Finnish Parliament approves law allowing import of nuclear weapons

Helsinki, Finland – Finland's Parliament has approved amendments to its nuclear energy and criminal laws, paving the way for the potential import of nuclear weapons into the country. The changes, passed by a vote of 125 to 61 with 13 lawmakers absent, alter the legal framework surrounding nuclear materials.

The amendments remove a specific clause from the nuclear energy law that prohibited the import, manufacture, possession, and detonation of nuclear explosives. Henceforth, nuclear explosives will only be regulated under the criminal law. The government has justified these changes by citing the strengthening of NATO's nuclear deterrence.

This legal shift means that, in a wartime scenario, a plane carrying nuclear weapons could make an emergency landing in Finland. The government's rationale is to align Finland's legislation with NATO's operational requirements, particularly concerning transit and potential emergency situations.

Opposition parties, including the Social Democratic Party (Sdp), the Green League, and the Left Alliance, voted against the amendments. Throughout the spring, these parties criticized the government's proposal, submitting a joint objection to the defense committee's report. They argue that restrictions on nuclear weapons should remain enshrined in law, not just in criminal statutes.

Conversely, opposition parties the Centre Party and Liike Nyt supported the legislative changes. In a concession to the opposition, the government had previously stated its intention to include a provision in the foreign and security policy report affirming that Finland will not host nuclear weapons during peacetime. However, this assurance was not sufficient for the Sdp, Green League, and Left Alliance, who maintain that legal safeguards are necessary.