According to Eva, the results point rather to the prevalent geopolitical uncertainty than to a more profound change in public opinion.

The views varied by factors such as age, gender, political affiliation and socio-economic status.

Reservations about Nato were widespread especially among supporters of the Left Alliance. Over one-third, or 37 per cent, of the left-wing opposition party’s supporters viewed the membership in a positive and 23 per cent in a negative light. The Green League was the only other party with a base that is more sceptical than average about the defence alliance, 63 per cent of them regarding the membership as a positive.

Mikko Laakso, the communication director at Eva, stated to Helsingin Sanomat last week that the results suggest that a “peace wing” is evolving within the Greens and Left Alliance. The scepticism, he gauged, may be linked to discussion about participation in the alliance’s nuclear exercises and US policy toward the Middle East.

The US is Nato’s largest and most influential member.

Over four-fifths, or 77 per cent, of men and almost two-thirds, or 65 per cent, of women have a positive view of Nato, according to Eva. Positive views of the alliance also correlated with older age and higher socio-economic status.

Finland submitted its application to join Nato in May 2022, roughly three months after Russia had launched its ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It officially joined the alliance in April 2023.

Eva also examined public views about the European Union. Over half, or 58 per cent, of respondents revealed that they have a positive view of the 27-country bloc, representing a drop of seven points from the spring. The drop has coincided primarily with an increase in respondents who see the union in a neutral rather than negative light.

The survey was presented to the online panel of Taloustutkimus. It drew a total of 2,018 responses, leaving the margin of error at 2–3 percentage points.

Aleksi Teivainen – HT