Policy The EU has become a frozen conflict in Finnish politics, writes Unto Hämäläinen

On Wednesday On March 18, 1992, a major state decision was made. Parliament voted on whether Finland should apply for membership of the European Community. In the vote, 133 were in favor, 60 against, three abstentions and three were absent. Speaker Ilkka Suominen (Kok) spoke without the right to vote.

The parliamentary vote started a long controversy in Finnish politics, which is still going on.

The fiercest battle took place in the autumn of 1994, when the Finns first voted in a consultative referendum and then Parliament decided to join the European Union, the current Union, by 152 to 45 votes. The largest parties in favor of joining were the Center Party, the SDP and the Coalition Party.

There was also a heated atmosphere in the spring of 1998, when Parliament voted on the euro. Prime minister Paavo Lipponen (sd) The government proposed accession, which was approved by 135-61 votes. The SDP and the Coalition Party were in favor of euro membership, against the center.

You’re arguing calmed down in the early 2000s as the benefits of the EU began to show. Exports pulled, Nokia’s economy grew and the country prospered. It used to be said that as a member, our position was safer than ever before. Russia and the EU still got along well.

The Union was seen as a dynamic force that simultaneously expanded into Eastern Europe and consolidated its ranks. At the beginning of 2002, twelve Member States adopted the euro.

Marks, francs, liras and other old money were melted into metal. The same was done for the drachma, as Greece was the last to qualify for the euro. The decision was born of the intoxication of success, of good goodness. After all, Greece was the cradle of Western civilization, philosophy, science, art and democracy.

Greece’s entry into the euro proved to be a bad mistake. Greece is hit by a debt crisis that has exacerbated the euro crisis, with more fragile eurozone countries found: Italy, Spain, Ireland and Portugal, which were sealed in the spring 2011 parliamentary elections Timo Soinin big win, jytny.

I voted for the election phrase “Where is the EU, there is a problem” Puri. The Center Party, the Coalition Party and the SDP gained their wings and lost a total of forty parliamentary seats to the Basic Finnish Party, which grew into a large and strongly anti-EU party.

The euro crisis became so deep that the collapse of the euro was considered possible. The break-up of the Union was also predicted. The euro survived, but the Union disintegrated when Britain decided to secede.

Yes to the EU election observers in Wanha Harbor on 16 October 1994. The Yes side won a referendum on joining the EU. Picture: Martti Kainulainen / Lehtikuva

Life is not fair. Just when it seemed that the nip button of the euro crisis was overcome, Russia started fighting in Ukraine. The EU imposed sanctions on Russia. Russia imposed retaliatory sanctions on both sides for almost eight years.

In thirty years, Finland has gained a good reputation in the Union. Finland is not the cause of the problems but the solution to them.

At home, however, rub. Attitudes towards the Union have become a frozen political conflict. Every major EU decision raises a controversy that returns to the familiar situation: two-thirds in favor, one-third against. The last time this happened was when Parliament decided to take part in the Union’s stimulus package.

The division is also reflected in polls about public opinion. Favorable ones are in the majority, but a significant minority is still dissatisfied. The figures do not differ much from the referendum figures: 56.9% in favor of membership and 43.1% against. Of course, it is possible that the events of the last few days will make these numbers new as well.

When the vote on accession in the fall of 1994, there was a lot of talk about Russia.

Proponents say it would be safe to be a member of the EU if Russia ever gets awkward.

Opponents believe that Finland would be insecure if the Union and Russia ever quarreled.

Sometimes it is now.