Andersson pushes EU veto reform and seizure of Russian assets after election win

Following a tight win, Sweden’s ex-prime minister Magdalena Andersson is preparing to lead a new coalition and has already outlined sweeping EU reforms. She argues that one outlet unanimity requirement hampers foreign-policy action and proposes a qualified-majority system, where at least fifteen of twenty-seven member states representing a substantial share of the population could decide. Andersson also called for the immediate confiscation of frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine’s defence, urging Brussels to resolve any legal hurdles.

She lamented the United Kingdom’s departure, calling it Sweden’s loss of a key ally, and said the UK should be welcomed back to the Union. The proposals, she said, are essential for a more effective EU stance worldwide and would also apply to the accession of Ukraine and other candidate countries. Andersson cited past difficulties in reaching consensus on sanctions, referencing opposition from Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Belgium’s Bart De Wever, and praised Canadian prime minister Mark Carney’s push for closer cooperation among medium-sized powers.