The newspapers were dominated by news of a government report submitted to Parliament on Wednesday, which describes changes in Finland’s foreign and security policy as a result of Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
The report outlines the advantages and disadvantages of Finland’s accession to NATO and has been the starting point for an official discussion on Finland’s possible military membership.
Looking at these events, a reporter for Helsingin Sanomat Teemu Luukka write that it is no longer appropriate to discuss Finnish affairs "possible NATO membership"although the report did not set out a direct position on whether or not Finland should join the alliance.
However, Luukka argues that the report outlines a position in which Finland would be foolish not to join NATO, as it focuses mainly on several of the benefits of membership. As a disadvantage of accession, the report lists increased tensions at the eastern border and notes Russia’s public condemnation of NATO’s enlargement to Europe.
According to the report, NATO membership does not require Finland to have nuclear weapons, a permanent NATO military base or an allied force, and the cost of membership is estimated to be about 1-1.5 percent of Finland’s current defense budget.
According to HS sources, Finland is expected to apply for membership in the near future, and the application is likely to be sent to the North Atlantic Council (NAC) sometime in April-June, but before the NATO conference in Madrid in late June.
Luukka states that recent events that refer to Finland’s application for membership are also visible to the public. No leading politician has opposed joining the alliance, and in fact, opponents have been clearly absent from public debate.
Public and political support for NATO membership has apparently grown at the same time as reports of Russia’s brutal actions in Ukraine have increased, Luukka writes.
Changes in women’s voluntary military service
Helsingin Iltalehti reports new legislation on voluntary military service for women signed by the President Sauli Niinistö on wednesday.
The new law outlines changes, such as postponing the application deadline by about six weeks.
According to the Defense Forces, the new law requires the election of women to be held at the same time as the invitations, which will be held simultaneously for both men and women, which will speed up and facilitate the process.
The new law will also shorten the period for completing the training period for new volunteer conscripts. Women can now leave 30 days after starting training instead of the previous 45-day limit.
The new law will enter into force in June, Iltalehti says.
Finnish politicians have publicly supported holding general calls to prevent exclusion and attract women to military service. In November, the cross-party committee proposed extending the military call to women.
Inflation accelerated from last year
Aamulehti carries stuff looks fresh at Statistics Finland report changes in consumer prices. According to the data, inflation in Finland was 5.8 per cent higher in March than last year. For the last time in Finland, inflation has accelerated so fast, Aamulehti writes, in March 1990.
According to Statistics Finland’s report, the price increase was due to higher electricity, fuel and house repair costs. On the other hand, inflation was curbed by reductions in childcare prices, average mortgage rates and the cost of prescription drugs.
Finland’s inflation rate clearly exceeded local forecasts, but according to the magazine it is still below the euro area in March, which is expected to be 7.5 per cent according to Eurostat estimates.
Statistics Finland is due to publish its harmonized index of consumer prices next week, Aamulehti writes.
The Prime Minister’s jacket is praised
Ilta-Sanomat afternoon newspaper write the Prime Minister Sanna Marin‘s (SDP) jacket captures the hearts of Swedish political commentators. Marin wore a black leather jacket at a press conference in Stockholm on Wednesday when he met his Swedish counterpart. Madgalena Andersson.
"After that, I have a leather jacket on all spring," Frida WallnorThe author of the financial magazine Dagens Industri wrote on Twitter.
A columnist for the Aftonbladet newspaper Oisin Cantwell claimed that no leading Swedish politician would dare to wear a leather jacket Joanna Bergh The Expressen newspaper reported that Marin is bringing contemporary fashion into politics.
"Finally," Bergh wrote, "the prime minister will hold a press conference in a leather jacket."
Source: The Nordic Page
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