Reader opinion Sweden admires Finland’s crisis management and NATO debate

Opinion|Reader’s opinion

Finland and Sweden’s possible NATO application has gained plenty of column space in both countries since the start of the war in Ukraine. There is no general debate in Sweden, but prosecution, quarreling and domestic political uproar across the board.

We are currently in a situation where the decision is entirely up to the Social Democrats. Indeed, it has been quite a bit of a chase and vatulation since an extremely important and historic decision mixed with the party’s internal schisms. At the same time, the lines are in Finland and the discussion is relevant.

The editorials and columns of Swedish magazines emphasize Finland’s restrained mature and adult behavior and co-operation across party lines, and Sweden’s childish confrontation and eviction of responsibility, respectively. According to the editorial in Dagens Nyheter on Tuesday, the mere fact that President Sauli Niinistö was invited to the White House was a clear indication that Finland has conducted its foreign policy relations in an exemplary manner in all directions.

Already during the corona pandemic, Finland received positive attention in Sweden for its emergency stocks and solid operations.

Now the NATO debate has taken incense to completely new spheres. I have lived in Sweden since 1996 and have never experienced anything like it before. However, this has been completely silenced in the Finnish media. In Finland, where, by the way, we are constantly thinking about what the rest of us think and write about us. Once in the headlines, there is no tragedy that has crossed the news threshold, but genuine admiration for the Finnish state leadership and crisis management. I believe that especially in these times, there would be a subscription for such news coverage.

Kristiina Katajikko

Stockholm, Sweden

The reader’s opinions are the speeches written by HS’s readers, selected and delivered by HS’s editorial staff. You can leave your opinion or read the principles of the article at www.hs.fi/kirjoitamielipidekirjoitus/.