Parliament approves NATO membership bid

The Parliament on Tuesday approved the decision to apply for Finland´s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

A total 188 lawmakers cast votes in favour of the proposal, eight cast vote against while three lawmaker remained absent.

Finland on Sunday formally announced that the country will seek the membership of NATO.

The parliament held the vote on the proposal as Markus Mustajärvi, a lawmaker of the Vasemmistoliitto (Left Alliance), one component of the five-party alliance government tabled a counter-motion, arguing that Finland should remain militarily non-aligned. Vasemmistoliitto lawmakers Johannes Yrttiaho and Katja Hänninen also supported his motion.

Parliament adopted the opinion on government reports on the changing security environment and Finland's application to the NATO.

Parliament agrees with the government position that Finland must apply for a NATO membership. In addition, Parliament requires that the Government keeps it informed of the progress of the application process.

During the spring of 2022, Parliament handled two government reports on the changing security environment and foreign policy situation.

The referral debate of the first government report took place on 20 April.

The referral debate of the second government report (Report on Finland's Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) took place on Sunday.

The debate lasted for over 14 hours and it consisted of 212 speeches.

At the end of the referral debate, the matter was sent to the Foreign Affairs Committee which prepared a report on both government reports.

The government on 13 April adopted a report on changes in the security environment and submitted it to the parliament with the view to assess the effects of the possible NATO membership application and making a decision in this regard.