War of Ukraine HS poll: The government has a strong desire to increase the budget for the Defense Forces quickly

On the board There is a strong will to increase the budget of the Defense Forces, as the security situation in Finland has deteriorated since Russia invaded Ukraine last week.

The HS asked all the chairmen of the governing parties whether the defense budget should be increased already this spring.

President of the Republic and Chief of Defense Sauli Niinistö said in an interview with Yle on February 28 that the Defense Forces need to be strengthened. This would mean an increase in appropriations, but the President did not take a position on the increase in appropriations.

The Treasury minister Annika Saarikko (Central) will be negotiated by the Secretary of Defense on Friday Antti Kaikkonen (Central) with defense appropriations.

The government is currently preparing an amending budget for the war in Ukraine, which is due to be submitted to parliament in March.

The first step is to increase internal security by increasing cyber security funding. Cyber ​​security refers to, among other things, the protection of information networks.

In the HS survey the presidencies of the sdp, the center, the greens and the rp are clearly in favor of the withdrawal. The Left Alliance does not seem to oppose the increase either. The survey was conducted by email.

Prime Minister and Chairman of the SDP Sanna Marin says there is a need to increase funding in a changed security environment.

He refers to the budget talks starting on Friday and says the government will assess more specific needs together with the Ministry of Defense and the Defense Forces as soon as possible.

“Internal security resources also need to be strengthened,” says Marin.

“Closer international security and defense co-operation is essential for defense capabilities, and this is being done through NATO’s partnership and bilaterally and multilaterally with close partner countries. The development of the European Union is also key in this area, ”Marin adds.

Downtown The chairman, Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko, reminds that in December Finland decided to acquire US F-35 multi-purpose fighters for ten billion euros.

Read more: Finland has chosen the US-based Lockheed Martin F-35 as its new fighter

“Our security environment has changed, and this will inevitably have an impact on our Defense Forces as well. We are ready to increase the amount of euros used for defense, ”Saarikko replies.

“In preparing new proposals that further strengthen our defense, we rely on the Defense Administration, which makes proposals for the targets, scale and timing of the investments.”

Minister of Justice and the President of the RCP Anna-Maja Henriksson answer the question “yes” to the increase. He says he expects a view from the Department of Defense on the level.

Deputy Chairman of the Greens Iiris Suomela says that “strengthening the security of Finland and Europe is a clear common priority for the parties”.

“I am in favor of increasing the budget of the Defense Forces already this spring, as the Defense Forces have proposed to meet the current and future needs of the national defense. Sufficient resources must also be guaranteed for other security authorities, such as the Border Guard, as defending Finland’s security is not just the task of one actor, but requires extensive investments in various sectors, ”says Suomela.

Minister of Education and the chairman of the Left Alliance Li Andersson not directly Flag in favor of raising funds, but says the needs of the Defense Forces must be taken into account.

He recalls that the budget of the Defense Forces has been significantly increased during this term of government, inter alia, with the acquisition of fighter jets and the acquisition of fleets.

“If the Defense Forces need additional resources, for example, to raise the level of preparedness and prepare for this acute crisis situation, it must naturally be taken into account. However, overall security is an even broader issue, for example in terms of the economy and security of supply. ”