Finland: EU membership seen as more vital amid shifting US politics

A survey conducted by the think tank Toivo, via Iro Research, indicates that the importance of European Union membership among Finns has increased due to the global political landscape under Donald Trump. According to the report titled ‘Lisää Eurooppaa, kiitos!’ (More Europe, please!), 62 percent of Finnish respondents believe EU membership is now significantly or slightly more important for Finland than before.

Respondents expressed a desire for the EU to take a stronger role in several key areas. The highest priority is energy availability, pricing, and security, with 83 percent of respondents seeking increased EU investment in these sectors. This is followed by efforts to combat crime, online fraud, and hybrid influence (81 percent), and enhancing European defense capabilities and security (77 percent).

Pauli Aalto-Setälä, chairman of Toivo, noted that the European Union has emerged as a primary guarantor of security and supply stability for Finns, replacing the United States in this regard. The survey highlights a consensus across various political affiliations regarding the need for more robust EU action in security and energy policy.