Finland opposition parties reject proposal to allow nuclear weapons on Finnish soil

The Social Democratic Party, Green League and Left Alliance submitted a joint objection to a parliamentary proposal that would permit the transport and storage of nuclear weapons in Finland during crises. The parties argue that the government's draft legislation does not assess the risks to Finland’s security, could place the country on Russia’s target lists, and might increase the chance of a nuclear conflict.

The Defence Committee’s majority supports the government’s plan, which seeks to remove legal bans on nuclear weapons and align Finland’s rules with those of Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The government says the current prohibitions hinder full participation in NATO’s nuclear deterrent. The proposed changes would amend the nuclear energy and criminal codes, while existing law completely forbids the import, transport, possession or use of nuclear weapons in Finland.