Youth wings of Finnish political parties mostly sceptical of NATO membership: survey
The youth wings of most Finnish political parties are sceptical of Finland's possible membership of NATO, according to a survey conducted by AlfaTV. Of the five biggest parties represented in the parliament, the youth wing of the opposition National Coalition Party is the only one that supports NATO membership. Ida Leino, head of the party's youth organisation, said Finland should apply for membership immediately. She urged her party to make the question of NATO membership a key issue in coalition talks after the parliamentary elections in 2023. Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Youth opposes membership. The organisation's chairperson, Pinja Perholehto, urged to look at possible risks. She said NATO membership would increase pressure to support US policies. Miko Bergbom, chairman of the Finns Party Youth, said his organisation was divided over the question. The Finnish Centre Youth opposes NATO membership. Chairman Aleksi Sandroos argued that membership would undermine the current security situation in the Baltic Sea region and people's will to defend Finland. Peppi Seppälä, chairperson of the Federation of Green Youth and Students, was open to a change in the organisation's position, which is now against military alignment.
