A heated debate on conscription erupts in Dagens Nyheter following a letter suggesting only men should serve. Several respondents argue for including women and introducing general service to strengthen defense and society.
The debate on conscription in Sweden flares up in Dagens Nyheter on December 22, 2025. It was triggered by Henrik Nyquist's letter 'Låt bara män göra värnplikten', advocating for male-only service.
Sofia Fürstenberg Stott, a former conscript, responds: 'För att försvara Sverige behövs de bästa oavsett kön' (To defend Sweden, we need the best regardless of gender). Anna Schyman adds: 'Värnplikten är till för Sveriges försvar, inte könspolitik' (Conscription is for Sweden's defense, not gender politics).
88-year-old Sonja Persson emphasizes historical injustices: 'Kvinnor har i alla tider utestängts från skolor, vissa yrken och militärtjänst' (Women have throughout history been excluded from schools, certain professions, and military service). This has boosted men's confidence while diminishing women's. She advocates the principle 'Låt bästa man vinna även om det är en kvinna' (Let the best man win even if it's a woman), warning that excluding suitable women would be unfair to society.
Göte Gunnarsson goes further, proposing 'allmän vård- och värnplikt för alla unga' (general care and defense service for all young people): 'Sverige har inte råd att varje år avvara omkring 100 000 sysslolösa unga tjejer och killar' (Sweden cannot afford to lose about 100,000 idle young girls and boys each year). He suggests each youth choose the option they are most motivated and suited for, to better utilize societal resources.
These letters highlight broader discussions on equality, defense, and youth unemployment in Sweden, with no direct contradictions in the views.
