More than 3/4 of Finns now support the country’s application to join NATO, according to a new poll released just days before the expected formal decision on the issue.

According to a poll published by public television Yle, 76% of Finns – a record percentage – want the country to join NATO. The corresponding percentage in March was 60%. From all political wings, the respondents are in favor of joining the Alliance, the poll adds.

As in Sweden, the Russian invasion of Ukraine led to a shift in public opinion, which until then had been very divided. Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Finnish support for the prospect of joining the North Atlantic Alliance remained stagnant at around 20 to 30%.

Finnish President, Sauli Niinisto, is to officially announce his personal position on NATO membership on May 12, and experts expect that Finland’s candidacy will be formalized in the coming days.

A parliamentary majority is also being formed: according to the Finnish media, 121 of the 200 members of Parliament are in favor of membership, while only 10 are against.

Source: ΑMNA

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