Elina Valtonen backs proposal to move Supo under Foreign Ministry

Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen at a media briefing during the Annual Meeting of Heads of Mission in Helsinki on 24 August 2026. Photo: Markku Ulander / Lehtikuva

Domestic

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has backed a proposal to place the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service, Supo, under the Foreign Ministry, reopening a debate over which part of government should oversee the country’s civilian intelligence service.

Outgoing Foreign Ministry State Secretary Jukka Salovaara proposed the change on Monday at Finland’s annual meeting of ambassadors in Helsinki.

Salovaara said Supo and the Foreign Ministry increasingly work on the same security issues and often produce joint assessments.