Finland’s government and opposition parties remain at odds over the country’s nuclear weapons policy, following fresh talks led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo aimed at finding common ground on a planned legislative overhaul.
After meeting leaders of all parliamentary parties on Friday, Orpo acknowledged that deep divisions persist, particularly over whether restrictions on nuclear weapons should remain enshrined in law. While the government wants to remove those limits, several opposition parties insist they should stay.
The proposed changes are part of a broader update to Finland’s foreign and security policy, driven by shifts in the global security environment and the country’s role within NATO. The government plans to submit its updated policy statement to parliament next week.
Under the proposal, Finland would align more closely with NATO’s nuclear deterrence framework while maintaining key safeguards. Orpo emphasized that Finland would not host nuclear weapons during peacetime and would remain committed to international treaties such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
“At its core, the policy is clear: Finland will not become a nuclear weapons state, and no nuclear weapons will be stationed here in normal conditions,” Orpo said after the meeting.
However, the government argues that removing legal restrictions is necessary to ensure flexibility in crisis situations and to fully integrate with NATO’s defense planning. Critics say this creates too much ambiguity and weakens existing safeguards.
Opposition parties including the Social Democrats, the Left Alliance and the Greens have rejected the government’s approach, calling for explicit legal prohibitions rather than policy-level commitments. Some have also criticized the preparation process and demanded broader parliamentary involvement.
Orpo said he hopes a broad parliamentary consensus can still be reached, but acknowledged that fundamental disagreements remain.
“We have a clear difference of opinion on whether these restrictions belong in legislation or not,” he said.
The issue is expected to be debated in parliament in the coming weeks.
HT