Sweden Democrats leader wants party to change on NATO membership if Finland applies to join alliance

FILE PHOTO: Sweden Democrats party leader Jimmie Akesson speaks to the media after the no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, in Stockholm, Sweden June 21, 2021. TT News Agency/Claudio Bresciani via REUTERS

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - The leader of Sweden's second-biggest opposition party will, should neighbour Finland apply to join NATO, suggest that his party change its stance towards favouring a Swedish membership, he told daily Svenska Dagbladet.

A change of stance by the Sweden Democrats party would mean a swing to a parliamentary majority in favour of long-neutral Sweden joining the alliance.