26 percent of Finns want Finland to apply for NATO membership while 48% are against it, a survey by newspaper Maaseudun Tulevaisuus shows. The share of those uncertain about applying for membership is significantly larger than in another survey conducted in the autumn. Matti Vanhanen, chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Finnish Parliament, and Ilkka Kanerva, chairperson of the Defence Committee, estimate that the results of the survey are similar to other NATO surveys conducted in recent years. Mr Kanerva is even slightly surprised that there were no major changes even though international tensions are rising. Neither Mr Vanhanen nor Mr Kanerva propose Finland apply for NATO membership now but they do not wish to completely dismiss the possibility either.

Media:  Maaseudun Tulevaisuus

Date: 11.1.2017

Journalist: Heikki Vuorela

Main source: Matti Vanhanen, chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Finnish Parliament; Ilkka Kanerva, chairperson of the Defence Committee