Veteran MP: "Finnish media in war psychosis"

[Sherman A1]

SDP lawmaker Erkki Tuomioja told America's NPR that the Finnish Nato debate was "emotional."

YLE NEWS
24.4. 03:27
•
Updated 24.4. 07:00

Many people have taken to Finnish Twitter this weekend in reaction to MP Erkki Tuomioja's (SDP) Nato comments in a National Public Radio interview (siirryt toiseen palveluun). The veteran Finnish politician told the US broadcaster that there was a "huge degree of emotions involved" in the public's support of Nato, which has surged since Russia invaded Ukraine.

"Public opinion plays a big role in this, but there is also this ingrained fear, which is actually fueled also by our media, which is in a state of, I would say, war psychosis in a sense," said Tuomioja, who has served as foreign minister in several governments over the past two decades.

Tuomioja, who vice chairs Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, told NPR that he did not believe a Russian attack on Finland was realistic. He said Finnish Nato membership could create tensions with Russia, saying "we have had a very pragmatic relationship with Russia in terms of logistics, environment and regional cooperation."

Tuomioja has not revealed his personal position on Finnish membership in the military alliance. He told NPR, "I'm also concerned about the level of the public debate. Anybody who questions membership is being vilified as a Putin agent."

https://yle.fi/news/3-12415541

[Vogon_Glory]

1. Finland has been given good reason to fear

Russian aggression. Most of the people who lived through the “Winter War” may now be dead, but Russia’s moves in Ukraine have roused old fears.