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 It effectively repealed the law on Wednesday, after the right-wing-controlled parliament voted 125-61 in favor of lifting the ban.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.
Häkkänen criticized the opposition’s counterproposal, saying it would “weaken Finland’s defense and security,” and based its plan on “so-called peace defenders who draw only on public sources,” rather than defense “experts.”
At a recent news conference, the defense minister said the amendment was needed to “take full advantage of NATO’s deterrence and collective defense,” but clarified it didn’t entail the immediate deployment of nuclear weapons on its soil.
“Finland does not need nuclear weapons in peacetime. This is about nuclear deterrence—a deterrent to ensure they would never have to be used,” he said.
The voting outcome was expected, with right-wing parties controlling most seats. Those opposed belonged to the Social Democratic Party, the Greens, and the Left Alliance.
Despite the overwhelming vote in favor in parliament, the measure was even more overwhelmingly unpopular among the Finnish public. A July 2023 poll found 77% of Finns opposed having nuclear weapons stationed in Finland, while 61% opposed nuclear weapons being transported across the country. A more recent poll from YouGov for ICAN found that support for the deployment of nuclear weapons amounted to only 18% of respondents.
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The move was also notable as there was no public push from the U.S. or NATO to change Finland’s nuclear posture.
The law change will have little immediate effect — there are currently no plans to acquire or deploy nuclear weapons on Finnish soil.