |first2=Charlie |author-link2=Charlie Weimers |date=15 May 2023 |title=SD: Hög tid för en ny svensk EU-strategi |trans-title=The SD: High time for a new Swedish EU strategy |url=https://www.svd.se/a/veb1QB/sd-hog-tid-for-en-ny-svensk-eu-strategi |newspaper=[[Svenska Dagbladet]] |department=Debate}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Weimers |first=Charlie |date=24 November 2023 |title=Sverige behöver en ny EU-strategi |trans-title=Sweden needs a new EU strategy |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3xcwa1KpL8 |website= |publisher=Charlie Weimers |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=24 November 2023 |title=SD-topp öppnar för 'omedelbar Swexit' |trans-title=High ranking SD member open to "immediate Swexit" |url=https://www.tv4.se/artikel/6FOKidtWgITYqyzZJ3w5tA/sd-topp-oeppnar-foer-omedelbar-swexit |website=[[TV4 (Swedish TV channel)|TV4]] |agency=[[TT News Agency|TT]]}}</ref> In 2025, the Sweden Democrats stated that while they remain critical of the EU they believe EU funds are necessary and pragmatic in the current climate for European military rearmament, with the party citing the war in Ukraine and deteriorating security situation between the United States and Europe.<ref name=":5">{{cite web|title=Valuta|url=https://sd.se/our-politics/valuta/|publisher=Sverigedemokraterna|date=3 May 2020|access-date=14 September 2021|archive-date=14 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914202547/https://sd.se/our-politics/valuta/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":11" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/sverigedemokraterna-i-det-har-laget-behovs-eu |title=Sverigedemokraterna: I det här läget behövs EU |access-date=2025-04-14}}</ref>

==== Russia ====
The SD has taken a strongly pro-Ukraine position following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion]] and has called on Sweden and Western governments to help the Ukrainian people defend their homeland.<ref name="rmx.news"/> Åkesson said in 2024 that SD stands fully behind Sweden’s support for Ukraine, and that; "We will continue to do so as long as the Ukrainian people fight their heroic fight."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wallberg/TT |first=Peter |date=2024-05-04 |title=Åkesson: SD står fullt ut bakom Ukrainastöd |url=https://www.svd.se/a/zAL29b/akesson-sd-star-fullt-ut-bakom-ukrainastod |access-date=2025-04-12 |work=Svenska Dagbladet |language=sv |issn=1101-2412}}</ref> He also said that sees no limit on how much the EU should send to Ukraine, adding that he supports a [[Ukraine–European Union relations|future Ukrainian membership in the EU]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arenander |first=Inger |date=2024-05-31 |title=Åkesson: Tänker inte spela Putin i händerna |url=https://www.svd.se/a/gwWOB9/jimmie-akesson-sd-finns-ingen-ovre-grans-for-ukraina |access-date=2025-04-12 |work=Svenska Dagbladet |language=sv |issn=1101-2412}}</ref>

