The most recent survey was conducted by Kantar TNS on 18-23. March. The surveys are not directly comparable because the newer one was conducted as a network panel survey and the previous one as a telephone survey.
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However, public views on membership have changed dramatically since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Surveys YLE and Future of the countryside have recently measured the Alliance’s support at 61-62%.
Sakari NurmelaKantar TNS’s research director reminded Helsingin Sanomat that the differences in the survey results are natural and are often due to small differences in methodology and research period.
“This is such a burning problem that changes and fluctuations are very typical in the short term,” he said.
According to him, the YLE survey was conducted during the very fierce fighting in Ukraine on 9-11 November. March. Russia seems to have since begun reorganizing its forces, which has caused a change in the reporting of the war. The Rural Future survey, for its part, asked respondents to comment on membership if it was supported by the central government.
“When asked what if the central government would recommend joining, you get a higher percentage,” Nurmela said.
Helsingin Sanomat wrote on Wednesday that views on the Defense League were positive, especially among those aged 60–69. When the majority of respondents over the age of 40 expressed support for membership, the proportion of supporters was just under 50 per cent among those aged 31-39 and slightly lower among those under 30.
According to the magazine, educational background and income levels also seem to influence public perceptions of NATO. Higher-income and tertiary graduates are more supportive of joining than low-income earners without a post-primary degree.
“The study shows that NATO membership is, above all, an idea adopted by the upper middle class,” Nurmela analyzes.
“The proportion of those without opinions is slightly higher among the working class and the less educated. They are not so enthusiastic about it at the moment. “
Also Helsingin Sanomat on Wednesday reported that 75 MPs have expressed support for the membership application in surveys conducted by various news agencies. Although 11 legislators have expressed opposition to membership and 20, which they cannot say, 94 have refrained from expressing their views publicly.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT