Christian Democrats in Finland speak out for NATO membership

Räsänen sees a “new national unity” after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. National security has become a priority again. According to the KD leader, this is no time for nasty debate. “I trust that every decision-maker will strive to build security for his homeland and his people in this challenging situation”, Räsänen wrote on Twitter and her party’s website.

Also, membership of the big alliance will not be a reason for laziness and not investment in the national defence, Räsänen says. “It is especially important to strengthen our own defence capabilities, preparedness, self-sufficiency and security of supply.”

Growing support

New opinion research shows that the support of NATO membership has grown up to 60 per cent in Finland. It is only 19 per cent that is against. That research was done earlier this month. This proves that the support is more prominent than ever since 1998, from when this research question was asked regularly.

The 60 per cent is not only in favour of NATO but want a decision in the coming months or before the end of this year at the latest.

Six months ago, the support was only 26 per cent and the resistance 40. Such a change in opinion research is seldomly seen. Still, men support NATO more than women.

Party rejected request

The Christian Democrats themselves have changed as well. Only last summer, the KD rejected a request by the KD youth party. According to deputy chairman Peter Östman, it was better to continue the “present direction of good international relations” and to stay out of the North Atlantic alliance.

After the war in Ukraine started, the party had internal discussions about NATO membership. The Christian Democrats have five seats in the 200 seat chamber (3.9 per cent in the last election). The group has been in a government coalition twice (1991 and 2011).

Part of Russian Empire

Finland was part of the Russian Empire during the 19th century, up until 1917. The country shares a 1,300-kilometre border with Russia. There has always been much trade with Russia.

During the Cold War, the country reserved a neutral position, together with the neighbour country Sweden. Because of this, Helsinki could facilitate the important peace conference in 1975.

After 1990, Finland decided to go for EU membership, which was gained in 1995. The country never expressed any interest in NATO membership, although defence structures were quietly aligned to NATO standards. Also, the country is part of NATO’s Partnership for Peace and has been an observer in NATO councils.

During the building-up of the pressure from Russia in late 2021 and early 2022, the debate about Finnish NATO membership came back again.

Prayers for leaders

In her statement, Mrs Räsänen says that she still understands decisions that are taken earlier. “Everyone in their own time has certainly sought to secure our independence on the basis of the best knowledge and understanding at the time”. She refers to 1 Timothy 2:1-4 and asks for special prayer for leadership people, “both in our own country and in the world of war and suffering”.