In 2022, an analysis of votes relating to Russia in the [[European Parliament]] found that the Sweden Democrats were the 10th-most critical party in the parliament having voted against Russian interests 93 percent of the time.<ref>{{cite web |title=EU-Russia: latest trends among EU political parties (measurement) |url=https://www.votewatch.eu/blog/eu-russia-latest-trends-among-eu-political-parties-measurement/,%20https://www.votewatch.eu/blog/eu-russia-latest-trends-among-eu-political-parties-measurement/ |website=VoteWatch |via=[[Google Drive]]}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Random Google Drive link, no publisher or name|date=September 2024}} The report found that among all Swedish parties the Sweden Democrats were the most critical of Russia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/undersokning-i-europaparlamentet-sd-mest-putin-kritiska-av-svenska-partier|title=Undersökning i EU-parlamentet: SD mest Putin-kritiskt av svenska partier|first=Birgitta|last=Johansson|newspaper=Sveriges Radio|date=24 June 2022|via=sverigesradio.se|access-date=27 June 2022|archive-date=27 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627173244/https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/undersokning-i-europaparlamentet-sd-mest-putin-kritiska-av-svenska-partier|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the party got rid of members who had previously expressed support for Putin.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wingborg |first=Mats |date=2 March 2022 |title=Synen på Ryssland en akilleshäl för SD |trans-title=The view of Russia an Achilles' heel for SD |url=https://www.dagensarena.se/opinion/synen-pa-ryssland-en-akilleshal-sd/ |access-date=31 January 2024 |archive-date=1 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201135850/https://www.dagensarena.se/opinion/synen-pa-ryssland-en-akilleshal-sd/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Middle East ====
The Sweden Democrats are supportive of [[Israel]]. The party favors recognising [[Jerusalem]] as Israel's capital and proposes moving the [[List of diplomatic missions of Sweden|Swedish embassy]] there.<ref>{{Citation | url = https://www.timesofisrael.com/swedish-far-right-party-calls-to-recognize-jerusalem-as-israels-capital/ | newspaper = Times of Israel | title = Swedish far-right party calls to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital | date = September 2018 | access-date = 1 January 2020 | archive-date = 1 October 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191001161702/https://www.timesofisrael.com/swedish-far-right-party-calls-to-recognize-jerusalem-as-israels-capital/ | url-status = live }}</ref> A study by the ''European Coalition for Israel'' documented that SD had the most pro-Israel voting record of the Swedish parties in the European Parliament.<ref name="auto12">{{cite news |last=Harkov |first=Lahav |date=17 May 2023 |title=Swedish party with Nazi roots 'wants to be friends of Israel, Jews' |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-743376 |access-date=31 May 2024 |publisher=Jerusalem Post}}</ref> In 2021, the Israeli government stated that they did not maintain relations with the SD due to "its roots in Nazism"<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 October 2021 |title=Israels ambassadör: Vi vill inte ha några kontakter med SD |url=https://www.dn.se/sverige/israels-ambassador-vi-vill-inte-ha-nagra-kontakter-med-sd/ |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=[[Dagens Nyheter]] |language=sv |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920121454/https://www.dn.se/sverige/israels-ambassador-vi-vill-inte-ha-nagra-kontakter-med-sd/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kahana |first=Ariel |date=2021-10-26 |title= |script-title=he:זעם בימין השבדי: השגריר הישראלי הודיע שיחרים מפלגה שתומכת בישראל |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/geopolitics/article/5312119 |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=[[Israel Hayom]] |language=he |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171933/https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/geopolitics/article/5312119 |url-status=live }}</ref> but by 2023 had dropped its non-cooperation stance after SD representatives signed a document of principle with Israeli ministers pledging to combat antisemitism. Between 2023 and 2024, a delegation of senior SD members visited Israel to hold meetings with [[Knesset]] politicians and discuss a cooperation pact with the [[Likud]] party.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-29/ty-article/.premium/top-members-of-far-right-swedish-party-with-neo-nazi-roots-meet-israeli-minister/0000018d-564e-d0fc-a9bd-5e5f9ff00000 |title=Top Members of Far-right Swedish Party With neo-Nazi Roots Meet Israeli Minister in Knesset |publisher=Haaretz |date=29 Jan 2024 |access-date=31 May 2024 |archive-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408204219/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-29/ty-article/.premium/top-members-of-far-right-swedish-party-with-neo-nazi-roots-meet-israeli-minister/0000018d-564e-d0fc-a9bd-5e5f9ff00000 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/06/12/seizing-on-pro-israel-stance-likud-poised-to-mover-closer-to-far-right-parties-in-europe/ |title=Seizing on pro-Israel stance, Likud poised to move closer to far-Right parties in Europe |publisher=Haaretz |date=6 December 2024 |access-date=31 May 2024 |archive-date=1 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601191507/https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/06/12/seizing-on-pro-israel-stance-likud-poised-to-mover-closer-to-far-right-parties-in-europe/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The party has also taken a strongly pro-Israel position following the outbreak of the [[Gaza war]], supporting military action to remove Hamas and calling on the Swedish government to review all funding to Palestinian organizations which the SD accuse of spending aid money on terrorism.<ref name="auto12"/>

SD has advocated a "neutral" position on the [[Syrian civil war]] and sent a delegation to meet with Syrian officials in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dalsbro |first1=Anders |last2=Wiklander |first2=Daniel |date=2018-02-20 |title=SD-riksdagsmän kritiseras för resa till Syrien |trans-title=SD Member of Parliament criticized for trip to Syria |url=https://expo.se/nyheter/2017/11/sd-riksdagsm%C3%A4n-kritiseras-f%C3%B6r-resa-till-syrien |website=[[Expo (magazine)|Expo]] |language=sv |access-date=1 September 2022 |archive-date=6 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906152952/https://expo.se/nyheter/2017/11/sd-riksdagsm%C3%A4n-kritiseras-f%C3%B6r-resa-till-syrien |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Other regions ====
In 2011, SD was the only Swedish political party to vote against Swedish involvement in the [[2011 military intervention in Libya]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Jakobsson |first=Johannes |date=1 April 2011 |title=Sverigedemokraterna röstade mot Libyeninsatsen |trans-title=The Sweden Democrats voted against the Libya intervention |url=https://expo.se/2011/04/sverigedemokraterna-r%C3%B6stade-mot-libyeninsatsen |work=[[Expo (magazine)|Expo]]}}</ref> SD also supports the creation of an [[Kurdistan|independent Kurdish state]] and for the [[Armenian genocide]] to be formally recognised by the international community.<ref name="auto4"/> Since 2022, the SD has participated in [[bipartisan]] efforts to give more diplomatic recognition to [[Taiwan]] and supported a motion in the Riksdag to change the name of Sweden’s representative office in Taiwan to "House of Sweden". SD politician [[Markus Wiechel]] said the name change denotes that Sweden should treat Taiwan as a nation rather than a disputed territory or a province of China.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://globaltaiwan.org/2022/05/facing-beijings-coercion-sweden-strengthens-ties-with-taiwan/ |title=Facing Beijing's Coercion, Sweden Strengthens Ties with Taiwan |date=4 May 2022 |access-date=2025-02-03}}</ref> Wiechel also proposed giving military support to Taiwan and said SD sees Taiwan as an independent state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nyheter |first=S. V. T. |date=2023-05-19 |title=SD-politiker: Taiwan bör få militärt stöd – precis som Ukraina |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/sd-politiker-sverige-bor-bista-taiwan-militart |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=SVT Nyheter |language=sv}}</ref> SD politician and MEP [[Charlie Weimers]] also enhanced Taiwan-EU relations through his motion which got approval in the [[European Parliament]] on closer cooperation between Taiwan and EU.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stort EU-stöd för SD-politiker om Taiwan |url=https://www.europaportalen.se/2021/09/stort-eu-stod-sd-politiker-om-taiwan |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.europaportalen.se |language=sv}}</ref>