Finland’s parliament passed a law lifting its decadeslong ban on nuclear weapons after a push from President Alexander Stubb’s government.Finland’s foreign policy since its loss in the Continuation War of 1941-1944 was distinguished by its strict neutrality, allowing it good relations with the Soviet Union, then Russia, and the West. As part of this tradition of neutrality, in 1987, it passed its Nuclear Energy Act, banning the import, manufacture, possession, or detonation of nuclear weapons on its soil. It effectively repealed the law on Wednesday, after the right-wing-controlled parliament voted 125-61 in favor of lifting the ban.The vote came at the initiative of Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen, who argued that the measure was needed amid the changing security environment after Finland abandoned neutrality to join NATO.
In a lengthy X post put out before the vote, Häkkänen argued that the measure was needed to put Finland in line with its new NATO security requirements.
“We have assessed in the defense administration all alternative solutions proposed during the process and beforehand. Our assessment has not changed since then. The Government’s proposal is essential for Finland’s security,” he wrote.
