THE SWEDISH Communist Party (SKP) has slammed the decision of the ruling Social Democratic Party to back the country’s membership of the Nato military alliance announced on Monday. 

It said the stunning policy reversal which ends 200 years of neutrality is linked to the aspirations of Swedish capital to secure its sphere of influence and defend its investments abroad. 

“It is inevitable that the contradictions within the entire capitalist-imperialist system are intensifying and each country’s capital seeks the most profitable investments and the best conditions for its growth,” the communists said. 

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announced that her party had dropped its long-standing opposition to Nato membership in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and was seeking accession as soon as possible.

But the SKP said the decision was in breach of her own party’s Congress decisions, including a statement passed as recently as November 2021 which described military non-alignment as “a foundation of Sweden’s security policy.”

The SDP was resolute on the threat posed by Nato membership and firmly ruled out joining the imperialist bloc. 

“Of course, the security policy situation has changed,” the communists said.  “The Swedish investments abroad are now more threatened than 10 years ago because the contradictions have been sharpened. 

“That is why Swedish politicians act to defend their own investments and they cannot do it by themselves. So, it's pretty simple: When the capital calls, congressional decisions mean nothing.” 

Finnish communists voiced similar opposition to Helsinki’s plans to join Nato warning that it places the country at risk of war and would deepen regional militarisation. 

However the membership aspirations of both countries are opposed by Turkey which is threatening to veto their accession. 

Ankara accuses Sweden and Finland of harbouring terrorists, linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). 

Turkey has demanded the extradition of a number of alleged PKK supporters, security guarantees and an end to an arms embargo in return for its support.