Editorial | What is Finland’s advantage in the EU?

Kthe heated EU debate is slowly starting to accelerate towards the European Parliament elections that are a month away. Although the EU is still perceived as difficult and distant, many of the election themes are ultimately clear. Nationalism is predicted to be a significant determinant of the elections. Some of the candidates campaign for the motherland, some against nationalism.

Now, if ever, Europe also has a lot at stake. Safety and competitiveness fundamentally affect the everyday life of all citizens. Digital regulation is also a theme that is naturally related to everyday life. Does the EU have to limit social media waste more tightly or even ban Tiktok?

There is also a heated debate about migration to Europe during the elections. Britain has recently decided to move the asylum application process for illegal immigrants to Rwanda. Return flights to Africa for those crossing the English Channel without permission are scheduled to begin in the summer. The British government is ready to spend huge sums of money on the project, and it has also admitted that it is specifically a deterrent.

Many Europeans, including the Finnish Prime Minister’s Party Kokomosum and its European political group EPP, are in favor of moving the asylum procedure outside the borders of the EU in the wake of the British. What would it cost, how would the human rights obligations be? The same politicians swear by the rule of law. What will the European rule of law be like in the second half of the 2020s?

Bvery many Finnish candidates for the European elections say that they are pursuing the interests of Finland and a stronger defense of Finland than before. The voter should ask what this means. Financial responsibilities binding on the entire EU have not been forgotten. What are Finland’s chances of stopping them? An honest analysis is also needed from politicians on how Finland should approach state subsidies. Should the old principles be broken now that others are doing the same?

Finland is not becoming a net recipient of EU membership fees, that should be admitted in the name of honesty. It is not in Finland’s interest to isolate or curl up in itself, and one of the reasons is Russia’s aggressiveness and unpredictability. Defending Ukraine and Ukraine’s EU membership are also in Finland’s interest, also because of our own security, but they are not cheap or easy things.

The editorials are HS’s positions on a current topic. The articles are prepared by HS’s editorial department, and they reflect the magazine principle line.