Stockholm (Sweden) 5 July 2026 (SPS)– Sweden's opposition parties have pledged to restore the country's long-standing policy of supporting international law and the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination on Western Sahara should they form the next government, according to a new political survey published by the Swedish human rights organization *Article2*.
The survey, released on Friday, comes in response to the current Swedish government's decision earlier this year to endorse Morocco's so-called autonomy proposal as a "credible basis" for resolving the question of Western Sahara. According to Article2, the opposition considers that position a departure from Sweden's traditional foreign policy and has committed to returning to a policy grounded in international law and the United Nations process.
The findings of the survey indicate a broad consensus among Sweden's opposition parties that the future of Western Sahara must be determined in accordance with the Sahrawi people's internationally recognized right to self-determination, rather than through unilateral political proposals advanced by the occupying power.
In a statement accompanying the publication, *Sinan Ferhan*, Program Director of Article2, criticized the current government's endorsement of Morocco's autonomy initiative, arguing that such a position is incompatible with the principle of self-determination.
"It is impossible to support the occupying power's proposal while simultaneously claiming to defend the right to self-determination," Ferhan said. "Morocco's autonomy plan excludes the option of independence. By making it the starting point for negotiations, the government predetermines an unlawful outcome."
According to the survey, the *Social Democratic Party*, which opinion polls currently place as Sweden's largest political force ahead of the next elections, has confirmed that it would restore Sweden's previous position on Western Sahara if it participates in a future government.
The *Centre Party* likewise reaffirmed that Sweden's policy should support the United Nations' impartial mediation efforts rather than prejudge the outcome of negotiations by endorsing one party's proposal in advance.
Article2 noted that all opposition parties that responded to the survey committed themselves to defending international law and the multilateral legal framework governing the UN-led peace process.
The organization also pointed out that the *Sweden Democrats*, the principal parliamentary support party for the current government, stated that they currently have no official position on Western Sahara, despite supporting the coalition that adopted the new policy.
In its report, Article2 warned that Sweden's endorsement of Morocco's autonomy initiative represented a significant break with decades of Swedish foreign policy, which had traditionally maintained neutrality regarding the final political status of Western Sahara while consistently supporting the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination under international law.
The organization stressed that Sweden had historically earned international recognition for its principled stance on decolonization and respect for international law, regardless of the political orientation of successive governments.
Article2 also recalled that the Sahrawi people have endured more than five decades of Moroccan occupation and prolonged displacement in refugee camps, while Morocco has continued to exploit the Territory's natural resources and expand settlement activities in occupied Western Sahara.
Commenting on the survey's conclusions, *Brian Kelly*, Secretary-General of Article2, described the opposition's unified position as an important step toward restoring Sweden's credibility on international law.
"At a time when the rules-based international order is under increasing pressure, it is deeply concerning that Sweden has moved away from international law," Kelly said. "It is therefore highly encouraging that the opposition is united in its commitment to restoring Sweden's voice in defense of international law."
The survey was conducted during June 2026 and included written questions addressed to all parties represented in the Swedish Parliament regarding their official positions on the UN peace process in Western Sahara. Responses were received from the Centre Party, Liberals, Green Party, Moderates, Social Democrats, Sweden Democrats and the Left Party, while the Christian Democrats did not submit a response.
The survey was published by Article2 through the Swedish news distribution service *Cision* on 3 July 2026. (SPS)
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