In Finland, poll suggests over 40% of population oppose NATO membership

A recent poll suggested that more than 40% of population in Finland oppose accession of ir country into rth Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) -  a military alliance between 27 European countries. As per survey conducted by Kantar TNS, 42% of Finns stated y do t want to join alliance, falling below 50% threshold for first time in outlet's polling history, Sputnik reported. In contrast, 28% stated y would prefer Finland to join NATO, up by 9 points from 2019 figures and highest support rate recorded by outlet so far. 

As per poll, undecided respondents accounted for 30%, which is linked to extremely heated debates around NATO in Finland. survey was conducted between January 3 to 16 and its sample size was 1,003 d between 18 to 79 years old. Meanwhile, a similar kind of poll was undertaken in Sweden by Swedish sociological firm Sifo. It suggested that 66% of population believes government should be more open to possibility of joining NATO, Sputnik reported citing TV4 broadcaster. Furrmore, 35% of respondents want Sweden to join NATO, while 33% were opposed to it. In a similar poll conducted in 2018, 31% of respondents supported NATO membership while 48% opposed it. 

Door remains open for Finland to join military alliance: Stoltenberg

Earlier in October last year, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that door remains open for Finland to join military alliance. He also referred to Finland as a 'close partner', praising country's 'sturdy defence', citing interoperability and major exercises as examples. Stoltenberg also said that it is all about NATO's presence in Baltic Sea and Baltic states and role of Finland and Sweden is very important. However, he also pointed out that re is a difference between being a member and t being a member, Sputnik reported. 

Finland's President enviss possibility of joining NATO

Stoltenberg also stated that it is all about NATO's presence in Baltic Sea and Baltic states and role of Finland and Sweden is very important. Meanwhile, Finland's President, Sauli Niinistö, had previously suggested that joining NATO is a possibility and that relations between rdic country and NATO have "continued to strengn in recent years." "We have a lot of mutual understandings about how we can ensure peace, which is most essential thing in people's lives," he added as reported by Sputnik.