Overwhelming support for NATO bid among Finns: poll

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, more than three-quarters of the People in Finland now support joining NATO, according to a new poll released Monday.

Support for NATO membership used to be stable about 20-30%, but in recent months, it has soared in Finland and neighbouring Sweden, both historically non-aligned militarily.

Around 76 percent of Finns now want the country to join NATO, up from 60 percent in March, according to the poll commissioned by broadcaster YLE and conducted by research firm Taloustutkimus.

The survey also showed a majority in favour no matter the party alignment.

A separate poll last week showed most lawmakers in favour of joining, with 121 of the 200 MPs in favour and only 10 opposed.

Finland and Sweden have inched closer to the alliance, and are mulling a possible joint bid to better protect themselves from their neighbour, Russia.

There is widespread support for welcoming the countries into NATO, according to the alliance, but their membership needs to be ratified by the parliaments of all 30 current member states.

Only full members of NATO formally enjoy the protection of collective defence under Article 5 of the alliance’s charter, which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is due to announce his personal stance on a bid for NATO membership on May 12.

Many analysts believe that the countries will make a decision shortly on any applications so that they can be presented before the June NATO meeting.